The 2025 NFL Draft class is starting to take shape, and that means we’re getting a clearer picture of some of the top prospects and the position groups with the most depth.
The running back, tight end and offensive tackle positions seem to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the edge defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in several years, dominating the projected top 50. There are also more impact defensive backs this year than a year ago, with plenty of options on all three days of the draft, specifically on Days 2 and 3.
Here are PFF's top quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with some initial scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.
For the full ranking of draft prospects, along with their three-year player grades and position rankings, click here.
1. QB Cameron Ward, Miami (FL)
PFF Big Board Rank: 20
Appreciating Ward, an unorthodox, big-game quarterback, requires a leap of faith. He is ultra-confident, at times to a fault. His mentality could one day make him an All-Pro — if his fundamentals don't drop him from the league entirely.
2. QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
PFF Big Board Rank: 45
Sanders may be below average in stature and arm talent compared to NFL quarterbacks, but he plays the game cleanly, takes care of the football and is tough as nails with ice in his veins under pressure.
3. QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
PFF Big Board Rank: 100
Milroe is the most physically gifted quarterback in the 2025 draft class, but he is still far too inconsistent in when and how he delivers the football. In a perfect world, he would be drafted with a plan to let him sit and develop.
4. QB Will Howard, Ohio State
PFF Big Board Rank: 122
Howard checks a lot of boxes: experience, size and a willingness to attack all coverages. He doesn't bring special arm talent, but he could develop into an NFL starter.
5. QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
PFF Big Board Rank: 127
Leonard is a tough, dual-threat quarterback with plus value as a runner, but his passing efficiency numbers reveal too many inconsistencies on a throw-by-throw basis for him to be an NFL starter. That will have to improve if he is to be more than a backup.
6. QB Jaxson Dart, Mississippi
PFF Big Board Rank: 131
Dart brings an alluring two-sport throwing background (baseball and football) to the quarterback position, including natural movements and playmaking ability out of structure. But so much of his success at Ole Miss felt scheme-dependent. He must improve his full-field defensive reads and fundamentals to truly attack defenses with anticipation and ball placement.
7. QB Tyler Shough, Louisville
PFF Big Board Rank: 133
Shough is one of the oldest prospects in the class and has an extensive injury history, but his size and arm talent are adequate enough to earn him a shot as an NFL backup.
8. QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
PFF Big Board Rank: 164
Gabriel is a major NFL outlier in height, weight and even his throwing hand, but few have his mastery of the position with poise, anticipation and intelligence.
9. QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
PFF Big Board Rank: 165
Ewers' arm talent will get him drafted, but his inconsistencies are too prevalent right now. To succeed in the NFL, he must clean up his footwork, pocket management, post-snap diagnosis and play under pressure.
10. QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse
PFF Big Board Rank: 181
McCord isn't for the faint of heart. He led the Power Four in both big-time throws and turnover-worthy plays in 2024. He lacks a top-level arm, leaving doubt about his gunslinger mentality in the NFL, but his ability to churn out big plays every week makes him hard to quit on. Plenty of NFL teams should want to take a chance on him early on Day 3.
11. QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
PFF Big Board Rank: 220
Rourke's NFL passing profile features five years of starting experience, ideal size and nice touch, but he lacks the arm strength to be a true gunslinger in the NFL. He projects as a backup quarterback with the potential to grow into a spot starter.
12. QB Max Brosmer, Minnesota
PFF Big Board Rank: 232
Brosmer lacks NFL size and overall arm talent, but he's quick on his feet, physically and mentally, and makes for an intriguing late-round backup option.
13. QB Brady Cook, Missouri
PFF Big Board Rank: 257
Cook is a tough pocket passer who has enough mobility to move the chains with his legs. He saw a slight dip in his accuracy in 2024 but also turned in a career-best 1.0% turnover-worthy play rate. Cook struggles the most when trying to throw through pressure and often decides to run before going through his progressions. With proper pass protection, he could be a capable backup, but there is a limited ceiling.
14. QB Graham Mertz, Florida
PFF Big Board Rank: 266
Mertz is efficient in structure with good accuracy and decision-making, but his downfield passing remains inconsistent. His starter-level football intelligence makes him worth a draft pick, but he may lack the deep-ball ability to be a long-term NFL option.
15. QB Tommy Mellott, Montana State
PFF Big Board Rank: 273
Mellott is a severe size outlier at quarterback and likely won't get a chance to stick at the position in the pros. However, his athleticism and background as a converted wide receiver make him an intriguing practice squad candidate who could work his way onto a roster if he sharpens his route running.
16. QB Seth Henigan, Memphis
PFF Big Board Rank: 295
Henigan is a four-year starter at Memphis who has earned 80.0-plus PFF grades in the last three seasons. He won't wow you with his physical tools, but Henigan moves through progressions well and is worth a look as a potential backup.
17. QB Cam Miller, North Dakota State
PFF Big Board Rank: 305
Miller plays a clean brand of football and posted a 92.6 passing grade from a clean pocket in 2024. He also avoided negative plays at a good rate, with a 12.2% negative play rate that ranks in the 91st percentile for the position. However, his below-average arm strength could cap his ceiling, projecting him more as a backup at best.
18. QB Payton Thorne, Auburn
PFF Big Board Rank: 316
Final scouting report coming soon!
19. QB Hudson Card, Purdue
PFF Big Board Rank: 338
Final scouting report coming soon!
20. QB Will Rogers, Washington
PFF Big Board Rank: 346
Rogers is capable of throwing pretty intermediate and deep balls when he can stride into his throws in rhythm or slide and reset. Once he has to rush his mechanics, his throws tend to lose velocity and sail. With just a 37.8% adjusted completion rate on deep throws and a 56.1% clip on intermediate passes, he lacks consistency and athletic upside.
21. QB Connor Bazelak, Bowling Green
PFF Big Board Rank: 347
Final scouting report coming soon!
22. QB Donovan Smith, Houston
PFF Big Board Rank: 350
Smith began his career at Texas Tech before joining Houston, but he wasn't able to keep hold of his starting quarterback spot in 2024. At this point, Smith is a developmental quarterback prospect with great size (6-foot-5 and 230 pounds).
23. QB KJ Jefferson, UCF
PFF Big Board Rank: 354
Jefferson has a huge frame and a knack for running through tackles when on the move, but he too often predetermines throws and lofts balls into trouble with his elongated delivery. He was benched for poor play after five games in 2024, recording just a 61.3% adjusted completion rate on intermediate throws.
24. QB DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State
PFF Big Board Rank: 355
Uiagalelei looks the part physically and has starting experience at three schools, but his accuracy was a significant issue no matter where he played. This past season at Florida State, he recorded a 70.1% adjusted completion rate and a 66.5 passer rating before being benched in Week 5. Despite his athletic gifts, it's tough to rationalize using a draft pick on him.
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