Newsletter: 2025 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterbacks and Measuring the Veteran Options Who Remain

We've stacked the top four now find out where the rest of the quarterbacks fall.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide drops back and looks to throw a pass during the CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl Game against the Michigan Wolverines at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2024 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

Jake and I made it through our final quarterback deep dives, knocking out the second tier of Will Howard, Kyle McCord, and Tyler Shough. Those three all do some great things, but they’re in the second tier for a reason. The tools and consistency aren’t the same as the top guys, and the likelihood they become a starter is fairly slim.

All three could develop into high-quality backups, but I didn’t see enough above-average traits to get them to the next level. I wouldn’t touch any of these guys before Day 3, and I don’t think the Browns would, either. These three are approaching UDFA territory, in my opinion, and UDFAs have at least one above-average trait to be worth it, according to Andrew Berry.

I’d stack these three: McCord, Shough, and Howard. McCord and Shough are pretty even in my mind, with McCord winning out because of his blind confidence to let it rip. His arm, accuracy, and anticipation are all average+, but he gets panicky and careless with the ball too often to be a viable starter.

Shough has a lot of good things going for him. He throws a pretty good deep ball and has a good enough arm to drive the ball when he has space to operate. However, he also has a bunch of bad things working against him. His age and injury history are first on the list. How much better will he get when he’s already 25, and you can see his injury history affecting him when he feels pressure. Both guys, Shough in particular, left me wanting more.

Howard is clearly third out of this group for me. I like what he can do with his legs. There are athletic limitations, but he’s comfortable carrying the ball and can be effective in the right system. His throwing ability isn’t there for me. His arm is a notch below average, and I don’t have a lot of faith that he’ll improve his processing. He’ll need to end up in the right system to have a chance at the next level.

Jake and I stacked our top 10 quarterbacks from the 2025 class in this morning’s pod, but here’s my list with a brief one-liner.

1. Jaxson Dart — Reads defenses better than what’s been reported and has the tools to be a capable starter in the NFL

2. Cam Ward — Best overall tools in the class, which will allow him to get away with early career mistakes

3. Shedeur Sanders — Appreciate his accuracy and toughness, but he has athletic limitations and a weaker arm, which will make life hard at the next level