2025 NFL Draft: Quarterback Big Board

The 2025 offseason draft cycle is approaching its end with the Combine over, Pro Days ongoing, and free agency on the cusp. Who are the top quarterbacks in this draft class? Is there a franchise-changing star signal-caller among them? Find out which passers made it onto the toughest quarterback big board for 2025 to get into below! Did anything change from the midseason edition of the big board?

Note: All RAS numbers are courtesy of Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb)

1. Cam Ward | 6’2 219 | Miami

Ward is establishing himself as the best quarterback in the class. He has the arm talent to make all the throws look like child’s play. The issue with Ward is that he sometimes gets into too much “hero ball” mode and can’t escape it. Physically, he has all the tools to succeed in the league. He increased his production at the FBS level every season after transferring to Washington State from Incarnate Word. The Miami star is unflappable and is even-keeled in every situation, which bodes well in the maelstrom of the pocket. Ward is also a creative athlete and was a Heisman finalist in 2024. He should be the first overall selection, but the basement is the third overall selection. Comparatively speaking, he’s similar to Geno Smith.

Round Projection: Top 5

Player Comparison: Geno Smith

RAS: N/A

2. Shedeur Sanders | 6’1 212 | Colorado

Sanders is consistently the second-best quarterback in the class and has no qualms about saying he’s the best. His second season in Boulder went better than his first, as he threw for more than 4,100 yards and 37 touchdowns on 74% passing. He was named the Big 12’s OPOY and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner. His offensive line was markedly improved in 2024 as well, surrendering fewer sacks than in 2023. The Colorado star has a good enough arm to make the necessary throws. He has an electric personality that reverberates around the sport, but it allegedly turns some teams off of him. Sanders is a first-round pick that should be selected in the top ten based on positional value and his talent. He compares to Andy Dalton physically, but his playstyle resembles Jameis Winston.

Round Projection: Top Ten

Player Comparison: Andy Dalton / Jameis Winston

RAS: N/A

3. Jaxson Dart | 6’2 223 | Ole Miss

Dart has been a steady riser on the boards since the season ended, and his stock has accelerated into a possible first-round selection. 2024 was a banner season as he finished with over 4,200 yards and 29 touchdowns to six interceptions. System fits will be a question for teams as Lane Kiffin’s passing attack features scheming receivers open instead of the quarterback making plays. He will also have to answer for his substandard finishes in the final three games of the regular season. While Dart doesn’t have a rocket arm, he does have the arm talent to make all the necessary throws. Physically, he compares to J.J. McCarthy, but stylistically, he profiles similar to Graham Harrell.

Round Projection: First to Second

Player Comparison: J.J. McCarthy / Graham Harrell

RAS: N/A

4. Jalen Milroe | 6’2 217 | Alabama

Milroe could be the most intriguing quarterback prospect in the class. He could’ve elected to stay for his senior season at Alabama but decided to go pro. He presents a true dual-threat asset not seen in college since the heyday of Lamar Jackson. 2024 was a down season for him as he adjusted to a new offensive system brought by Kalen DeBoer. While he ended the bowl game with a whimper, he still is a talented quarterback who could go as high as the second round. The former Crimson Tide legend accepted the invite to the Senior Bowl, where his stock was neutral in the best of circumstances. Milroe has one of the strongest arms in the class and compares favorably to Zach Wilson.

Round Projection: Second

Player Comparison: Zach Wilson

RAS: N/A

5. Dillon Gabriel | 5’11 205 | Oregon

The Oregon signal caller didn’t perform as expected during the Senior Bowl and followed up with an inconsistent Combine. Still, Gabriel possesses immense production and holds the record for the most touchdown passes in NCAA history. He also holds the record for the most career starts. However, one thing that will limit him at the next level is his size. Gabriel is the perfect passer for a team that employs a pace-and-space, rhythm-based attack. He possibly could sneak into the latter stages of Day 2 but should settle into early to middle of Day 3. Former Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener is his physical and stylistic comparison.

Round Projection: Third to Fourth

Player Comparison: Jake Haener

RAS: N/A

6. Quinn Ewers | 6’2 214 | Texas

The Longhorns passer has steadily risen on the boards since a good performance at the Combine, after leading Texas to a College Football Playoff appearance. He possesses a strong arm that can make all the throws, on or off platform. Teams will question his medical file, as he missed some time during the 2024 season. There were some inconsistencies, as he did not perform up to standard against Georgia twice last season. Ewers is a poised passer who endured significant pressure with Arch Manning looming in the background. His accuracy improved during the 2024 season as well. Stylistically, he is similar to former Ole Miss passer Matt Corral. Ewers should be an early Day 3 selection.

Round Projection: Fourth

Player Comparison: Matt Corral

RAS: N/A

7. Will Howard | 6’4 236 | Ohio State

After a “middling” regular season, Howard went on an epic run in the College Football Playoff, leading the Buckeyes to a national championship. Doing so, he vaulted up the 2025 quarterback big board rankings. Howard brings the prototypical size and arm talent that teams look for in his position. Consistency is his biggest problem, as he’s shown the ability to make big-time throws but can’t hit singles or doubles frequently. When he is on, the former Buckeye has the IQ and ability to layer the throws to his talented receivers over and through defenders. He scored an impressive 8.75 RAS at the Combine. A plus athlete who can occasionally make things happen in the run game. Stylistically, his direct comparison is former Missouri star passer-turned-veteran backup Drew Lock.

Round Projection: Fifth to Sixth

Player Comparison: Drew Lock

RAS: 8.75

8. Tyler Shough | 6’5 219 | Louisville

Shough has had an interesting career, starting at Oregon, transferring to Texas Tech, and transferring a second time to Louisville. He finally proved that he could stay healthy during the 2024 season with the Cardinals. The Louisville passer had the best season of his long career in 2024 and earned an invite to the Senior Bowl. It has been a meteoric rise for him during this offseason cycle, as he impressed in Mobile before showing out at the Combine. Teams will be poring over his medical file with a fine-toothed comb, as he’s had multiple injuries in his career. However, he has the arm talent and IQ to be a starter in the league. Physically, he profiles similar to Kenny Pickett. In terms of play style, he resembles Alex Smith, who had a lengthy career in the league.

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

Player Comparison: Kenny Pickett / Alex Smith

RAS: 9.53

9. Riley Leonard | 6’4 216 | Notre Dame

The Notre Dame signal caller showed tremendous toughness during the playoff run and throughout his career, getting up after multiple hits time after time. He transferred to the Fighting Irish after a solid job at Duke. Teams will be interested in his medical file as he’s battled several injuries. A dual-threat weapon that he can maneuver around the pocket and run if he needs to. While he won’t blow anyone away with his foot speed, he has enough quickness to surprise defenders. Entering the 2024 season, there was some hype that Leonard would be a first-round prospect, but that has settled into Day 3. He has a quick release and is a plus processor from the pocket. Leonard doesn’t have a cannon arm but can make all the necessary throws. He was invited to the Senior Bowl and stylistically resembles Desmond Ridder.

Round Projection: Sixth

Player Comparison: Desmond Ridder

RAS: N/A

10. Kurtis Rourke | 6’4 220 | Indiana

Rourke is a productive passer who transferred to Indiana from Ohio, where he played with his older brother, Nathan. The Canadian-born Hoosier star is a quarterback with the knowledge and ability to make any throw look easy. He navigates the pocket well despite not being the quickest athlete. While he doesn’t have the arm strength of others in the class, he can place throws where they need to go in the short and intermediate range. He’s been very productive at both stops, leading the surging Hoosiers to a surprising playoff spot in the highly competitive Big Ten. Rourke was invited to the Shrine Game. The prospect is on a developmental backup trajectory as currently constituted. Physically, he resembles longtime NFL backup quarterback Chase Daniel.

Round Projection: Seventh

Player Comparison: Chase Daniel

RAS: N/A

11. Kyle McCord | 6’3 218 | Syracuse

McCord used his final season of collegiate eligibility well at Syracuse after not faring as well as the starter at Ohio State in 2023. He threw for over 4,700 yards and 34 touchdowns. He’s not the quickest or fastest athlete, so teams must work around that. The former Orange passer completed 66% of his passes in 2024 with limited arm talent. He doesn’t have the strongest arm, but his quick release makes up for it. McCord finished the 2024 season on a monstrous hot streak, going 4-0 in his last four games while throwing 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The East-West Shrine Game was his postseason destination. He’s a late-round developmental backup prospect who profiles like former Notre Dame starter Jack Coan.

Round Projection: Sixth to Seventh

Player Comparison: Jack Coan

RAS: N/A

12. Brady Cook | 6’2 214 | Missouri

Cook is an elite athlete for the position, and the Combine proved it with his testing numbers. He ran a 4.59 in the 40 and had a 37″ vertical jump. His arm talent isn’t as good as others, but he was productive when he was healthy. Cook had a great 2023 season, throwing for over 3,300 yards and 21 touchdowns, getting himself on the draft radar. The 2024 season was a down season where he only threw 11 touchdowns and 2,500 yards. Athletically, Cook compares favorably to former Georgia quarterback D.J. Shockley. He should be a late Day 3 selection as a developmental project type of backup quarterback. Cook accepted his invitation to the Hula Bowl. His prior production and athleticism made him leap onto the 2025 off-season version of this quarterback big board.

Round Projection: Sixth to Seventh

Player Comparison: D.J. Shockley

RAS: 9.71