DKNetwork Logo DKNetwork Logo
Who are the top 2025 NFL Draft QB prospects?

Who are the top 2025 NFL Draft QB prospects?

NFL DraftKings Network Featured Videos

Published:

By: Darian Kelly

Greg Cosell joined Ross Tucker on the Ross Tucker Podcast to break down the top college quarterback prospects in this year’s draft and what key traits they will bring to their respective NFL Teams.

With the scouting combine set to take place next week, we are edging closer to a hallmark of the NFL offseason: the NFL Draft. A lot has been said about this incoming quarterback draft class regarding whether there are any transcendent franchise signal callers. As someone who has analyzed quarterbacks for many years, Cosell shares that the overall sentiment is that this is not a great QB prospect draft class. He admits that most talent evaluators quickly identify traits and attributes of quarterbacks instead of how those skills can be deployed in an actual NFL offense. He explained that there are very few transcendent quarterbacks, where you can simply put a quarterback in any system and tell him to go out and play.

The quarterback that jumped out to Cosell the most is Miami quarterback Cam Ward. Cosell expressed that he has higher-level quarterback traits, including a live arm and the ability to work from all three pocket levels. Ward can throw with touch and velocity, although Cosell expressed that there have been concerns about his looseness and lack of discipline in his style of play. However, Cosell pointed out that there was a similar critique of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes when he was being evaluated as a draft prospect. Granted, Cosell does not know how to coach that aspect of Ward’s game; however, in his opinion, Ward is QB1 of this class. Tucker added that Ward produced for three different universities in his college career, implying that his adaptability should be seen as a feather in his cap as a prospect.

University of Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough’s film also made a strong impression on Cosell. He said he wouldn’t be surprised if Shough’s name were thrown around as someone moving up on the team’s draft boards. Although he is 24, Cosell said that he had spoken with former NFL GMs about that issue and confirmed that it was not a problem, especially given that quarterbacks are playing into their mid-30s. He alluded to how his injury history could be a concern. However, Shough has ideal NFL quarterback measurables at 6-foot-5 and 224 pounds and looks the part and Cosell noted that the Cardinals signal-caller has clean mechanics and is good at the little details, like staying on the mid-line. Although he may be seen by most as a true pocket passer, he has just enough mobility to get first downs with his added off-platform play-making ability. Cosell says he does not know where Shough will get drafted, but his film stands out. Tucker agreed with Cosell that Shough is generating some buzz because most of the NFL Draft conversation regarding quarterbacks had been centered around Ward, Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart. Cosell emphasized there is a difference between playing quarterback at 6-foot-1 versus 6-foot-5 and that Shough’s size makes him an attractive option.

Colorado‘s Sanders is number three on Cosell’s quarterback big board. Cosell likes Sanders and explained that he throws a beautiful football, has good ball placement and throws above average on the move. Cosell stressed that he has to clean up some things in the pocket, as he does not have great pocket awareness and holds the ball in one hand. He admits these things can be cleaned up with good coaching. Sanders was under A LOT of defensive pressure on the field during his collegiate career in Boulder, which put him in positions where he had to retreat backward, another lousy habit Sanders had to break. Overall, Cosell believes he is a shorter pocket passer and a true distributor of the football. With quarterbacks like this, Cosell thinks it comes down to the offensive system fitting him, where a strong offensive line and running game support. Sanders is often compared to Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. Despite that, Cosell does not see these deficiencies in Sanders’ game as preventing him from being a starting quarterback in the NFL.

A quarterback that Tucker wanted Cosell to elaborate on is Alabama‘s Jalen Milroe. Tucker says that Milroe is someone who has STRONG physical traits but did not quite make the jump last season he thought he would have made. In fact, he is even surprised he declared for the draft rather than returning for another year on campus. For Cosell, Milroe has a big arm and is dynamically explosive as a runner compared to an old-school fullback with SPEED. He has the ideal arm strength but does not have the nuances and the subtlety of a pocket passer at this point in his development regarding the timing and footwork. Tucker compared him to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, and Cosell emphasized that Milroe needs to be a part of a similar offense.

Check out Ross’ full conversation with Cosell in the full video or podcast below. And make sure to tune into the Ross Tucker Podcast on DraftKings Network! See more about how to watch DraftKings Network here.

SHOW BREAKDOWN

Greg Cosell’s Top 4 QB Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft

  • Ross is joined by Greg Cosell to break down his top quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft including Cam Ward, Miami: 8:10 Tyler Shough, Louisville: 12:00 Shedeur Sanders, Colorado: 15:45 Jalen Milroe, Alabama: 19:10

VIDEO:

Check out the Ross Tucker YouTube page for more and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also follow the show on X at @rosstuckerpod and Ross at @rosstuckernfl.

Darian Kelly

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.