Who Will Shine? A Look at the New Quarterbacks

The 2025 NFL Draft saw a group of quarterbacks who didn't exactly set the world on fire. Cam Ward was the top pick, but after him, things got a bit quiet. Jaxson Dart was the only other first-round selection, with Tyler Shough going in the second round. Jalen Milroe and Dillon Gabriel were among the Friday night picks. Shedeur Sanders, who was the sixth quarterback taken, went as the 144th overall pick. This is a big drop from last year, where six quarterbacks were gone in the first dozen picks. The NFL might be right about these quarterbacks. They'll need to do more than expected to move from backup roles. Let's talk about the seven quarterbacks who were just drafted and their chances of making it big. Cam Ward, now with the Titans, has a strong arm and a natural ability to lead. He was very productive in college, playing for Incarnate Word, Washington State, and Miami. The Titans are all in on Ward. Their new team leaders know how important it is to give quarterbacks the right tools to succeed. Ward can make any throw and has a high football IQ. He can scramble and make off-platform throws, which is a big plus. However, he has a history of playing hero ball, which could be a problem if it continues in the NFL. The Titans' new regime still has to prove itself, and Ward might face a bumpy start. Jalen Milroe, now with the Seahawks, had some standout performances in college, especially against Georgia. But he wasn't consistent enough, which led to him sliding into the third round. The Seahawks are a great fit for Milroe. They want to run the ball a lot, and Milroe's athleticism fits that plan. Sam Darnold is the starter for now, but if he doesn't do well, Milroe could see the field. The Seahawks have been building up their offensive line and backfield, which is good news for a young quarterback. However, if Darnold plays well, Milroe might never see the field. He also needs to improve as a passer and show off his running ability. Jaxson Dart, now with the Giants, has a good arm and is athletic. He's been a coveted prospect for years and should be comfortable with the pressure of playing in New York. The Giants have a nice group of skill players, which is a plus for Dart. However, this is a pressure-packed season for the Giants. If they don't do well, Dart might be stuck on the bench. And if the Giants change coaches, Dart will have to start over in a new system. Tyler Shough, now with the Saints, has ideal size and arm strength. He's also mature and ready to start, which is important given the uncertainty over Derek Carr's shoulder injury. Shough has the clearest path to start as a rookie because of Carr's situation. However, the Saints aren't exactly set up for offensive success. They floundered under their last coach and are changing play callers again. Shough also has a lengthy injury history, which is a concern. Will Howard, now with the Steelers, played his best ball in the College Football Playoff. He's got the size and moxie to play in the tough AFC North. The Steelers want to run the ball and play strong defense, which takes some pressure off their quarterback. Howard has been highly regarded for years, and the Steelers sound optimistic about Aaron Rodgers joining the team. However, it's not clear when or if Howard will see the field because no one can predict how much longer Rodgers will play. Shedeur Sanders, now with the Browns, was the sixth quarterback taken in the draft. He was a complicated evaluation, and there were concerns about his leadership skills. If he can mature in that regard, he can let his play take over. The Browns are in a bridge period at the position with Deshaun Watson likely out for the 2025 season. Sanders and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel will compete with veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco for the starting job. However, there are a lot of qualifiers in Sanders' path to success. He needs to show he can run an NFL offense and prove that football is more important than his brand. Dillon Gabriel, also with the Browns, was a Heisman Trophy candidate at Oregon. He's a facilitator and gets the ball out quickly, which should be a good fit for coach Kevin Stefanski's scheme. However, Gabriel's size is a concern, and he's not a great athlete. It'll also be a challenge to leapfrog both Pickett and Flacco. If Gabriel doesn't make a quality first impression, there's nothing stopping the Browns from addressing the position again a year from now.