NFL Draft: Top 14 Quarterbacks Browns must target on draft day

USA Today

24-04-2025

NFL Draft: Top 14 Quarterbacks Browns must target on draft day
The 2025 quarterback class is an intriguing group of potential NFL starters. The class isn't as strong at the top of the class as in years past, but there are a lot of options on the second day of the NFL draft. Top quarterback prospect Cam Ward is a fascinating watch, with incredible arm strength and control. He has all the potential to develop into a top-eight quarterback in the NFL.
The class is a crap shoot at quarterback after Ward. Evaluators seem confused about who should be the next quarterback taken. Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, and Tyler Shough are all interesting options after Ward. There's a strong divide in the class between quarterbacks with experience running an offense and toolsy quarterbacks with the best collection of traits. Quarterbacks like Kyle McCord, Quinn Ewers, Kurtis Rourke and Will Howard are intriguing day three options who blend the best attributes from both sides.
Here is a breakdown of the top 14 quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft.
1. Cam Ward, Miami
Cam Ward is the top quarterback prospect in the draft. Ward is an inspiration, going from a zero-star high school quarterback running a Wing-T offense to a Heisman candidate and number one pick in the NFL draft. I followed his career since his freshman year, as I've been amazed by his talent. Ward is a wizard in the backfield. The 6-foot-1 quarterback is a compact speedster. He has a powerful arm that can access a ton of throwing ranges. He can rocket passes through tiny windows in the defense. It's made him a lot of fun to watch as an improviser throughout his career. However, the quarterback relies far too much on his improvisational skills and gets him burned too frequently. Ward struggles to conduct an offense with proper tempo. He's improved in that area with every successive season, but there's still a lot to be desired. Ward could struggle mightily in the NFL as defenses punish quarterbacks for their lack of precision. He has all the tools to be a top quarterback in the NFL, but he must learn how and when to deploy them. I'm excited to see how his career will pay out.
2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Shedeur Sanders enters the draft as the player with the most preconceived notions about him. It's impossible to divorce him as the son of Deion Sanders, especially since he was his coach, but he's not a hyper-athletic and brash quarterback. Sanders is a humble professional who wants to operate from the pocket. He is a pure pocket passer who wants to command an offense. Sanders has the brain and work ethic to produce in the passing game. He has above-average arm talent and can access every portion of the field. He delivers a catchable ball with good placement. However, his arm strength doesn't give him a much room for error with his timing. Sanders could grow into an outstanding quarterback, but his lack of elite physical tools will keep him from the upper echelon of quarterback play. Sanders is worth a first-round pick.
3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Jalen Milroe is one of the most physically dominating quarterback prospects. Milroe is a 6-foot-1, 220-pound tank complete with a cannon for an arm. He is a speed demon who can take over games with his running ability. Milroe's arm doesn't always function properly. Milroe's awful throwing form is the major source of his inaccuracy. His arm also only fires at one speed: hypersonic. He has no arc or touch on his throws. They're simply getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible. For two years, Milroe has worked with quarterback coach Jordan Palmer to change his throwing motion. Milroe unveiled his new throwing motion at the combine, and it looked smoother and less robotic. He must show he won't revert to his dysfunctional style during live reps.
Milroe is a unique quarterback, as teams must adapt their playbooks to him. Offenses featuring a lot of quarterback run plays tend to have a high floor, as defenses are forced to defend them differently. However, their ceilings are always resting on the quarterback's arm. The Philadelphia Eagles have had great success with Jalen Hurts, while the Indianapolis Colts have found little success with Anthony Richardson. Milroe has ties with Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, as they were a botched snap away from the National Championship game at Alabama during the 2023 season. The team might want to reunite the pair. Milroe is worth a second-round pick.
4. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
Kurtis Rourke is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL draft. He led Indiana to the College Football Playoffs while playing the entire season with a torn ACL. He had surgery in January, which prevented him from participating in the draft process. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback has ideal size for the position. Rourke doesn't have a cannon for an arm, but he can make every throw on the field. Rourke has the best touch in the class. He layers throws to the second and third level over the outstretched hands of defenders. Rourke tosses beautiful moon balls up the sideline. Rourke will celebrate his 25th birthday at the start of the NFL season. He is an experienced quarterback, starting his career at Ohio University. Rourke is the best in the class at commanding an offense, conducting it, and playing in rhythm. He's great at identifying coverages pre-snap. He ties his footwork to the route and throws the ball at the top of his drop to an open receiver. When Rourke is forced to hold onto the ball, he remains calm in the pocket, knowing the backside dig route will open up. Rourke's ability to remember the answers while a defender runs full-steam at him is a rare trait. Rourke is a starting-level quarterback who could thrive under a wide zone offense. He's worthy of a second-round pick, even if he's likely going on day three of the draft.
5. Kyle McCord, Syracuse
Kyle McCord was chased out of Ohio after a disastrous 2023 campaign. The quarterback bounced back with a strong season for Syracuse, leading college football in passing yards. He could sit in the pocket and rip throws as Syracuse lived and died with his arm. McCord's aggressiveness occasionally burned him, but his 34 touchdowns greatly outweighed his 12 interceptions. McCord throws with great touch and accuracy. He has above-average arm strength. McCord is a distributor who knows where to go with the ball. McCord's biggest flaw is his movement skills. He's an average athlete but struggles to throw on the move. He'll need to improve his technique to thrive in the NFL, as so many teams rely play-action boots. McCord is a point guard who must bceome a game manager at the next level. He projects as a long-term backup with the upside to become a starting quarterback.
6. Cam Miller, North Dakota State
Cam Miller is the most underrated quarterback in the draft class. The 6-foot North Dakota State University quarterback won two FCS championships and walks away with the most wins in FCS history. It's hard not to overlook the undersized quarterback. Miller is an experienced quarterback who has a deep understanding of defenses. The quarterback quickly diagnoses players before delivering a catchable ball with pinpoint accuracy. He's always throwing at the top of his drop-back. Miller has average arm strength and can access every portion of the field. Miller is an average athlete,but might have the best brain in the class. He must better navigate the pocket in the next level, as they'll be far more congested than in college. Miller's brain should give him a decade-long career in the NFL as a backup, and another few decades as a coach. He would be a great option in the third round.
7. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart has one of the best arms in the class. The quarterback can throw 60-yard bombs with ease. It's hard to watch him throw a big post route and not fall in love. Dart has the arm and athleticism to be a productive NFL starter. His biggest question mark is his football IQ. Dart has 41 starts in his career, 38 with Ole Miss. But he doesn't look like an experienced quarterback. He struggles with diagnosing plays pre-snap, and he's slow on his reads. Dart should've been further along in his third year of the system. It's hard to envision he'll succeed in the NFL if he can't read defense. He has all the tools to succeed in the NFL, but it could take him years to develop into a competent quarterback. He's a solid option for teams in the third round.
8. Quinn Ewers, Texas
Quinn Ewers was the former top-ranked quarterback recruit in the nation. Ewers spent a season at Ohio State before transferring to Texas. Ewers has led the Longhorns to two successful seasons. He has a fantastic arm and throws the ball well on the move. Ewers has two major weaknesses. He melts down under pressure and will attempt horrific throws to avoid sacks. Ewers struggled to read defenses and never got a firm command of Steve Sarkisian's run-pass-option offense. Ewers will need years to adjust to the NFL. He is a talented player and could thrive in a zone offense that can get him on the move with simplified reads. He'll likely spend most of his career as a backup. He's another solid option in the third round.
9. Tyler Shough, Louisville
Tyler Shough is the oldest quarterback in the class, he committed to Oregon before transferring to Texas Tech in 2021. He spent three seasons with the Red Raiders before the last season with Louisville. Shough has only started 32 career games in his seven seasons of college football. He has a long history of injuries at the collegiate level that ended many of his seasons early. Shough has the prototypical size for the position at 6-foot-4, 225-pounds. He has a howitzer for an arm and is strong enough to shake defenders off. Shough isn't a traditional pocket passer; he plays as an improviser, always hunting for the big play. Shough plays the game aggressively, and it can lead to big plays and boneheaded decisions. He must gain control of his wild streaks to succeed in the NFL. He's a loose cannon with a big arm. Shough is worth a flyer on day three of the NFL draft.
10. Will Howard, Ohio State
Will Howard is the reigning championship quarterback. Howard had an up-and-down year before hitting his stride in the college football playoffs. Howard trusted his eyes and threw the ball confidently over the season's last four games. He had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde moment after a rough regular season at Ohio State. The 6-foot-4, 236-pound quarterback is an above-average athlete with an average arm. He struggles to access the deep portions of the field. Howard must prove he can run an offense in the NFL. Howard's physical skills make him an intriguing option on day three of the NFL draft.
11. Max Brosmer, Minnesota
Max Brosmer is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the class. Brosmer started his career at New Hampshire before transferring to Minnesota. The former FCS All-American has started 47 games in his six seasons of college football. Brosmer is a cerebral quarterback who knows how to operate an offense. The 6-foot-1 quarterback doesn't have the athleticism or arm to thrive at the NFL level, but he could make a competent backup. He should go in the back half of day three in the NFL draft.
12. Seth Henigan, Memphis
Seth Henigan is one of the most experienced quarterback prospects. He's started 50 games in four years for the Memphis Tigers. The Tigers have grown their offense around Henigan, adapting to his strengths and weaknesses. Henigan left Memphis as the career leader of all of their passing records. Henigan is a 6-foot-3 pocket passer. He has limited arm strength, but good touch and accuracy. Henigan will make a good backup quarterback in the NFL who can start in place of an emergency. Henigan would be a good option on day three for teams looking for a third quarterback to develop.
13. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel is another highly experienced quarterback option. Gabriel has started 63 games in his six seasons of college football. Gabriel started his career at UCF for three seasons, before transferring to Oklahoma for two seasons, and finishing his career at Oregon. He is an undersized distributor, he's 5-foot-11 with average arm strength. Gabriel doesn't have the physical abilities to succeed in the NFL, but he could develop into a serviceable backup. He is a fine option at the end of day three.
14. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Riley Leonard started his collegiate career at Duke before transferring to Notre Dame for his final season. The quarterback started 37 games during his four seasons. Leonard is an experienced quarterback with a 6-foot-3 210-pound frame. Leonard is an average athlete with a subpar arm. His limited skill set makes it unlikely he'll succeed at the NFL level. However, the quarterback is smart enough to hang on as a backup throughout his career. Riley is a worthy selection at the end of day three.