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The QB class of the 2025 NFL Draft consists of two players – and many questions
Albany

The QB class of the 2025 NFL Draft consists of two players – and many questions

The demand for franchise quarterbacks in the 2025 draft is currently greater than the supply.

Things could change dramatically between now and the end of the expanded College Football Playoff, but teams like the Giants, Jets, Raiders, Titans, Browns, Panthers and Saints could be pleased with just two quarterback prospects currently considered worthy of the top spot -Five choice…and could easily go 1-2.

Two top evaluators – ESPN draft analyst and insider Matt Miller and Fox college football analyst Brock Huard – were asked by Serby Says to provide their expert analysis.

The two crown jewels are Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward.

Shedeur Sanders is on his way to becoming No. 1. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Given the way quarterbacks are overrated during the draft process, Miller can envision Carson Beck and Quinn Ewers ultimately being among Sanders and Ward’s top-10 picks, with Jalen Milroe only being considered. if a team sees Anthony Richardson in him.

“I think it’s Shedeur 1, I think it’s Cam 2, and then I think there’s a little bit of a gap between the next few quarterbacks,” Huard said. “These two are true first-round, top-10 players, franchise QBs, and I think, unfortunately, in a league that needs them and is starving for them every year, that supply chain is getting rich, for me, the Carson Becks and.” The Quinn Ewers and the Jaxson Darts looked very human and very mortal.”

How many first-round quarterbacks are there currently?

“I think two – definitely Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward,” Miller said. “There are a lot of projects after that — like Carson Beck, Quinn Ewers, Jalen Milroe at Alabama, Drew Allar at Penn State, Garrett Nussmeier at LSU… but Milroe and Nussmeier can go back to school.

Cam Ward #1 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Louisville Cardinals at Cardinal Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky. Getty Images

“Basically, it’s not the best year to know you need a quarterback because there isn’t that group like last year with six players going in the first round.”

Given his positional value, Sanders is expected to be the first pick of the draft.

“Everything he does well right now translates to the NFL,” Miller said. “He doesn’t have as much projection as some of the other guys.”

Shedeur Sanders (Colorado): “His arm is good, not great, but he’s incredibly tough in the pocket,” Miller said. “He can move around without being a run-first quarterback. What I find more impressive is how well he can adjust his arm angle and make on-the-move throws, then he can also make off-platform throws. But really it’s all about accuracy. He knows how to pass the ball to someone. It’s surgical. The ball is always exactly where it needs to be so his boys can play.”

Quarterback Shedeur Sanders before the game against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

“QB1 in this class,” Huard said. “What you don’t see in the TV copy: I think his biggest strength is his toughness. He just stands there and delivers. And then on top of that he throws, big hands, long arms, can spin a football, throws an incredibly catchy ball. Seems to be a great leader in every way.”

Cam Ward (Miami): “I like the journey, I like the courage. I like that everywhere he went he positively influenced the people around him,” Huard said. “I like his size and strength, he has a tough, physical build. Compared to Shedeur, I don’t think he throws as accurately and can be caught with as many touches, but he can throw lasers and loves to play and compete, and the ability to make everyone better is one of the most important qualities I think there is.”

Miller and Huard would see Ward as a good fit for Brian Daboll.

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward (1) points after defeating the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

“There’s a lot of tools to run it, throw it, RPO it, sling it, do a lot of the things that I think there’s volume on,” Huard said.

“He’s a playmaker,” Miller said. “Now that he’s not asked to be a superhero, he can play quarterback. He moves well, has great arm strength and sensitivity.

“I think Milroe’s skillset would be kind of interesting there, just because he’s such a great runner. Even things like what Milroe and Ward do well are toned down a bit around the league. I can also imagine Milroe working there.”

Carson Beck (Georgia): “The accuracy and the decision making … you get multiple interceptions and you just look very, very nervous, very unsettled and unpredictable,” Huard said. “Seeing this happen on multiple occasions would raise some doubts as to whether I am the decision maker who has to pull the trigger to create an absolutely real ‘build this thing’ around him. He’s talented, he’s prototypical, he’s got great determination and a strong arm and all the wonderful qualities we talk about, but you don’t build on that. You build on someone who is unwavering and won’t be rattled, and we’ve seen that from him too often.”

Miller hasn’t seen any progress from Beck this season.

Carson Beck #15 of the Georgia Bulldogs throws the ball during the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Getty Images

“He had guys like Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers last year who, when the ball was tight, made a play,” Miller said. “And this year he’s throwing after the guys, he’s leading the guys too far forward. I think he’s trying to trust his arm a little too much this year.”

Asked if Beck will be selected in the first round, Miller said: “I don’t know. If the draft was tomorrow, I wouldn’t feel particularly good about it.”

Quinn Ewers (Texas): “He’s talented but frustrating,” Miller said. “He just needs to play looser – more like he did against Michigan, more like he did last year against Alabama, Oklahoma. He’s good for a frustrating game. But he is incredibly young. He is 20 years old. He’s a true junior after being reclassified in high school.”

Could he move into the top 10 in the draft?

Quinn Ewers #3 of the Texas Longhorns throws the ball during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Getty Images

“Should he? No,” Miller said. “But he definitely could, just based on his pedigree, he’s one of the highest-rated high school quarterbacks of all time. He won a lot of games in Texas, he has a lot of experience, and I can imagine someone thinking he could be developed and coached.”

“I would just worry about the body… the durability, the sustainability,” Huard said. “When he starts his professional training, he just shouts ‘Wow.’ It’s like Jeff George when it comes to the spin, the speed and just the ease with which he can throw a ball anywhere. But the durability is real.”

Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss): “I think I like the attributes as much as almost anyone in this class, but you have to see the consistency,” Huard said.

“I think his skillset is a little limited,” Miller said. “He’s precise, he’s smart, he has a great plan. I know there’s some hype out there about him. I don’t fully believe it.”

Jalen Milroe (Alabama): “I think he moves a little too fast at times, but he’s definitely talented,” Miller said. “The question is, ‘Are you able to be patient enough while he learns on the job?’” ”

Could he be a first-rounder?

“Not because of his willingness or anything, but just because of the characteristics that he had,” Miller said.

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) battles against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second quarter at Neyland Stadium. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

“Incredibly raw,” Huard said. “I think you’re looking at a system that he’s not getting afloat in the passing game right now,” Huard said. “Elite, elite athlete, incredible runner, can make a game-changing difference in that way, but again, if you’re not Lamar Jackson, a lot of things at the next level are negated in the phone booth you have to play along with.”

Riley Leonard (Notre Dame): “I don’t know if he’s a good pitcher,” Huard said. “For me, my three boxes are No. 1 because they elevate everyone around you. No. 2, anticipation and accuracy, these have stood the test of time for five decades. And #3 is just that viability and durability. Will you be durable and viable through thick and thin, through ups and downs, through the mental and physical postures you take, and emotionally?

“I think Shedeur probably checks this one out more confidently for me than the others. Cam is No. 2. The rest of the guys check two but not three, check one but not the other two.”

“I just didn’t see him take the next step,” Miller said.

Drew Allar (Penn State): “Really, really good tools,” Miller said. “He threw two picks last year, but everything he did was super, super safe, and his completion percentage was terrible. This year he turns the ball over more often, but also makes more plays. He plays looser, I think he plays a lot smarter this year, even though he has a few more turnovers. But he’s the one that I think once we get to the actual evaluation phase, I think he could really rise to the top just because of the tools that he has.”

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) carries the ball for a short gain in the second game at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Allar is 1.80 meters tall, weighs 110 kilograms and is a poor man’s Ben Roethlisberger.

“Probably more like a poor man’s Justin Herbert,” Miller said.

“I had it last year,” Huard said. “I thought the ability to throw the ball down the field with confidence, conviction and accuracy was an issue, which is strange because that’s all he did in high school, playing with a shotgun when he would literally throw lasers and bombs all over the field. I think the NFL will like him this year. He beats Ohio State, he gets to the playoffs, he does great things, they’ll like him a lot more. But feels like someone you could love – love, love – in the 26 draft.

Conner Weigman (Texas A&M): “He still has a lot to do,” Huard said.

“Weigman is more of a 2026 guy,” Miller said. “I think it would definitely benefit him to play more instead of leaving the starting line-up after a year.”

So much can change between now and April.

“This 12-team playoff will not only be great for college football,” Huard said, “but I think it will be great for these evaluators.”

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