NFL Draft 2025: Ben's Pre-Combine QB Rankings

Welcome to Ben's 2025 NFL Rookie QB Rankings. We will have several articles and updates throughout draft season and this is the first run of QB rankings. Let's dive in...

1. Cam Ward, Miami

Ward is the no doubter best overall QB prospect in this class in my opinion and I think Tennessee would be making a big mistake not taking a swing on him with the first-overall pick. Despite being first in this class, he would be the fourth or fifth-best QB in the 2024 class but that says more about the class as a whole than it does about Ward for me. The biggest negative here is he holds onto the ball too long trying to create, but at the same time that’s also one of his biggest positives because of the big chunk plays that can come from it. He always seems in control and plays extremely nonchalantly, similar to Lamelo Ball if you’re an NBA fan. I like Ward and I like the ceiling. 

2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

There’s a big drop-off after Ward for me as of now, but Sanders still has to check in second. He has plenty of experience which has shown to matter in the recent rookie classes and the statistical performances to back up his name. His arm strength is the question mark and I would like him to be a bit more mobile considering how much he held onto the ball in college. 

3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

I’ll get a lot of hate for having him this high after a lackluster Senior Bowl, but there is far from certainty in this QB class. As of now, Milroe still has the upside that I would be willing to take a chance on in the NFL Draft. Anthony Richardson was a top-ten pick – whether or not that was the right decision is another conversation but Milroe is better as a prospect across the board than Richardson was at the time of his draft in my opinion. Many will cite his sub-9 inch hands, but another dominant athlete at this position also had hand size issues – that being Michael Vick. He is an amazing runner and has the best deep ball in this class in my opinion – the problem is whether or not he can read the field and be accurate at the NFL level. I thought he would be a top-ten pick after the Georgia game this past season, while that is no longer the case I’m not ready to adjust my priors on Milroe just yet. 

4. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

Dart has big-time stats to back up his case to be higher on the list and he improved each year as a starter. He has pretty good size and is very athletic as a runner which translates to him being a great improviser and scrambler. I do feel like he can rely on that too much at times when his first read isn’t open, but he improved on that a bit down the stretch of his last season at Ole Miss. The big concern here is playing in a college offense that doesn’t translate well but I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s the third QB off the board come draft time. 

5. Will Howard, Ohio State

Will Howard is not someone I was super high on coming into the season, but I feel like he played well enough down the stretch to earn this 5th spot in my first run of rankings. If you asked me three months ago I would have said he was a third or fourth round pick but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him slip into the 2nd round in some mock drafts as we head towards March. He’s started a lot of games and has shown he can be accurate which increases his floor. He also is very athletic and can make plays as a runner / scrambler but feels more impacted by landing spot than others on this list.

Written by Ben Hossler