The eve of the 2025 NFL Draft is upon us, as the league’s annual three-day soiree officially kicks off in roughly 24 hours from Green Bay, Wisconsin. In the meantime, all 32 NFL teams are putting the finishing touches on their individual draft boards, as scouts and executives alike make sure every “i” is dotted and “t” is crossed before they’re officially “on the clock.”
And as tends to be the case, the most controversial position is quarterback, where there’s little consensus among NFL personnel where many of the draft-eligible QBs could fall in the 2025 NFL Draft, especially on Day 1. In fact, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, only Miami‘s Cam Ward is a sure-fire first-round selection Thursday night, and he’s expected to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans.
Given that uncertainty with the most important position on the field, Pelissero revealed the good and bad that he’s heard from NFL coaches, executives and scouts about the 18 quarterbacks that could ultimately be selected during the NFL Draft this weekend.
Check out how NFL coaches, execs rank the QBs in the 2025 NFL Draft, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero:
As Pelissero points out, Ward — who is widely expected to go No. 1 overall to the Titans — is the only 2025 quarterback certain to be selected on Day 1, Thursday. And the reigning Davey O’Brien Award winner certainly deserves it after betting on himself and returning to college in 2024, where he threw a school-record and FBS-leading 39 touchdowns during his lone season in Miami.
Pelissero: “Asked where Ward would’ve ranked in last year’s draft, most scouts and coaches placed him somewhere between Michael Penix Jr. (the fourth QB taken) and Bo Nix (sixth), and below the Caleb Williams–Jayden Daniels–Drake Maye group that went 1-2-3.”
Whether it’s because of his NFL Hall of Fame father, Deion Sanders, or his “freewheeling play style,” Sanders remains arguably the most polarizing player in this year’s draft class. While scouts gush over his accuracy — he led the FBS with a 74.0 completion percentage in 2024 — the other parts of Sanders game are less impressive, including his propensity to hold onto the football longer than necessary.
Pelissero: “Sanders’ size (6-1 1/2, 212) and surprisingly limited athletic profile (given his potential genetic advantages) help explain why some scouts and coaches don’t have a first-round grade on him.”
Dart, who surpassed Eli Manning as Ole Miss’ all-time leading passer (10,617 career yards in Oxford) in 2024, has garnered plenty of first-round buzz the past few weeks, with some even projecting him as a potential Top 10 selection. And, as Pelissero pointed out, there are some NFL teams that have Dart ranked ahead of Shedeur Sanders on their draft boards.
Pelissero: “One NFC GM said Dart would’ve been in the conversation with Penix and J.J. McCarthy as the fourth or fifth quarterback in last year’s stacked QB draft, based on his arm and overall talent level.”
Milroe is another likely Day 2 selection that has earned some late-Round 1 consideration given his potential as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback. A two-year starter at Alabama who rushed for 20 touchdowns in 2024, Milroe has drawn interesting comps to Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson as a buy-low project that could become an All-Pro with time.
Pelissero: “Although he remains raw as a passer, Milroe’s rare combination of traits and playmaking ability has drawn favorable comparisons to some of the NFL’s most dynamic talents.”
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The 25-year-old Shough is a well-traveled prospect who finally broke out during the 2024 seasn at Louisville after six injury-plagued seasons at Oregon and Texas Tech. According to Pelissero, NFL personnel like Shough’s experience, but continue to raise red flags about his injury history, including a broken collarbone, shoulder injury and broken leg during three years in Lubbock.
Pelissero: “Several coaches expressed reservations about how the volume of injuries may have impacted Shough’s play style, particularly how he functions under duress.”
There’s a significant drop-off outside of the Top 5, with the former Longhorns signal-caller leading the way amongst the next tier according to Pelissero. NFL execs give Ewers credit for producing in Steve Sarkisian‘s pro-style offense in Austin, but there are clear conflicting opinions on his potential in the NFL.
Pelissero: “Ewers’ small frame, injury history and overall average traits are why he’s not expected to come off the board sooner.”
The former Buckeyes QB was instrumental in guiding Ohio State to the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship this past season, including elevating his game down the stretch. But questions remain about his arm despite leading the Big Ten with 4,010 passing yards in 2024.
Pelissero: “Coaches point to mechanical issues as a factor in Howard’s lack of velocity and inconsistent accuracy downfield.”
NFL personnel see a lot to like about McCord’s intangibles, especially after leading the FBS with an ACC-record 4,779 passing yards during his lone season at Syracuse in 2024. But questions remain about his arm strength and how he will be able to handle defensive pressure in the NFL.
Pelissero: “McCord threw five interceptions — including three pick-sixes in the first half — in a loss to Pitt last October, but rebounded to throw 15 TDs and just one interception the rest of the season.”
The 24-year-old Gabriel is another well-traveled quarterback that proved his merit over six collegiate seasons, setting the FBS record for total touchdowns (188) and career starts as a QB (63) during stops at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. Still, teams question his NFL potential as a 5-foot-11, left-handed QB.
Pelissero: “To some, Gabriel is a mini-Tua (Tagovailoa): great accuracy and timing, with a frame that raises questions about whether he can hold up for an entire NFL season.”
At 6-foot-3 and nearly 220-pounds, Leonard certainly looks the part of an NFL quarterback, but his raw talents have some in the NFL considering him a Day 3 developmental selection. Still, his ability as both a runner (2,130 career yards and 36 TDs) and a passer (7,311 yards and 45 TDs) leave room for hope.
Pelissero: “Leonard’s scattershot passing is the biggest concern, which likely is a reflection of his ongoing development learning the position.”
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11. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana (Round 7/priority free agent)
12. Max Brosmer, Minnesota (Round 7/priority free agent)
13. Cam Miller, North Dakota State (Round 7/priority free agent)
14. Graham Mertz, Florida (Round 7/priority free agent)
15. Tommy Mellott, Montana State (Round 7/priority free agent)
16. Seth Henigan, Memphis (Round 7/priority free agent)
17. Brady Cook, Missouri (Round 7/priority free agent)
18. Donovan Smith, Houston (Round 7/priority free agent)
