Year 1 Outlook – 2025 QB Class
There were 13 QBs selected just a few weeks ago. Let’s take a look at their 2025-2026 season outlook!
Cam Ward: The Titans are giving the keys of the offense to Ward. He will not have to worry about veteran competition or any mistakes. He is the sole QB (barring injury) that will start for Tennessee in 2025. I believe he will have a good season, similar to the season Caleb Williams had just a year ago.
Jaxson Dart: One of the more surprising QB picks, Dart will likely sit his entire rookie season. He will have plenty of opportunity to start in the future, but Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston will be battling for QB1.
Tyler Shough: There is increasing noise about Derek Carr and his shoulder injury. Assuming he sits out the season, Tyler Shough is in a pretty good position. He will have to beat out a 3rd string, former 4th round pick and a backup, former 5th round pick. If he does that, I don’t see why he won’t have a decent rookie season at the helm for NOLA.
Jalen Milroe: The uber athletic Milroe won’t have much of a shot in year 1, as Sam Darnold is getting a hefty amount of cash in 2025. Milroe will likely come in for some running packages out of pistol or wildcat. Year 2 is when it’ll start getting hot for Jalen.
Dillon Gabriel: There wasn’t much celebration amongst Browns fans for this pick, but Gabriel has a decent shot at starting year 1. Gabriel is a season college player who has played in a few systems. There is an equal chance for everyone in that Browns QB room to win that job.
Shedeur Sanders: The next QB off the board also went to the Browns. Shedeur is more talented than Gabriel, but there seems to be a low level of confidence in Sanders’ ability amongst the Cleveland brass. If he wins the job, it will definitely boost broadcast views for Browns games.
Kyle McCord: The Eagles continue to spend late round picks on potential backup QBs. Tanner McKee pushed Kenny Pickett out of Philadelphia after the season, and now McCord has a chance to repay the favour. The odds are McCord will end up on Philly’s practice squad.
Will Howard: The Steelers have the worst QB room in the NFL. Outside of Cam Ward, Will Howard has the best shot at starting year 1. It wouldn’t be pretty, but Howard has an NFL arm and good athleticism.
Riley Leonard: Leonard will be the 3rd string behind Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson. He has a high chance of staying on the roster given the history of injuries between Jones and Richardson.
Graham Mertz: Many were surprised to see Mertz drafted, but he was extremely impressive at his pro day. He has untapped potential. His biggest obstacle is sticking on a roster and getting playtime.
Cam Miller: The former FCS star will be the 3rd string QB behind O’Connell and Smith. He is athletic and was praised by Tom Brady in the pre draft process. He has a chance to impress in the pre season.
Kurtis Rourke: The Canadian-born QB was playing with a hand injury and torn ACL for most of the Hoosier’s playoff push. He won’t compete for a starting job, but he has the tools that the Shanahan tree requires.
Quinn Ewers: The Dolphins got a steal in round 7, given the injury history of QBs Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson. Ewers was deemed a 4th rounder by some NFL brass. Barring injury, he won’t see the field in year 1, but has a chance to flourish in the McDaniel system.