With the draft clock ticking, Ross Tucker and Derrik Klassen break down this year’s NFL QB draft class one last time on the latest episode of The Ross Tucker Football Podcast.
There may still be questions about this year’s quarterback class, but Cam Ward looks locked in as the first signal caller to come off the board. Klassen expressed that he liked Ward coming into the season, but did not think Ward was going to be “No. 1 pick” good. However, he saw him as a top 50 prospect overall, with the potential to become a high-caliber player if he continued to improve his skills. Klassen stressed that Ward has steadily progressed at each stage of his career from high school to college. In addition to being able to improve and consistently have an A-/B+ arm, Klassen told Tucker that Ward possesses his favorite trait — the ability to make any throw on the field without fear, even if it occasionally backfires. Furthermore, Klassen noted that this trait is common among today’s great quarterbacks, such as Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes.
The biggest mystery is who comes in at QB2, and for Klassen, it’s Shedeur Sanders. He admits he is not the biggest fan of Sanders and does not believe he is a true first-round caliber prospect. That said, he views Sanders as a second-round prospect in the class of a Jimmy Garoppolo, Andy Dalton or Derek Carr, where you are not seen as a special player but more so a project that you hope you can get production from. Klassen suggested that a first-round quarterback prospect usually has an athletic or physical trait that you can be sold on. To that point, Sanders possesses the intelligence, accuracy and toughness to be a starter. However, he lacks the high-level arm talent and athleticism typically seen in a first-round QB prospect. Tucker noted that teams like the Steelers are still in the market for steady quarterback play while Klassen joked that if Kenny Pickett could have played more like Dalton, the Steelers would be just fine.
Tyler Shough checks in as Klassen’s QB3 in this year’s Draft. Initially, he had his concerns about Shough, considering his age (26) and his injury history. Klassen added that his last year at Louisville was good, but not spectacular. However, when you watch Shough’s film, you start to see what everyone is raving about. Klassen mentioned that outside of Ward, Shough has the next best arm in the 2025 class and his ability to throw with velocity and multiple arm angles will translate well into today’s NFL. Klassen noted that while younger QBs like Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe can make a few head-scratching decisions, Shough might not be the fastest, but he makes good decisions with the football, and you can usually understand why he makes the throws he does. Although his ceiling is unknown, Klassen emphasized that if you can get Shough later in the draft, you could get some quality starts from him.
Moving down the board, Klassen likes Milroe as a prospect, but expressed that his film does have some rough spots. Klassen considers Milroe a “one-speed” passer who can throw the ball 100 mph, which is suitable for throwing into tight windows; however, Milroe lacks the ability to throw with touch like other prospects in this class. Klassen pointed out that Milroe’s footwork can become uncoordinated the longer he holds onto the football. Klassen compared the quick release of Milroe’s throws to what he called a classic Michael Vick flick of the wrist. Klassen pointed out that Milroe’s running ability is exceptional, and he is one of the most talented ball carriers Klassen’s ever seen at the position. The way Milroe’s teammates and coaches speak highly of him makes him someone you would want in your locker room. Ultimately, Klassen views Milroe as a third-round pick.
The rest of the quarterbacks on Klassen’s list are guys he finds more challenging to buy into as true starting-caliber players. Klassen’s tagline for Dart is the next best quarterback to come out of the Lane Kiffin-Art Briles-like system. Klassen added that he struggles with evaluating that style of quarterback. Klassen mentioned that he likes what he sees from Kyle McCord. While he projects McCord to be a high-level backup, if you are looking for someone in this Draft to just keep the wheels on the track, so to speak, and run an offense, McCord is that guy.
Another prospect that Klassen finds intriguing is Quinn Ewers. Klassen said he had a hard time evaluating Ewers because while he came into this season being considered by some as a top prospect, Klassen finds him undersized with an average arm. That average arm appeared to get even worse as the season went along, as Ewers was battling through injuries. Klassen highlighted that Ewers is more athletic than advertised; however, in the pocket, he can become antsy. Klassen observed Ewers’ inability to process things in the pocket as a key deficiency. Klassen views his ceiling as that of Baker Mayfield, assuming everything goes right for him. Ewers’ tendency to hesitate when things break down makes him feel more like a backup than a sure-fire starter.
Check out Ross’ full conversation with Klassen 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
2025 NFL Draft Preview with Derrik Klassen
VIDEO:
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