With the 2025 NFL draft coming up, who are some of the best comparisons for the quarterback prospects?
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Comparison: Deshaun Watson
Cam Ward has a lot of traits that are similar to Deshaun Watson’s when he came out of Clemson. Both of them rely on their improvisational skills, their ability to use different arm angles, and their ability to create dynamic plays with their arm and legs. However, both of these quarterbacks would often lean on going into playmaker mode too early on, and both had mechanical issues to sort out entering the NFL.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Comparison: Geno Smith
Shedeur Sanders is an accurate, rhythm passer who can extend the ball to all areas of the field. However, he thinks too much of his physical traits, which often leads to poor pocket presence and questionable decision-making. Geno Smith still takes the occasional dumb sack, but he has always been an accurate passer, and his confidence in himself allowed him to get a second act in the NFL and a long career as a competent starter.
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Comparison: Kordell Stewart
Jalen Milroe could be compared to plenty of mobile quarterbacks, including Malik Willis and Jalen Hurts. While Hurts progressed throughout his college career as a passer, Milroe regressed in his final season and while he has similar traits to Willis and would run in a similar offense to what Matt LeFleur designed for Willis, he does have better pocket presence. Stewart had the physical traits, and both lean on the deep ball.
Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
Comparison: Daniel Jones
Tyler Shough is on the Mitch Trubisky – Daniel Jones – Ryan Tannehill spectrum, where it is hard to ignore the physical traits, and if you put them in an offense where he is bowling with the bumpers on, he can hit the upside of some of the high-end Tannehill seasons. Still, his up-and-down decision-making and turnover-worthy moments have him more in the Daniel Jones camp coming out of college.
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Comparison: Drew Lock
In the right offense, when he sees what he needs to see and lets it rip, Dart has the traits to play. However, when the play breaks down and the defense shows something he did not expect, his mechanics tend to slip up, and his decision-making starts to lack. This has limited someone like Lock to being an intriguing backup who can win games with big throws.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Comparison: Jarrett Stidham
Quinn Ewers has a lot of the physical traits that will intrigue NFL teams, but he has never quite lived up to the moment with poor decision-making and questionable off-script mechanics.
Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
Comparison: Jacoby Brissett
Will Howard is a big-bodied passer with an arm that can make a lot of the throws. However, he tends to lack pocket awareness and struggles to speed up his processing, which has kept Brissett in the range of quality backup rather than a fringe starter.
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
Comparison: Brian Hoyer
Kyle McCord is on the Drew Stanton – Brian Hoyer – Kirk Cousins spectrum of players, where if everything broke right, he could turn into a quality starter. However, this will start with his decision-making as he tends to trust his traits more often than needed. He will let it rip and can be a quality backup like Brian Hoyer, but like Hoyer, when the clock strikes midnight the turnovers can come in bunches.
Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Comparison: Jeff Driskel
Leonard has a lot of potential as an athlete, but still needs to work on refining his throwing motion and ability. Will a team give him this time to grow?
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
Comparison: Jake Haener
Dillon Gabriel is a gamer and can make big-time passes in big games, but he lacks the velocity to drive the football over the middle of the field, and as his depth extends, the ball starts to lose its touch. He should stay in the NFL for a long time, but like a backup such as Jake Haener, his physical limitations will hold him back.
