18-04-2025
Patriots 2025 NFL Draft Guide: Quarterbacks
EDITOR'S NOTE: MassLive's Mark Daniels released his Ultimate Patriots Draft Guide for 2025 on Thursday, April 17. This story is an excerpt focused on the Quarterback class.
On a scale from 1-to-10, the Patriots need for a quarterback in this draft falls at a 1. That's a good thing for a rebuilding franchise. After drafting two quarterbacks last year and having Drake Maye for the foreseeable future, the team also signed veteran Josh Dobbs in free agency.
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Why would they draft a quarterback in 2025?
It's easy. After trading Joe Milton III to Dallas this month, the Patriots only have two quarterbacks on the roster. That leaves the door open for the team to add a developmental backup quarterback behind Maye and Dobbs.
Here are the Patriots drafted quarterback averages:
HT
WT
Hand
40
Vert
Broad
3Cone
Shttle
6′2.5
225
9.41
4.87
30.3
9′2
7.22
4.40
Considering this is the most important position in football, it never hurts to take multiple shots in the draft. As we all know, back in 2000, with three veteran quarterbacks on the roster, the Patriots drafted Tom Brady in the sixth round.
Here's a look at some backup options:
Best athletic fit: Tyler Shough, Louisville
HT
WT
Hand
40
Vert
Broad
3Cone
Shttle
6′4
219
9.75
4.63
32
9′9
N/A
N/A
Out of the quarterbacks who tested, Shough hit on five traits – height, hand size, 40 time, vertical and broad jump. He played at Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville in college. Shough suffered a broken leg in 2023. He was one of three winners of the Comeback Player of the Year. Shough threw for 3,195 yards with 23 touchdowns and six interceptions. He's a projected second-round pick.
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Later-round option: Seth Henigan, Memphis
HT
WT
Hand
40
Vert
Broad
3Cone
Shttle
6′3
215
9
4.76
31.5
9′6
7.34
4.44
Henigan also has prototypical athletic traits that the Patriots look for in a quarterback. He hits marks with height, 40 time, vertical, and broad jump. He threw 3,502 yards with 25 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. He set a Memphis school record with 104 career passing touchdowns. He's a projected seventh-round pick and profiles as a backup.
Patriots connection: Will Howard, Ohio State
HT
WT
Hand
40
Vert
Broad
3Cone
Shttle
6′4
236
9
N/A
31.5
9′4
7.13
4.33
The Patriots hired Riley Larkin to be an offensive assistant. Last season, he was an offensive assistant at Ohio State where he worked with quarterbacks. Howard transferred to Ohio State from Kansas State. He threw for 4,010 yards with 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was second in the FBS with a 73.0 completion percentage. He's a projected fourth-round pick. Howard profiles as an above-average backup.
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Patriots connection, part 2: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
HT
WT
Hand
40
Vert
Broad
3Cone
Shttle
5′11
205
9.25
4.79
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Gabriel was named after former Patriots running back Corey Dillon. From Hawaii, he played at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon. He was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 as well as a Heisman Trophy finalist. He finished with 3,857 yards with 30 touchdowns and six interceptions. He's a projected fourth-round pick.
Local connection: Max Brosmer, Minnesota
HT
WT
Hand
40
Vert
Broad
3Cone
Shttle
6′1
217
9.25
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Brosmer played in New England at the University of New Hampshire from 2019-2023. He was one of the best FCS quarterbacks for multiple seasons. Last year, he transferred to Minnesota where he set a school record for completions (268). Brosmer threw for 2,828 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. He's a projected Day 3 pick.
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