2025 NFL draft QB rankings: Ward, Sanders, Dart, Milroe

The 2025 NFL draft is three weeks away, with Round 1 starting April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It will be televised on ESPN and the ESPN app.

There were six quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks in 2024, including each of the top three selections. Don't expect a repeat, though, as this class isn't as loaded at the top, nor is it as deep below it. But there are some intriguing passers, with a few having separated themselves from the pack.

How do the QBs in the 2025 class stack up right now? It's time to update my 2025 QB Hot Board and rank every signal-caller who has a chance to be drafted. This list goes 12 deep and includes the latest info I've gathered in my conversations with scouts and front office personnel. I'll go through the strengths and weaknesses of all 12 quarterbacks, along with updates on each passer's draft stock.

1. Cam Ward, Miami

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 219 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Round 1

Where he excels: Recent years have seen transfer QBs make significant leaps in their development with new schools and fly up draft boards. Examples are Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, who turned Heisman Trophy-winning seasons at LSU into top-two selections. Ward, who moved from Incarnate Word to Washington State to Miami over five seasons, is that player in the 2025 class.

Ward threw for 4,313 yards, an FBS-high 39 touchdown passes and seven interceptions this past season. He is an electrifying playmaker who led Miami to a 10-3 record, its best mark since 2017. He can throw from multiple arm slots and generate velocity with ease no matter the positioning of his body, like a shortstop maneuvering the infield. His 88.7 Total QBR ranked second in the country, and his 29 completions of 20-plus air yards tied for fifth.

What is most impressive is Ward's poise and calm demeanor. He was his best in the biggest moments of the season, especially in fourth quarters. His 93.3 QBR in the fourth quarter ranked third in the FBS, and he orchestrated comeback wins against Virginia Tech and Cal, which included 238 fourth-quarter passing yards against the Golden Bears.

Ward went through a 65-pass script on March 24 at Miami's pro day in front of all 32 teams. Multiple scouts came away with positive comments following the workout, which showcased Ward's electric arm and accuracy. "He can put easy velocity behind it and throw from all different types of arm angles," an AFC area scout texted me following the session. There's a good chance Ward is selected by the Titans with the No. 1 pick.

Where he needs work: Ward is a work in progress when it comes to controlling careless plays and head-scratching decisions outside of structure that lead to turnovers, with his pick-six against Cal being a prime example. He also had spurts of inaccuracy against Georgia Tech, helping contribute to Miami's first loss of the season.

"He has times where he has to scratch his itch for reckless plays, and it leaves you asking, 'What the heck was he thinking there?'" a different AFC area scout said during the season. "I like him and don't know if that can be coached out of him."

Scouts want to see Ward get the ball out quicker, too. His 2.91-second average time before pass ranked 100th in the FBS. He has a habit of looking off open options in the short-to-intermediate areas of progressions to search for explosive plays.

2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 212 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Round 1

Where he excels: When protected in the pocket, Sanders' rhythm, calm demeanor and accuracy are among the best in the country. He shows great ball location in the short and underneath areas.

Sanders had 4,134 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this past season. Despite facing pressure on 40.3% of his dropbacks (15th highest in the FBS), he ranked first in completion percentage (74%). His poise and ball placement improved throughout the season. Sanders' 6.5% off-target rate was the third-lowest mark in the FBS, as he allows his receivers to easily get yards after the catch.

"He's been the best of the bunch to me, and I've been impressed by his growth this year," an assistant GM from an NFC team said. "The on-field demeanor has been contagious so far, and the results have shown on that team."

Sanders' 11 go-ahead touchdown passes were tied for the second most in the FBS. As moments heighten, his heartbeat remains the same. And it's that unwavering confidence that most excites scouts. Multiple sources mentioned how well Sanders interviewed during the combine and Shrine Bowl week. They said he came across as genuine and open, and they all praised his understanding of the game.

Where he needs work: The consensus from evaluators is Sanders must get the ball out quicker. He averaged 2.96 seconds before throwing last season, which tied for 110th in the FBS. And while plenty of blame can be put on his inconsistent protection, he needs to trust his expiring internal clock and distribute. He tends to drift backward or search for escape lanes from the side of the pocket.

Sanders also needs to cut down on taking avoidable sacks and compounding mistakes; his 7.5% sack-per-dropback rate tied for 23rd highest in the country, and the 42 sacks he took were the most in the FBS. It was the second straight season Sanders led the FBS in that category, as he took 52 in 2023. Under offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, Colorado's passing attack evolved into more of an underneath scheme, as Sanders averaged only 7.4 air yards per attempt (103rd in the FBS).

Therefore, scouts have mixed opinions on where Sanders will be picked. There are some evaluators who believe it'd be hard for the Browns or Giants to pass on picking a QB at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, but others have Sanders graded as a late first-round selection.

3. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 223 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Round 1 to mid Day 2

Where he excels: Dart began his college career at USC in 2021 before transferring to Ole Miss, where he started the past three seasons in Lane Kiffin's up-tempo offense. He threw for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024, and his completion percentage was 69.3%, the fourth straight season he improved.

Dart is a fluid thrower with the arm strength to attack all parts of the field and stretch the ball vertically, as his 11.1 air yards per attempt ranked fifth in the FBS. He also can get the ball out quickly with perimeter passes, and he couples that touch with his arm strength; his 80.9% catchable ball rate ranked 10th.

He completed his pro day workout on March 28 in front of NFL personnel. He went through a 70-pass script that included various throws from different platforms. There was a clear emphasis on throwing from under center, which Dart wasn't asked to do often in the high-octane Ole Miss offense. That, along with multistep progressions and quick, in-rhythm passes, are what scouts have been paying close attention to this offseason.

Dart's B-level arm strength and deep accuracy were showcased throughout the workout. He made multiple impressive downfield passes, continuing momentum that started during the Senior Bowl and carried over to the combine. He could be picked as high as the Saints at No. 9 overall, but I see Dart as more of a Day 2 passer.

Where he needs work: Scouts have concerns about how much Kiffin's offense prepares quarterbacks for the NFL. Kiffin knows how to generate open space for receivers, with 34.2% of Dart's passes this past season being labeled as wide-open attempts (11th in the FBS).

"Passers in that offense are always hard to project because everything's so open," an area scout for an NFC team said during the season. "I think he has a nice arm, but there's hardly any progressions, and Lane's scheming guys open so well."

Can he continue to adapt to performing multistep progressions? He has shown progress during the predraft circuit. Dart's development will hinge on that continuing, along with how he adjusts to being in a huddle and relaying plays in that setting, which he wasn't asked to do at Ole Miss.

4. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 217 pounds
Class: Junior | Projected range: Mid-to-late Day 2

Where he excels: Milroe was the quarterback that I was most impressed with from the pro day circuit. While he had a 65-pass throwing session, the highlight of his workout was his 40-yard dash. Scouts that I talked to had him running as fast as 4.41 seconds, and he will be one of the NFL's most dynamic quarterbacks from a mobility perspective. He also has a powerful arm which he has displayed during the predraft circuit. 

Milroe found open targets in Alabama's system and could excel in an NFL offense that uses his running skills. He showed more patience from the pocket this past season, slowing down his internal clock and not scrambling as soon as pressure hits. He is a tremendously competitive runner who developed into one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. In 13 games, he threw for 2,844 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He added 726 yards and another 20 scores on the ground, and his 78.4 Total QBR ranked eighth in the FBS.

I was in attendance for Milroe's performance against LSU, when he finished with 109 passing yards and 185 rushing yards with four touchdowns in a blowout victory. Multiple scouts that I talked to are intrigued by the former Alabama QB not only because of his unique traits, but also the potential of molding his game around them.

"He has so much potential, but it's going to take patience and true development over time to eventually see the end product," an NFC personnel director said. "There's no way he gets outside of the second round because of the traits, and someone with time on their side will love the challenge of developing him, especially in this QB class."

Where he needs work: Milroe's accuracy and feel in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field and throwing from all pre-snap platforms aren't quite developed, and he was inconsistent at the Senior Bowl and the combine. His rhythm and timing were thrown off by taking snaps under center, something he didn't often do at Alabama. He still needs a lot of refinement as a passer and the pre-snap mechanics of playing from different platforms will be an adjustment. Milroe also struggled with seeing defenders sinking into windows on shorter passes.

He also takes too long to get the ball out on throws in which he's asked to make pre-snap reads and execute. Milroe's 2.86-second time to throw ranked 92nd in the country, as Alabama's offense consisted primarily of deeper throws downfield. Another area in which he has struggled is throws against man coverage, with a 40.1 QBR that ranked 109th.

He's likely a couple of seasons away from being a full-time contributor. There have been flashes during the predraft process, but there's still a lot of inconsistency sprinkled in. The team that drafts Milroe will have to have patience and a clear plan that enables his development to play out long-term. He can likely be utilized in various packages as a periodic passer or on designed QB runs while he develops.

5. Kyle McCord, Syracuse

Height: 6-foot-3 | Weight: 218 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 2 to Early Day 3

Where he excels: Many evaluators have been complimentary of McCord throughout the predraft process. "He was the best QB at the Shrine Game and it wasn't even close," an NFC North area scout said.

He carried that over to the combine with a steady throwing session. He shined with his ball placement, showing anticipation by throwing the ball to spots where his receivers could easily grab it. His physical traits aren't as gaudy as some of his counterparts, though his arm is stronger than I thought after watching him in person.

His performance on the predraft circuit is a continuation of the growth he showed at Syracuse. McCord had solid stats at Ohio State in 2023 (3,170 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions) but didn't show high-upside, pro-ready attributes. But when I visited Syracuse practices during preseason camp, it was clear he looked more comfortable in first-year coach Fran Brown's scheme. The move paid off, as McCord had an FBS-leading 4,779 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season.

McCord displayed quick decision-making, getting rid of the ball in 2.46 seconds on average, the seventh-fastest rate in the FBS. He understands his limitations and plays in structure, immediately taking what's available early in his progressions. But he also showed the ability to push the ball down the field, as his 36 completions on passes of 20 or more air yards led the FBS. I have a Round 4 grade on McCord, but he could hear his name called as early as the end of Day 2.

Where he needs work: While he showed drastic improvement at the combine, McCord still has room for growth in ball placement. He's effective at getting the ball to the correct spots on his reads, but locations within the strike zone tend to be unpredictable. His 11% off-target rate ranked 48th in the FBS.

"It's clear that he knows where to go with it, but receivers still have to work way too hard to catch it at times," an AFC national scout said during the season.

A nightmare five-interception performance against Pittsburgh in October highlighted many of McCord's flaws. Head-scratching decision-making when facing early pressure forced him into the worst game of his career. And his 12 interceptions were tied for fifth most in the FBS.

6. Tyler Shough, Louisville

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 219 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 2 to Early Day 3

Where he excels: Shough has traveled a long road, starting at Oregon in 2018, where he spent his first two seasons as a backup behind current Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. He transferred to Texas Tech after the 2020 season, then again to Louisville before the 2024 season. Shough set career highs in passing yards (3,195) and touchdown passes (23) this past season along with six interceptions. He is a tall pocket passer and an accurate distributor.

He has clean footwork and drop timing and can execute multiple pre-snap mechanics. Shough can play from under center and out of the shotgun and isn't hesitant to test the deeper parts of the field, yet he shows a feathery downfield touch. His 21 completions on passes of 20 yards or more downfield ranked 23rd in FBS.

Shough's name is trending throughout the league, and many scouts have discussed him with me since the conclusion of the season. He has been praised for his perseverance and toughness as he battled back from multiple injuries in his career to emerge as one of the more intriguing options outside the early rounds.

Where he needs work: Even though he played seven seasons of college football, Shough hasn't mastered getting rid of the ball quickly. His 2.99 seconds to throw ranked 114th in the FBS. He must make quicker decisions and trust what he sees, especially in the intermediate areas of the field.

And speaking of experience, Shough turns 26 in September. Though he'll be one of the oldest prospects in the class, many teams I've spoken to see that experience as a positive. Don't be surprised to hear Shough's name called as early as Round 2 or 3.

7. Quinn Ewers, Texas

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 214 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Early-to-mid Day 3

Where he excels: Ewers threw for 2,665 yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this past season, and his completion percentage of 65.8% ranked 26th in the nation. He played well against major opponents, with his best game of this past season coming in Week 2 against Michigan, when he finished with 246 passing yards and three touchdowns. Another moment that scouts frequently bring up is his game-saving throw on fourth-and-13 in overtime of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. Multiple evaluators have applauded Ewers' tremendous poise in such a heightened moment.

Ewers sat out two games early in the season because of an abdominal strain before returning against Oklahoma in Week 7, throwing for 199 yards with a touchdown and an interception in a 34-3 win. He also had to deal with adversity beyond the injury. He was benched in the first half of Texas' Week 8 loss to Georgia for redshirt freshman Arch Manning, but returned after halftime to throw two touchdown passes.

"He's tough as nails mentally because all of the background noise is impossible to ignore," an AFC area scout said.

Ewers completed a 60-pass script at a heavily attended Texas pro day on March 25. As expected, his ball placement on underneath throws shined. But his most comfortable throws came off play-action, as Ewers excels when executing concepts that start with quick fakes out of the shotgun or play-action from under center. A scheme that incorporates those types of passes mixed with run-pass options will maximize his strengths.

Where he needs work: Texas' offense mostly shifted away from deep passes in 2024, going for more of a quick passing attack. Ewers threw a higher percentage of passes at or behind the line of scrimmage (34.2%) than all but seven of 129 qualified passers, and his 7.1 yards per attempt ranked 110th. Texas' downfield passing game was mostly nonexistent last season, depriving scouts of opportunities to see whether Ewers' downfield touch and accuracy had improved in games.

Ewers looked more comfortable at the combine with these types of passes, as he was able to connect frequently down the field. But he had some inconsistent moments during his pro day session pushing the ball down the field or moving off the original launch point.

Scouts have also flagged Ewers' tendency to panic when under duress. His 12.0 QBR when facing pressure ranked 83rd in the country, as he didn't show the awareness and suddenness to consistently escape a collapsing pocket. Durability is also another area NFL evaluators question; he sat out seven games because of injuries over the past three seasons.

8. Will Howard, Ohio State

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 236 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Mid Day 3

Where he excels: There wasn't a prospect who did more for his draft stock during the College Football Playoff than Howard. Following his worst performance of the season against Michigan in the regular-season finale, he threw for 1,150 passing yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions during the Buckeyes' four-game run to win the national championship.

Howard was comfortable in the pocket and scanned through his progressions efficiently. His accuracy impressed me the most, as he completed over 80% of his passes in two of the four games (Tennessee and Notre Dame). Howard's growth was evident, and he boosted his stock multiple rounds during Ohio State's championship run. 

He took advantage of the Buckeyes' many playmakers in 2024 after transferring from Kansas State, throwing for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He added another seven scores on the ground. Howard is a dual-threat passer with a good enough arm and the mobility to be an extension of the run game. His 89.6 QBR led all passers in the FBS.

Howard performed a 65-pass script in front of all 32 teams at Ohio State's pro day. He showed efficiency down the field and over the middle, two types of throws that were emphasized during the workout. "He's big, mobile, and just look how that team responded to his hot run late in the year," an AFC scout said following the workout.

Where he needs work: Many of Howard's warts show up when defenses speed up his processing. He tends to drop his eyes and immediately look for running lanes. He must become more patient and read progressions even at the hint of pressure.

Another factor is how open the Buckeyes' targets tend to be when making completions, as 34.8% of Howard's attempts last season were deemed as wide open, the ninth-highest mark in the FBS. Scouts want to see more throws into tight windows or contested coverages because that's what he'll have to do in the NFL.

Howard struggled with his ball placement at the combine, especially on dig routes over the middle. The lack of familiarity with the receivers in Indy showed, as his accuracy was sporadic and he had trouble throwing to spots. QBs at the combine often struggle in syncing up with the timing of receivers they've never worked with, but Howard's issues are worth noting.

9. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Height: 5-foot-11 | Weight: 205 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Mid Day 3

Where he excels: Gabriel was one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football history, as the left-handed passer threw for 18,722 yards and 155 touchdowns over six college seasons, including stints at UCF (2019-21) and Oklahoma (2022-23) before he transferred to Oregon. He thrived with the Ducks, leading them to a 13-0 regular-season record and a Big Ten championship this past season.

His completion percentage increased each season of his career, and his 72.9% in 2024 ranked third in the FBS. Gabriel is at his best when he can attack underneath voids in defenses, which helps him take advantage of space in shallow areas while mixing in occasional deep shots.

He displayed those traits in the last two days of Senior Bowl practices. His touch, anticipation and accuracy were noteworthy, as he had multiple layered throws that caught my attention. He understands his limitations and is able to see windows before they open and throw the ball to spots he expects targets to reach.

Where he needs work: Gabriel has below-average arm strength and throws a lot of perimeter screens and short routes intended to generate yards after the catch. He averaged only 6.5 air yards per attempt, which ranked 122nd out of 129 qualified passers. These short passes are often easy throws, as Gabriel threw 36% of his passes to wide-open receivers, the fourth-highest rate in the FBS.

He didn't have a lot of velocity behind his throws at the combine, either, but his anticipation and drop timing were noteworthy. That anticipation -- which we saw with him throwing the ball prematurely on several routes in Indianapolis to time it up -- is necessary with his lack of arm strength.

He also endured an adjustment period at the Senior Bowl, struggling to take snaps cleanly from under center during the first day before playing better the next two. He will need to be in an offense that utilizes multiple RPOs and takes advantage of the middle of the field to capitalize on his quick release, accuracy and split-second decision-making.

10. Max Brosmer, Minnesota

Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 217 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 3/UDFA

Where he excels: Brosmer made the FCS-to-FBS transition quite nicely, throwing for 2,828 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions this past season while showing steady growth. That followed a great career at New Hampshire, where he racked up 8,467 passing yards and 68 touchdowns in four seasons, including an FCS-best 3,459 yards in 2023.

Brosmer is a quick passer with unwavering confidence and a constant chip on his shoulder. He has an average arm but gets the ball out quickly. Both his completion percentage (66.5%) and off-target percentage (9.4%) ranked in the top 25 of the FBS and demonstrated his understanding of how to place the ball in tight coverage.

Brosmer had an impressive showing during the final two days of practices at the Shrine Bowl. His accuracy and decision-making in the red zone were among the best of the group. He consistently played on time and even squeezed multiple passes into tight windows against different types of coverages.

If I had to circle one QB who could be a popular candidate for a Round 6 or 7 flier, it would be Brosmer. He shares similar traits to longtime NFL backups who spend a decade or more in the league.

Where he needs work: Brosmer's inconsistent drive strength on throws shows on tape and was noticeable at the combine, as some of his passes tail off as they get closer to their targets, especially over the middle. He also is prone to hanging on to the ball too long when looking for a bigger play instead of checking down. That results in sacks, as he took 26 last season, 32nd most in the FBS.

11. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 220 pounds
Class: Redshirt senior | Projected range: Late Day 3/UDFA

Where he excels: Rourke has quietly created interest in NFL circles, as he racked up 7,651 passing yards and 61 total touchdowns (50 passing, 11 rushing) in five seasons at Ohio before transferring to Indiana. He had 3,042 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2024, helping lead the Hoosiers to their first College Football Playoff appearance. His 69.4% completion percentage ranked eighth in the FBS, and multiple NFL decision-makers I've spoken to have taken note of his play.

"Why aren't more people talking about this guy?" a scouting director for an AFC team said during the season. "He's had nothing but success on two levels, and there hasn't been any drop-off since he moved up."

Where he needs work: Rourke needs to be more efficient through his progressions. There are times when he gets stuck on the first or second read instead of eliminating them quickly based on pre- and post-snap structures. Hanging on to those routes with the hope they come open resulted in him missing other open options or being forced to escape avoidable pressure.

There are also injury concerns with Rourke, who played with a torn right ACL last season and underwent surgery in January. He did not throw at the combine, as he's still recovering from the surgery. He played all season on the injury, which was the second time he tore his right ACL. He originally injured the knee in 2022 while playing at Ohio.

12. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 216 pounds
Class: Senior | Projected range: Late Day 3/UDFA

Where he excels: Leonard spent the first three seasons of his career (2021-23) at Duke, where he passed for a combined 4,450 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He transferred to Notre Dame with considerable expectations.

A dual-threat passer, Leonard finished his only season with the Irish throwing for 2,861 yards, 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions while adding another 906 yards and 17 scores on the ground. Leonard is a quick-game operator who thrives in a timing-based offense. He excels when he gets the ball out quickly, and his 78.7 QBR last season ranked 12th in the FBS.

He has more than enough mobility to escape and create outside of the structure of the offense. He's also a tough runner on designed QB runs. Excluding sacks, Leonard's 1,012 rushing yards were the eighth most among QBs.

Where he needs work: The Irish offense didn't venture to the intermediate or deeper parts of the field. Leonard averaged only 7.1 air yards per passing attempt (83rd in FBS), which shows that the team stayed in the underneath areas. He was asked to throw deeper passes at the combine, and the lack of drive strength on the throws was apparent, especially when he had to step into passes and display velocity.

When the initial option isn't open, Leonard tends to hang on to the ball or immediately drop his eyes to look for available running lanes. He needs to have more play patience by continuing to stay on schedule through the next steps of his progressions.