NFL Draft 2025 Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders Lead QB Class, but Concerns Loom for Jalen Milroe
As several NFL teams search for long-term solutions at quarterback, the 2025 draft class offers potential stars, but questions remain about who will emerge as the true top pick.
Despite a weaker-than-usual group of quarterback prospects, scouts predict multiple signal-callers will be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. While many are high on quarterbacks like Cam Ward from Miami and Shedeur Sanders from Colorado, there are also lesser-known names with upside.
To get a better sense of the draft class, CBS Sports polled six NFL scouting experts about the top quarterbacks and their evaluations of the prospects. Here’s what the experts had to say:
Top Three Quarterbacks in the 2025 Draft Class
According to the scouting survey, Cam Ward of Miami and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado are the clear top two quarterbacks in this class. However, neither is viewed as a can’t-miss, franchise-changing talent like recent first-round selections.
Ward received the most votes as the top quarterback, appearing on five of the six ballots. Sanders, who’s coming off a solid season at Colorado, was also a favorite, with two scouts ranking him first and four ranking him second.
Rounding out the top three quarterbacks is Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss, who earned five votes as the third-best QB prospect. He’s considered a tough and scrappy player with no major physical flaws.
Top QB Prospects Outside the Top Three
While Ward, Sanders, and Dart appear to be the consensus top quarterbacks, several others outside of the top three are drawing attention from NFL scouts.
Quinn Ewers from Texas received two votes as the next most intriguing quarterback, though consistency has been a concern. “When he’s on, he’s on,” one scout said, noting that Ewers has the arm strength to make all the throws. He’s expected to go in the second or third round, but his lack of consistent play could hold him back.
Other quarterbacks receiving votes included Jalen Milroe from Alabama, Tyler Shough from Louisville, and Kyle McCord from Syracuse. Each of these players shows potential but has their own areas of uncertainty.
Concerns About Potential First-Round Picks
While there’s a lot of optimism about the quarterbacks in this draft class, some experts have their concerns, particularly about Jalen Milroe. Despite his athletic ability, Milroe received the most concerns from scouts. His lack of accuracy, particularly on short and intermediate throws, and questions about his field vision are seen as red flags.
Milroe, who had an inconsistent showing at the Senior Bowl, received three votes as a potential first-round pick with the most question marks. One scout noted, “His accuracy and touch on passes could be a major issue at the next level.”
Other quarterbacks like Quinn Ewers, Shedeur Sanders, and Cam Ward also received one vote each as having potential concerns but not as many as Milroe.
Conclusion
While the 2025 NFL Draft class might not feature a generational talent at quarterback, several prospects stand out as potential franchise quarterbacks. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders lead the pack, but with questions surrounding their readiness, teams may have to dig deeper to find their next signal-caller of the future.
The coming months will be critical for these quarterbacks, with the Senior Bowl and further evaluations playing key roles in determining where they land in the draft.
