2025 NFL Draft: RB Rankings:
1
Cam Ward
School: Miami
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 219 lbs
Strengths:
Ward is a big, well built QB with a strong arm. His arm talent jumps out at you pretty early in the evaluation, not only for the velocity that he is able to generate on his passes, but also for the various arm angles at which he is able to pass the football. Ward can drop it in the bucket on deep shots, getting a nice arc on his passes. But he also has the arm strength to throw it on a rope into tight windows at the intermediate level. He can do it all as a pass catcher. Opposite side throws and whatever else. You don’t have to limit the playbook with him. Ward has enough quickness to maneuver well in the pocket. He can escape oncoming rushers by either sidestepping, stepping up, or rolling out to either side. Though not exactly a speedster, he can give you some chunk pickups with his legs. In the pocket, he is very calm. He’ll stand in the face of pressure to get the pass off. His ability to throw at different arm angles also comes in handy when he has defenders in his face, and he has to get a bit creative with how he gets the pass off. If he rolls out, Ward is able to maintain ball velocity when throwing on the run, and his accuracy is generally good in this area as well.
Weaknesses:
Ward is an aggressive player, which has led to many big plays. However, there are too many times where aggressiveness turns into recklessness. He’ll take chances and throw into double coverage, or try to fit the ball into a nonexistent window. Things can get especially dicey when he is playing out of structure. When he rolls out, his decision making takes another dip. He’ll let go of a pass without any awareness of the rest of the field, instead just keeping his eye glued on his target. There have been quite a few turnover worthy plays in these situations, and some turnovers. Ward is calm in the pocket, but that calmness almost could be described better as nonchalant in some instances. A lack of urgency in some cases leads to close calls via oncoming defenders. As well, he can be overconfident as a scrambler, backpedaling and turning backwards, leading to sacks. From a technical standpoint, there are times where his arm is generating a lot of the power in his pass, which can cause accuracy to suffer.
Summary:
Ward is a high upside QB prospect thanks his abundance of arm talent and good overall athleticism for his size. He can complete passes to any part of the field, and in any situation–whether in structure, under pressure, or on the run. His aggressiveness sometimes leads to reckless decision making, which is something he’ll have to get under control. As well, there are some technical improvements and tweaks to his pocket management that can be made. But overall, the traits are all there and I love the upside. The hope is just that he doesn’t turn into a Jameis Winston feast or famine type. With the right coaching, the good should be able to outshine the bad, with him becoming a franchise QB.
| Grade: 86.2 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Shedeur Sanders
School: Colorado
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 212 lbs
Strengths:
Sanders is a poised QB who is able to stand in the pocket and go through his progressions. He does not get uncomfortable when pressure is approaching, and his calmness allows him to still deliver accurate passes. Sanders is methodical when working the short and intermediate areas. His passes are accurate and catchable, and he is able to put touch on them, when needed. Sanders possesses baseline ability to extend plays. He is capable, not only of maneuvering within the pocket, but also getting outside. When outside the pocket, he keeps his eyes downfield, scanning for a target before he resorts to throwing it away. Sanders has decent enough arm strength to complete passes to all levels of the field.
Weaknesses:
Sanders has decent arm strength, but it is not elite. Although he can throw to all levels of the field, there will be times where tighter windows pose a higher risk of an interception because it is tougher for him to fit the ball in. Sanders sometimes plays like his arm strength is better than it is, so this will be something to monitor, and it might need to be coached out of him. There are instances where his deep shots hang a little. So while he can throw to all three levels, that is not the equivalent to being able to make every throw. His throwing motion is also pretty elongated and inefficient, which impacts his ball velocity. Sanders isn’t a statue in the pocket, but his athleticism is average. He has some quickness and escapability, but his speed is underwhelming. On many occasions, he was close to getting caught from behind by a defensive lineman, and I feel like NFL competition would have been able to get the sack in these instances. As a passer, Sanders can sometimes show hesitation to make anticipatory passes, instead opting to watch the receiver get open before making the pass. I worked in college, but in the faster NFL game, you often have to let the pass go before the receiver makes his break.
Summary:
Sanders is an accurate QB who can read defences and play within the structure of the offence. He gives you enough arm strength to throw to each level of the field, but he lacks truly elite ball velocity, which will make some tight window throws very difficult. Athletically, he gets a pass, as he can maneuver in the pocket, and work outside it. That being said, he isn’t a playmaker with his legs. I think Sanders can be better than a game manager. In the right system, he can be a quality starter, where he is playing with good timing and accuracy. However, I don’t think he has the upside to be an elite franchise QB. To reach his ceiling, he’ll have to pass the ball with more anticipation to somewhat compensate for his non-elite ball velocity. As well, he’ll have to know his limitations, and not try to play hero ball. Though not perfect, Sanders is probably far enough along to start on day 1, even if some growing pains are involved. As he develops and gets more comfortable, he can have a team in playoff contention early in his career.
| Grade: 84.0 | Round Grade: 2nd |
3
Jaxson Dart
School: Ole Miss
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 223 lbs
Strengths:
Dart is a QB with a well rounded physical skill set that can allow him to be a successful QB in the NFL. Though not quite in that elite tier, his arm strength is pretty solid. He can get some zip on his throws when letting it go over the middle, and he can get distance and air underneath his deep shots. Dart works well when he can get a rhythm going. As he gets going in the quick game, he can reel off passes with zip and good ball placement, methodically picking apart the defence. He throws a good back shoulder ball along the sideline, putting the receiver in a good spot to come away with it. Dart has the ability to use different arm angles as a passer, picking and choosing depending on the space he’s got to work with. Athletically, he has enough to maneuver around the pocket, and in some cases, go outside of it and possibly pick up some yards on the ground.
Weaknesses:
Dart is a decent physical talent, but still needs to develop the mental side of things. Pressure impacts his game quite a bit, and he’ll let go of panic throws when things get uncomfortable. As well, there were sometimes reckless things, like passes thrown across his body, that crept into his game. The risks will have to be more calculated, going forward. His ability to read the defence post-snap is still a work in progress. He had a lot of one read throws and schemed up stuff. As well, he needs to pass the ball with more anticipation, rather than waiting for the receiver to make his break. Accuracy can sometimes be spotty for Dart, especially when out of rhythm. Some of his deep shots result in overthrows, and look rushed, with the appearance like he is just tossing up a prayer. He needs more feel and touch as a passer. Physical traits are solid, but not elite. Passes to the far hash mark are a bit tougher for him, and some tight window throws can be a bit more questionable. As well, he is a good enough athlete to work the pocket and sometimes extend the play. However, he isn’t really threatening as a runner. When scrambling, he is slow enough that defensive linemen can still chase him down. Also in some of these instances when running outside the pocket, his eyes are glued downfield, but as he is scanning, his urgency takes a dip, and he fails to sense that trailing defenders are getting close.
Summary:
Dart isn’t elite in any category, but has enough arm talent to make it as a starter in the NFL. When he gets into a rhythm, he can be clinical, but his game will need fine tuning. Accuracy can improve, and his decision making will need to include less recklessness and more calculation. As well, he will need to pass the ball with more anticipation, and learn to go through full field reads. Dart projects as a guy who will need some time to develop. In a perfect world, he won’t be needed to start right away. But in time, he has the chance to become that guy that can grab the reins and be the guy for a team.
| Grade: 80.2 | Round Grade: 2nd |
4
Jalen Milroe
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 217 lbs
Strengths:
Milroe has an abundance of physical traits that gives him a good case for having the best upside of any QB in this draft class. He has a cannon of an arm, giving him the ability to make any throw you could ask. Milroe can zip the ball on a rope into tight windows. He can also launch it deep, with plenty of distance and velocity on the ball. Athletically, he is just as dynamic. Milore has the pure speed to beat you around the edge as a runner, before then turning upfield and going for a big gain. Whether on a designed run or a scramble, he is a constant threat to go for a chunk gain or even a house call. He has the speed and quickness to be a dynamic threat as a runner, but his size and power also make him very useful in short yardage situations. Milroe can lower the shoulder and power his way forward. He is tough to tackle. When he is not taking off beyond the line of scrimmage, Milroe has also shown to be capable of going off script as a passer. When he rolls out, he can still deliver a good pass without losing any of his power. When everything is clicking, he has also shown, over stretches, that he can pass the ball with accuracy.
Weaknesses:
Milroe puts tremendous flashes on tape, but can sometimes struggle with consistency. His accuracy comes and goes. Having some of his passes sail on him has especially been an issue. When he puts the ball on a rope but misses high, it is in danger of landing right into the arms of the safety that is lurking in behind. He also can miss on his deep shots, in some cases, overshooting his target, while having the ball float on some of his other targets. His mechanics often become sloppy, which contributes to the fluctuations in accuracy. Milore loves to go off script, but many of these issues show up when he is working in structure within the pocket. Additionally, there are times where he won’t trust his protection, choosing to bail on a clean pocket prematurely. And when he does sense pressure, the panic can set it, which leads to forced throws that risk resulting in a turnover.
Summary:
Milroe is a developmental prospect who will give a team a massive payout if they are able to develop him properly. He is an outstanding athlete–a home run hitter with his legs. Milroe also has great arm strength and can make any throw to any spot on the field. Consistency will be the big question mark. Can he improve his mechanics and accuracy? Can he improve the mental side of his game, and become better when operating within the pocket? If he can, it is likely that he becomes a quality starter in the league. But doing so is easier said than done, and will likely take some time. If he can’t, the traits may earn him a starting opportunity still, but the peaks and valleys will likely follow. The issues make Milroe too risky on day 1, but a QB needy team could take a shot on day 2, with the hope that they can get the most out of him. Definitely some risk, but the upside is hard to ignore.
| Grade: 78.4 | Round Grade: 3rd |
5
Quinn Ewers
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 214 lbs
Strengths:
Ewers is a flashy QB prospect whose ability to make off platform throws, and get the ball out at different arm angles is sure to catch the eye. At the flick of the wrist, he can toss the ball with a decent amount of velocity, and when he is in rhythm, he can maintain a consistent level of accuracy. Ewers can work the pocket quite well, and is consistently able to step up to avoid pressure. He keeps his eyes downfield when moving around the pocket, but he also isn’t afraid to tuck it and run if a gap opens for him up the middle. If he rolls out to either side, Ewers has the arm talent to throw on the run and get the ball to his receiver.
Weaknesses:
For all the peaks you get with Ewers, you get a lot of valleys as well. A lot of self-inflicted wounds that can be frustrating to watch. His decision making is erratic, regardless of the situation. Sometimes, it was a set up screen where he would, at one point, have his back to the receiver after a fake toss. He’ll turn and blindly let his pass go, not knowing if the play is open. On other plays, he’ll lock eyes on his first target and let his pass go with a CB blanked on the receiver. Has led to some costly turnovers. He had a lot of these schemed up, one read kind of plays, and doesn’t do well when required to go through his progressions. Ewers has good accuracy when everything is going well, but bad times tend to snowball with him. Accuracy turns spotty and passes will sail on him. Regarding his traits, he has good but not great arm strength. Velocity is decent enough when throwing to the intermediate level, but it takes a dip when he is taking a deep shot.
Strengths:
Ewers won’t blow you away with traits, but he has enough arm strength and athleticism to be a plus starter in the league. His ability to make off platform throws will have coaches and scouts intrigued, but there is an element of risk vs reward that comes with Ewers. On one hand, you might love the splashy plays, but on the other hand, the mental side of his game still looks far off at times. His ability to make full field reads will need a lot of work, and his decision making is erratic. The lows may push him down on draft day, but Ewers would make a good investment for a team that has the luxury of being able to give some time to a developmental prospect, which is what he is. With the right coaching, he might be able to cut down on the bad decisions, clean up his technique, and improve his consistency. If he can, he has the chance to become a starter. If not, he might top out at being a streaky backup, that gives you a low floor, but lighting in a bottle potential.
| Grade: 70.4 | Round Grade: 4th |
6
Tyler Shough
School: Louisville
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 219 lbs
Strengths:
Shough has a big frame and a decent enough blend of traits to make it in some capacity at the NFL level. He has enough natural arm strength to get some zip on passes over the middle, and can throw a nice over the shoulder pass with good touch. When he is kept clean in the pocket, Shough is able to go through his reads, step into his throws, and deliver an accurate ball to the receiver, regardless of what area of the field it is. He uses pump fakes to his advantage, sometimes either causing a DB to bite, or buying himself a little extra time by sucking in pass rushers. Athletically, he is able to maneuver around the pocket and has enough to roll out and extend the play. Being in college for 7 seasons, he enters the NFL with an abundance of experience, having been in several different systems.
Weaknesses:
Shough, having so much college experience, enters the NFL as an overager with an injury history. But despite the advanced age, he is still in need of development in several areas, which bodes the question of how much farther can he really go? His mechanics are a mess. Much of the power he gets into his throw is from his upper body, which prevents him from getting nearly as much velocity into his passes as he could. As well, there are a lot of times where he’ll throw it off his back foot, not only negating some of his natural arm strength, but also sacrificing accuracy in the process. Shough is an accurate passer and good decision maker when kept clean, but things fall apart when he faces pressure. He lacks poise in these situations, and panic throws show up often, leading to turnovers or turnover worthy plays. As far as traits go, he has enough to get by, but I wouldn’t say he is in the “high end” category. His arm is good, but the mechanical shortcomings also take away from it. Athletically, he can roll out when under pressure, but he isn’t really a big threat to pick up yards on the ground, outside of some short gains.
Summary:
Shough enters the NFL as an older prospect, but will still need some time for development. His mechanics still need work, and his inability to handle pressure, despite his experience, is a concern. But he has size and a decent enough arm to make it in the NFL. His ceiling probably isn’t higher than a bridge starter. But even if he doesn’t quite make it that far, his ability to stay composed and deliver accurate passes to each level of the field when afforded a clean pocket could make him a valuable backup on a contending team.
| Grade: 68.2 | Round Grade: 5th |
7
Dillon Gabriel
School: Oregon
Ht/Wt: 5’11”, 205 lbs
Strengths:
Gabriel is a left handed QB who brings good poise, timing, and athleticism to the table. He is great in the quick passing game, showing the ability to make quick, decisive decisions with where he wants to go with the football. His passes are delivered on time and he has the ability to throw with anticipation, which gives him a bigger window to make the play. Gabriel does a great job of showing poise in the pocket. He remains calm and will go through all his progressions as he scans the field for a target. Even when pressure is on its way, he remains calm in what he does. Gabriel has enough athleticism to make plays with his legs. He can extend it outside the pocket and keep his eyes downfield. On other occasions, he’ll tuck it and run for a nice gain. He senses pressure well, and can maneuver around the pocket accordingly. Dillon is able to release the ball at various arm angles, which helps when he is facing pressure, and a regular release might not be feasible.
Weaknesses:
Gabriel gets good zip on his passes in the quick game, but it falls off quite a bit when he attempts to push the ball down the field. He is inconsistent when it comes to fitting the ball into tiger downfield windows, and he has a tough time generating the velocity that he needs to. As a result, his technique can sometimes be sacrificed as he attempts to put more into the throw. But all this does is kill his accuracy. Gabriel enters the NFL as an overager, which makes you wonder how much room he’s got left to grow.
Summary:
Gabriel’s athleticism and ability to both extend the play as a passer and pick up yards as a runner will be appealing. He lacks the arm strength to push the ball downfield with consistency, and this resulted in a lot of short passes and passes behind the line of scrimmage. This likely won’t change at the next level, and it probably prevents him from ever being a starter. That being said, he is very clean when operating the quick game. His decisiveness, poise in the pocket, and accuracy give him the chance to be a reliable backup that can manage games if needed. His playmaking ability with his legs adds an extra element. The upside isn’t there if you are looking for a potential starter, but Gabriel has enough to work with to be a dependable backup QB that can keep things afloat.
| Grade: 68.1 | Round Grade: 5th |
8
Riley Leonard
School: Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 216 lbs
Strengths:
Leonard is a tough player whose combination of size, strength, and athleticism allow him to evade sacks, even from the grasp of a rusher. Having such a big frame, you might take him for someone who is more stationary in the pocket… but you would be wrong. Leonard moves very well within the pocket, displaying quick feet to maneuver and get away. If he does get wrapped up, he even still has the chance to shake loose. His play making ability with his legs extends beyond just pocket mobility. He can roll out and deliver an accurate throw on the run. Leonard can also tuck the ball and run. His size makes him tough to bring down, which can be an asset in short yardage or goal line situations. Leonard is poised when under pressure. He isn’t afraid to stand in there and deliver a pass, if he doesn’t have the chance to escape. When protected, he works the quick game well, and can even deliver a good pass to the intermediate level, if it is between the hash marks.
Weaknesses:
Leonard has the arm strength to make some of the throws, but not all of them. He struggles when it comes to throwing the ball outside the hash marks. Similarly, deep shots can end up floating for too long, or dying down early. He isn’t someone you want to task with pushing the ball downfield on a consistent basis. Leonard lacks the ball velocity to squeeze the ball into tight windows, and instead relies more on timing and his receivers helping him out. Inconsistent mechanics have partly contributed to this, as well. Leonard has the confidence to stand in the face of pressure and still get the ball off. However, sometimes, his pass is forced, and he would have been better off just taking the sack. He will need to be a bit smarter in these situations.
Summary:
Leonard’s ability to work the quick game and complete passes between the hash marks at the intermediate level is something to work with. His toughness and ability to make plays with his legs then further raises his floor. That said, his ceiling is pretty low, and it is hard to see starter upside. Leopard struggles to push the ball down the field with consistency, and has trouble throwing it outside of the hash marks. At the next level, he projects as a backup who can come in and manage games by working the middle of the field, while also making some plays on the ground.
| Grade: 68.0 | Round Grade: 5th |
9
Kurtis Rourke
School: Indiana
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 220 lbs
Strengths:
Rourke is a tall QB with a pretty solid amount of arm strength. He can make the quick throws no problem, and at the intermediate level, shows pretty good ball velocity to get it into some tight windows. Rourke is composed in the pocket and is able to scan the field and go through all his progressions. He throws the ball with anticipation and good timing, letting it go before the receiver makes his break, and putting it in a good spot. For the most part, he has clean footwork in the pocket, and has a nice drop back. Rourke played much of this past season on a torn ACL, showing his toughness. His play took a bit of a hit, but his pre-injury games are also around to paint the full picture.
Weaknesses:
Rourke is more of an old fashioned pocket passer, lacking the ability to really create much for himself. Even before the injury, this was the case. He has enough to be considered pocket mobile, but won’t give you much outside of that. The injury is a positive in one sense, as it shows that he is willing to gut it out. But on the other hand, it is something that teams will be monitoring as the process here goes forward. As a passer, Rourke looks much more comfortable hitting his receivers on things like comebacks and hitches. Routes where he can hit his target in the chest. When he has to lead his receiver, the accuracy of his passes can take a hit. He especially has a tendency to miss high.
Summary:
Rourke has enough arm strength, general accuracy, and football IQ to make it in the league. He doesn’t offer much in terms of athleticism, which puts a cap on his upside. As well, his inconsistencies regarding his accuracy will need to be addressed. But when he gets in rhythm, Rourke is capable of running the offence and distributing catchable passes to his receivers. Enough is there for him to maybe be a bridge or low end starter at some point down the line. However, right now he projects as a backup with some developmental traits. At a time where athleticism and ability to go off script is increasingly important for QB’s his lack of it does push him down my board, and perhaps that of some others too. But his floor is decently high for a potential backup QB. It just depends on what you want.
| Grade: 63.0 | Round Grade: 6th |
10
Brady Cook
School: Missouri
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 214 lbs
Strengths:
Cook has good physical traits that make him a worthwhile developmental project. In fact, if he can put it all together, there is some starter upside. He has a strong arm to both zip the ball into tight windows, and get distance and velocity on deeper shots. His athleticism stands out, and he pairs it up with good size and power as a runner. Cook is able to make quick escapes from the pocket when things start to break down. He can both roll out and throw on the run, and tuck it and run for a big gain, depending on what the situation calls for.
Weaknesses:
The physical tools are there, but pretty much everything else is still a work in progress. On the mental side, there are times where he stares down his target instead of going through all his progressions. There is some recklessness that creeps into his game. Throws that cut back across the field or simply just trying to create a window that doesn’t exist. These kinds of mistakes need to be cut out. Cook’s accuracy is also spotty. Even quick passes can sometimes miss high, low, or anywhere in between. He has had his fair share of ducks as a passer, partly due to mechanics that are extremely messy. Cook shows the flashes as a passer on the run, but some of these attempts also can end up in the dirt.
Summary:
Cook has all the traits you could want in a late round developmental prospect. An abundance of athleticism, size, and a strong arm to execute any kind of pass to any part of the field. But the reason why a player with these traits is a late round guy is because the rest of his game still needs a lot of work. His mechanics are sloppy, and his accuracy is very inconsistent as a result. As well, poor mental mistakes are littered throughout his tape. The difference between his floor and ceiling is large. The floor is a player who flames out after failing to make an impression over multiple offseasons. The ceiling is a starting QB. Coaching will play a big part, but it is still an uphill battle. But the pot of gold does exist at the end of the rainbow, should a team find a way to get there.
| Grade: 61.1 | Round Grade: 6th |
11
Will Howard
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 236 lbs
Strengths:
Howard has a good combination of size, toughness, and athleticism, which allowed him to make plays in college, and should translate to the NFL. He is very slick in the pocket, weaving his way around pressure before escaping past the line of scrimmage for a positive pickup, or leaking out the side to extend the play as a passer. His speed and quickness make it so that defences constantly have to be watching for when he decides to run. But his size also adds a power element that comes in handy in short yardage situations. Howard is poised in the pocket and can execute the quick passing game, and make shorter throws on the run when he rolls out. He buys time nicely, and can still keep his eyes downfield as he looks for a target. Howard has experience operating from under centre. Did well to run the play action. Something I can appreciate a little after watching a handful of prospects that almost exclusively are in shotgun.
Weaknesses:
Howard has some likable traits, but his arm strength leaves you disappointed. Even on the quicker passes, the velocity doesn’t quite match that of some of the other QB’s. By the time you get to the intermediate or deep parts of the field, he is really lacking. Sometimes he tried to push it anyways, but more often, the ball was put in harm’s way. He doesn’t have the tools to be taking risks. Outside the number throws are similarly difficult for him. Howard had a lot of half field reads in college, which will not translate well to the pro style. On top of that, as you often see with these half-field guys, there is a tendency to lock eyes onto his first read. He will have some adjustments to make. More is asked of QB’s in the NFL, and his decision making will have to also be cleaned up.
Summary:
Howard has the athleticism and toughness to at least make him somewhat intriguing as a prospect. His ability to make plays with his legs will help him in his bid for a roster spot. However, his velocity as a passer is very underwhelming, and will limit him at the next level. If Howard can make good decisions and improve his ability to read defences and go through his progressions, he has the chance to make it as a backup who can give you enough as a passer in the quick game, when combined with his ability as a runner. He’ll have to compete for it, but enough is there to at least get a shot in camp.
| Grade: 60.6 | Round Grade: 6th |
12
Kyle McCord
School: Syracuse
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 218 lbs
Strengths:
McCord is a more traditional QB, possessing a big frame and operating primarily out of the pocket. He does a good job of executing the quick game. No time is wasted in getting the ball out, and he delivers a pass that is catchable. Though he does well in the quick game, McCord isn’t afraid to push the ball down the field, and has been able to get some big plays to hit. He throws with decent touch down the field, and his anticipation is also quite good. On many of his passes, you see him release the ball before the receiver has made his break, giving the DB less time to get into position. McCord has the ability to maneuver around the pocket as pressure begins to swarm him, and he can buy himself a little bit more time to make a play.
Weaknesses:
McCord has some good moments, but his traits are average to below average, depending on which one you look at. His arm strength is fine, but nothing special. He can make third level throws and bullet passes to the intermediate level, but his velocity is not in the high end of the spectrum, and they can get undercut in some instances. McCord has an elongated throwing motion that also contributes to some velocity concerns. Although he has still shown to be capable of pushing the ball down the field, his decision making is questionable, and has led to some turnovers. A tendency to lock onto his target has also allowed DB’s to read his eyes and jump the route. McCord is able to maneuver in the pocket, but his athleticism doesn’t pose much of a threat beyond that. He won’t be picking up many yards on the ground, and even rolling out is something he’ll only successfully do from time to time.
Summary:
McCord is a pocket passer who is pretty solid when he gets into a rhythm and is able to execute the quick passing game. He doesn’t mind pushing the ball downfield, the results are spotty. Good ball placement has led to some success. However, bad decision making and average ball velocity are also responsible for some turnovers. He isn’t a great athlete for the position, and won’t do much out of structure, so the play of his offensive line will be a considerable part of his success or failure. McCord will need to improve his mechanics and decision making, as he transitions to the next level. The reckless decisions and locking onto targets will have to stop. Overall, I don’t see a lot of upside to his game, but with the right fixes, he has a chance to become a solid backup that can come in and manage a game.
| Grade: 57.7 | Round Grade: 7th |
13
Seth Henigan
School: Memphis
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 215 lbs
Strengths:
Henigan is a prototypical pocket passer with the old school size and style that some teams might still favour. He works efficiently within the structure of the offence, showing poise in the pocket and doing a good job of taking what the defence gives him. Henigan makes a living off short passes and being in a good rhythm, though he did pass the ball downfield a little more when he got the chance at the Senior Bowl. He is calm when scanning the field and doesn’t usually lock onto his primary read. Instead, he’ll move away if it is not open. General accuracy is good, and he gives his receivers a chance to make a play.
Weaknesses:
Henigan is lacking when it comes to physical traits. His arm strength is functional, but will limit him when he looks to push it further down the field. He loses a lot of velocity on his passes when he adds distance, which results in more safer plays and check downs. Henigan also lacks the quickness to evade skilled pass rushers that make it into the pocket. His attempts at extending the play usually involve just backing up, unless he has a clear path in front of him, or to the side. In those cases, he can buy a little more time, but even that is insignificant. Henigan reads defences well, but lapses in his decision making still show up at times, and he lets go of more jump balls than you would probably want to see.
Summary:
Henigan is a low ceiling prospect, but has a somewhat decent floor for a potential late rounder. His ability to distribute the ball in the quick game with good timing and accuracy could allow him to have opportunities to compete for a backup job. Maybe, in the right system, he could have success as a spot starter. However, a lack of arm talent and athleticism is a crippling combination in today’s league. Legit starter upside likely doesn’t exist, and he will have to compete for work as a backup. But he brings enough to the table to have a shot at becoming a solid, if unspectacular, game managing backup.
| Grade: 55.1 | Round Grade: 7th |
14
Graham Mertz
School: Florida
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 212 lbs
Strengths:
Mertz enters the NFL with an abundance of starting experience, split between Wisconsin and Florida. You can see it in how poised he is in the pocket. He’s got a slight bounce as he sits in the pocket and is really to unload at any time. Mertz does well to keep his eyes downfield and scan the whole thing, rather than fixate himself on one target or even one section of the field. He can shuffle around in the pocket to buy himself time, and also utilizes pump fakes to get that extra split second. Mertz passes the ball with good accuracy when it comes to the quicker stuff. Has good timing and anticipation.
Weaknesses:
Mertz is severely lacking when it comes to physical tools, which puts a big cap on his upside. Arm strength is below average. He uses good timing and accuracy to connect on shorter passes. However, even on those ones, the lack of velocity is noticeable. As he tries to push it down the field, you can see the ball float, and many of his passes have been undercut. Further, his accuracy takes a dip when he tries to kill it, in an attempt to generate more power in his pass. These deficiencies have led to him being more of a checkdown merchant, which is probably necessary. Athleticism is also a box that is left unchecked. He can move around in the pocket, but is not really a threat to extend the play, let alone go for big gains on the ground. This makes him more vulnerable to oncoming rushers. As I got through his tape, I lost count of how many of his passes were batted down at the line. Was a big problem.
Summary:
Mertz is an experienced QB, and it shows by the way he carries himself in the pocket. Whether under pressure or kept clean, he is composed and can go through his reads to make the smart play. However, his physical tools don’t match. His limited arm strength will make him mostly a checkdown guy, and he also isn’t a threat with his legs. Not a good combo. These deficiencies make QB3 his most likely role, and he’ll probably have to fight for a spot on a practice squad. If he can make some marginal improvements and show in camp/preseason that he can play mistake free football and execute the quick game well enough, perhaps a team will trust him enough to be their second string QB. But that is probably his ceiling.
| Grade: 50.4 | Round Grade: UDFA |
15
Max Brosmer
School: Minnesota
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 217 lbs
Strengths:
Brosmer’s game revolves around timing and operating within structure. He is a smart QB who can process what he sees in front of him. Brosmer can go from one read to the next without locking onto one target, regardless of whether it is open. He throws with good anticipation, which extends his window of opportunity to squeeze in the pass. When throwing down the sideline, he gets good touch on his pass, and trusts his receiver to make a play.
Weaknesses:
Brosmer lacks the kind of traits that get you excited about a QB. His arm strength is average at best and there are times where he can struggle to push the ball down the field. His accuracy also fluctuates quite a bit, with it especially dipping when he tries to drive the ball in. He is pretty steady when things are kept clean, but can force throws when he starts to sense pressure, leading to some turnover worthy plays. Athleticism is also below average, and he lacks the quickness to consistently escape pressure in the pocket. If a rusher gets near, he often has to go into duck and cover mode. On other occasions, he gets clipped before he is able to escape.
Summary:
Brosmer’s mental game will appeal to teams that are looking for a clipboard holder. He sees the field well and can operate within the structure of the offence. However, his lack of physical traits, including arm strength and athleticism, cap his upside. Brosmer will have to compete for a spot. If he can impress in the short game, and perhaps improve a little as a downfield passer, he might earn a practice squad spot from which he can work his way up. Ceiling is a 2nd stringer, but he projects as a QB3 at the next level.
| Grade: 47.4 | Round Grade: UDFA |
2025 QB Rankings:
- Cam Ward (86.2, Rd 1)
- Shedeur Sanders (84.0, Rd 2)
- Jaxson Dart (80.2, Rd 2)
- Jalen Milroe (78.4, Rd 4)
- Quinn Ewers (70.4, Rd 4)
- Tyler Shough (68.2, Rd 5)
- Dillon Gabriel (68.1, Rd 5)
- Riley Leonard (68.0, Rd 5)
- Kurtis Rourke (63.0, Rd 6)
- Brady Cook (61.1, Rd 6)
- Will Howard (60.6, Rd 6)
- Kyle McCord (57.7, Rd 7)
- Seth Henigan (55.1, Rd 7)
- Graham Mertz (50.4, UDFA)
- Max Brosmer (47.4, UDFA)
