HogsNSaints
ALL-MADDEN TEAM
Offline
For those of you who haven't read my prior-years' posts ranking X amount at each position, I rank as many of a position group as I think makes sense to rank (10 QBs were tough tbh). I do not and would not EVER claim to know very much about things like talent-evaluation, scouting, etc. I am just a nerd (like many of you) and this kind of stuff keeps me from thinking about the taxes I have to pay next month.. That, and I always forget "what I felt about a player" 3-5 years down the line, so I love having these archived to see how wrong/right I was. I hope you guys enjoy these, and I hope you like the comparisons. Feel free to bash me, I promise I have built-up thick skin! I am also wrong a lot, so if you say my opinion sucks - there's a good chance you're right. Just know I'll never bump the bad calls and I will always bump the good ones! 
#10. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
The Player - The evaluation of Gabriel as a player going into the NFL is overwhelmingly negative from my standpoint, but really should be used more as a testament to the player himself and his ability to max-out some of his natural gifts (or lack thereof) and propel himself to quarterbacking what was the best team in college football for 95% of the 2024 season. At only 5'11, and with only middling arm talent and athleticism, Gabriel has to be ahead of the game in terms of reading and throwing on time and being consistently accurate with the football. The game tape I have watched just doesn't lead me to believe he has elite anticipation and the pinpoint-ability to do that with tighter NFL windows, and without superior talent on the other end of his passes. That being said, it's hard not to love the maturity. The fact that he could take a scathing review of his upside, and drive to exceed the narrative placed on him, again - is a great reason to root for him. So, this is one * attempted evaluation that I hope I am very wrong about.
Spectrum Comparison - I like to do my best effort with a ceiling: floor comparison, so to avoid looking like a fool when a player vastly disappoints or vastly exceeds the single-comp I place on them. When going through players I loved in the same vein as Garbriel - the "most-fitting" comparison I could think-up was another former Oregon QB I really, really WANTED to have higher than I was ever able to push him, which is Vernon Adams Jr. Like Gabriel, Adams Jr had sub-par size and only average arm talent - so in spite of being a reliable protector of the ball, and seemingly always making smart, mature decisions in his last year (both with the Ducks) - when the level jumped, he just didn't have the traits to ascend and be an NFL starting-caliber QB. On the other end of the spectrum, I think Gabriel's ceiling is that of a guy like Doug Flutie, where he can maturely, capably lead his offense, but only at a replacement-level.
T#8/#9. Riley Leonard/Will Howard, Notre Dame & Ohio State
The Player(s) - I've said it in isolated threads, but now I will say it here in what I would consider my own "official" opinion about these prospects - if these two were in different draft classes they be EASY comps to one another, for me. Don't get me wrong, there are a handful of meaningful differences that I think could create ascension of one above the other at the next level, but I think their "make-or-break" qualities to be an NFL-caliber QB are the same. Much in the way I spoke about Gabriel, I think these two QBs being the men battling out in the National Championship game shows exactly what they were as college QBs. They are good athletes with solid size and physical make-up, very good leaders, and both have the mental make-up/football IQ to galvanize an entire offense. All around, two really good FOOTBALL players. The worry for me would be how "special" any of their qualities are as passers - and if that scrum-style something that could possibly translate to the NFL consistently and with longevity. I am hesitant and would lean a lot more towards no, than yes on that front. I prefer Howard slightly, just because I think he has the slightly superior arm talent and more natural athleticism, but I think Leonard shows more consistent accuracy and took better care of the football.
Spectrum Comparison - Because I think the pitfalls with both guys are the same, and they both remind me of the same player as a (somewhat terrifying) "floor" - I want to put out the name Craig Krenzel as my cautionary tale comparison for both QBs. You can certainly see the fears with these two. I think they were both plugged into college systems ready-made for their style and the one-year pop they led both schools to. I think to live in that Josh Allen-esque scrum style of play, you need a special physical presence and you need to compliment the rugby-style with an arm that can stretch an NFL defense. I say NFL defense because, they did it in college - but threatening and stretching a college defense is a lot different than the ground to be covered at that next level. I just don't know if these two have the gifts to push beyond a middling ceiling. Interestingly, if you know the Duke history and what some of the buzz was with the guy last season, prior to transferring to Notre Dame, I think Riley Leonard's ceiling is Daniel Jones. With more natural lateral movement, and a higher ceiling with the room I think that exists to grow, I would say Will Howard's ceiling is Ryan Tannehill.
#7. Kyle McCord, Syracuse
The Player(s) - McCord is a tough eval, from the 2023 to 2024 tape adjustment alone. I do not know that the through-the-roof skill improvement happened as much as I think maybe McCord and that system at OSU were just square peg, round hole. I think what you see when you watch McCord's tape is what I would call a self-starter as a passer. He excels in the off-script and his most thumbs-up throws are outside of the 3-step, 5-step drop. He's clearly a gunslinger, but I think the question will be - how big is the barrel on the gun? The move from his style of play to Howard's made a world of difference for Ohio State and was clearly the right move - but what you see is what you are going to get from McCord, and the talent around him be damned. You have to commend a QB that will "give his guys chances", and I think that largely explains why he was able to have more success at Syracuse, despite inferior pass-catchers on paper. His new home allowed him to move away from the get guys in space Ohio State bread and butter into a read-it, rip-it offense that really seemed comfortable for him. He has the same ultimate question I have with the last 3 prospects - just how special are his traits?
Spectrum Comparison - I think this is close to just a true 1 for 1 comp to make - so, Gardner Minshew is the comparable player that McCord immediately gives me. I do, however, think that is likely his ceiling. When he gets rhythmic, he can stack completions and move the football in a hurry. It's just so hard to consistently manipulate and beat an NFL defense with your arm when you don't have the special arm strength to get it over their heads, or the accuracy/touch to drive on a throw and fit it into tight windows consistently. Just as easily as I could see McCord having one team truly believe he has the qualities to be an NFL starting QB, I can see him finishing a career with more INTs than TDs, like another guy I see, Kellen Clemens, as his floor when I compare that penchant for pushing the ball down the field, but with inconsistency in his ball-placement. He's a gunslinger, but he looks like he is maybe a Taurus, not a Smith & Wesson.
#6. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
The Player(s) - I am considerably lower on Dart than many, but I think from 7-3 is where we will likely get the most disparity in all of our QB evals, and IMO they all have pros and cons worth discussing. I personally see Dart as a lot closer to McCord than he is to, say, Shedeur or Ward, at the top of this class. But, I do think there is meaningfully more arm-talent, and that goes a very long way in the fact that his ceiling is significantly higher - but consistency reading is a major fear, for me. The Florida tape, IMO, maybe be the single worst single-game film that exists on any of these 10 prospects - and it is because they baited him in ways NFL defenses would challenge him every week. Dart actually looks his most impressive against the blitz. When he gets the pre-snap look or sees the pressure coming, he is good at delivering to the open space and getting it there accurately, on a rope. It's when there's heavy-zone or good coverage-disguises, etc that he tends to make mistakes or just not know where to go with the football - until he either takes a sack or bails on the read to move out and try to work off-script, which he did not do well enough at Ole Miss.
Spectrum Comparison - Dart is the exact reason I want something like a "spectrum comparison" to exist. While I look at someone McCord as someone that's ceiling and floor are not too far apart, I think it is within the range of outcomes that Dart cleans up his worst qualities, and his good becomes great. Therefore, I can certainly see him having the biggest gap between his floor and ceiling among all of these prospects. While I could see him being a practice squad/out of the league name in a matter of 2-3 years, I can also see him cleaning up mistakes in what he is seeing - to be an NFL starting QB. Will Grier is where I would start the conversation about Dart's floor, as a guy that had that same attacking approach when throwing into replacement windows or making a pre-snap read, and delivering the ball on a rope. He was a player that worked extremely well within the confines of his college system, but hit a wall when he faced defenses that were better at manipulating the read and baiting bad throws. On the flip side, there's a lot of Baker Mayfield in there. He may (similarly) hit some growing pains when it comes to the play-sequence reads - but keep growing and overcome to be a true NFL caliber starter.
#5. Quinn Ewers, Texas
The Player(s) - The way I see 7 versus 6 is similar to how I look at my 5 versus my 4 - in that I see a few somewhat similar qualities between the two that I love, and don't so much love, but I prefer one more than the other from a workable-qualities to get to the next-level perspective. I prefer Ewers to a guy like Dart, because I think his path to being "his best" requires quite a bit smaller hurdle to overcome. He has some of the same issues with some of the drop-8/heavy zone disguises that Dart has - but I am very impressed with Ewers' ability to know when to be safe with the ball, and knowing when it is time to take shots for a chunk play. He can "do both" as I would call it - take what they give him and be a "game manager", but he can also be aggressive when it's time to take some shots. He has had a lot of talent to work with over his last two seasons, and it definitely stands out when you are watching film. He's going to deal with a lot smaller windows at the next level. But, with the way he read defenses and protected the ball - I think he can actually ascend and hone those skills even more to be a guy that sticks around in the NFL for a good amount of time.
Spectrum Comparison - I think a good comparison for Quinn Ewers, is actually the Saints own - Derek Carr. I am going to put that name out as "ceiling", but I would certainly want to qualify it with - I think he is a close comp "ceiling-wise" to the 2016 version of Derek Carr, who I am not sure ever was able to get back to that level. For Carr, it was a year that seemed like everything came together and he flipped the switch between taking what was there and pushing to the ball to make plays when they needed them, seamlessly. I think there are clean-up, NFL-maturation type fixes Ewers can make to get up there.. What I can also see would be him settling into more of the Case Keenum (floor) type, in that he can represent some stability with his skillset, but maybe he never rises to a level that beats "replacement quality".
#4. Max Brosmer, Minnesota
The Player(s) - This will likely be my longest evaluation, just because with consensus being where it is on most of these guys - this is the ranking I feel the need to "show my work" on. Brosmer is as "my guy" as it gets, so I completely understand and expect no one else to see what I think of this guy. I would say with the exception of McCord, the guys named to this point have had a massive advantage when it comes to who is on the other end of their throws. At the level of competition Brosmer was playing at in the Big 10, with what I would consider a massively inferior group of skill guys (and OL) - his tape is very intriguing. Going back to what I said about Dart against Florida, the BEST single-game tape I think I have watched on a QB this cycle is Brosmer carving up Maryland. To that, I would also add - there are week to week improvements you can see with Brosmer, who was coming into the Big 10 from New Hampshire and did have a steep learning curve. He really hit his stride two weeks before that MD game against USC - and from October through the end of the season, he completed 70% of his passes for a 12:2 TD:INT ratio - against his stiffest competition. What stands out to me is the accuracy and anticipation throwing short-to-intermediate and throwing between the hashes up the seam. His touch throwing fade is beautiful. You can see the guy working through progressions quickly and rarely does he get off balance or force a throw that isn't there. Also, while investing in him being a yes in terms of on-field tape, I dove into some of his interviews. He is clearly a between-the-ears player, with a deep understanding of his job as the QB and 3-level reads. He is smaller than ideal, at a true 6'1 and I do think there is a case to be brought up about just how strong his arm is and if his ceiling can really bust through given a non-special cannon. I actually think throwing at the combine may have a bad effect on his stock, just because he did not get the crazy depth on some of those deep balls they are throwing (for some reason). But, he is not the shorts and t-shirts watch-me-throw-70 yards-down-the-field guy. I think what he could be is an elite level-manager, if I am right.
Spectrum Comparison - I truly believe this is the 2025 Brock Purdy. It is largely what I have been singing for him, and I will make that his ceiling - because I still believe that to be an extremely high quality ceiling, that he honestly may never obtain. Quarterbacks that show to have it upstairs to stay invested in football concepts and knowing exactly what they are seeing and learning to progress throughout reads and differentiate coverage disguises- while also having the short to intermediate ability to a) throw the ball on time in relation to the in-breaking, out-breaking routes, and b) throw the ball in tight windows - I just appreciate from a plug-and-play perspective. For me, the love for Brosmer is not necessarily because of a "high-ceiling", I just appreciate that he could be an easy answer to stabilizing if the arm is good enough. I would be willing to acknowledge a low floor, comparably I'll say Kurt Benkert (a guy I loved years ago) because IF the arm just is not NFL-good enough, I would really love him to be a talking head somewhere. You can tell the guy just gets it from what the QB needs to be.
#3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
The Player(s) - Full disclosure, I honestly can't believe I have ranked Milroe this high after not liking his tape, at all. This is clearly projection over what he has been to this point in his career. There just are some qualities within the player and with regard to a changing NFL that just make him a much higher-ceiling prospect than the majority of the class. The way he can explode into running lanes, while also throwing a very, very good deep-ball - if you can build an offense around the skillset, he can fill a role that works. He has to fundamentally change the way he plays the position if he is going to ascend to "what he could be". He is never going to be the nickel and dimer, capable of consistently winning with anticipatory throws. His decision making needs to improve drastically. It is very concerning that during his tenure, at ALABAMA, he refused too many times to chalk a play up as a lost play and move to the next - and instead turned bad into horrible, way too often. Again, the evaluation is based on what he "could" be, not what he is. I don't think he is draftable if he can't make major changes to the way he plays the position. The thing is, I don't know that I can look at the player, the skillset, and his mental make-up without thinking he can feasibly turn the corner.
Spectrum Comparison - Let me take back what I said about Dart having the most volatile floor: ceiling. That is all Milroe is, as a prospect. His ceiling is Jalen Hurts, and I would go one step further to say - his only path to success as an NFL QB is to BECOME what Jalen Hurts is (style of play). I think there have been game manager-types in the past that were fairly mobile - but Hurts is the first true "rushing game manager", as far as I am concerned. Milroe doesn't have a ton of the anticipatory talent or the accuracy that it would take to win that way as a QB. I don't believe he has to be that to succeed. There is a blueprint and there are plenty of offenses willing to mold a roster around that scrum-style of play. If he can't reign in some of the over-aggression, or the bad decisions and impatience that go along with forcing throws - there are plenty of incredibly talented athlete QBs that did not fit what the NFL was needing out of them. Milroe can be Hurts if he chisels away the bad - Bryce Perkins if he doesn't.
#2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
The Player(s) - Major degrees of separation between the first 8 and the next 2. I think there are 2 true franchise prospects that you're chasing if you need a new leader at the position, and are looking outside of development with eyes towards what they can be after years of polish. I am extremely bullish on these two guys, and my love for Shedeur is going to be diluted because I love the other guy a touch more. As much as I love Brosmer's accuracy, Shedeur is one of the most accurate short-to-intermediate passers I can remember watching tape on. His timing getting the ball out is impeccable and consistent. He is hitting receivers in-stride, out of their break, and with one of those "catchable balls" that doesn't get enough mention. His touch and "how much zip" goes onto each throw is so perfect. The only guy I have seen more consistently be perfect with their touch on film is Joe Burrow. The knocks are barely knocks, as far as I am concerned. His arm strength is not going to be top of the league, but I don't think he needs it. He may add some weight for durability, but it's not detrimental.
Spectrum Comparison - I think Shedeur's floor is the current version of Geno Smith. I think Geno grew as a passer throughout his career in the NFL and worked himself into what Shedeur is naturally as a thrower of those timing-routes. His frame is very similar, and I think he's going to want to win deep with timing and touch, as opposed to throwing over the back-end with a special arm - but there is nothing to suggest he doesn't have that full vision of the field - to see his outside leverage and get that ball out. I think he's actually kind of underrated when it comes to reading through progressions. It feels like in many ways, Shedeur has shown on tape that the only knock that "could" exist on him are attitude or you just place arbitrary size/physical gift parameters at the position. For that reason, my favorite comparison that I see for Shedeur is Kurt Warner. I think the two match in their decisiveness. I think they match in terms of mechanics and that quick release. I think he has shown (with Hunter) that he knows how to get the ball to his stars, but he also doesn't have a lot of tape showing forced balls. I think he's closer to Warner than any other comp.
#1. Cam Ward, Miami
The Player(s) - I can't say enough positive about Cam Ward as a prospect. He has solid size and carries a bit more muscle than Shedeur. He has shown top-of-the-league arm strength, but also has shown that he can take what is given. He gets the ball out quick, and it is rarely without a pre-snap diagnosis, which I appreciate. He is mobile and moves extremely well in the pocket, making some eye-opening plays scrambling, but make no mistake - he is trying to let it rip, not take off and run. He, like Shedeur, has a real knack to throttle the touch up and down based on the situation. He just seems like a guy that trusts what he sees and has all of the ability you could want from your QB to take what he sees and make the play. There were very few "bad" notes I had from watching his tape. Even some of the forces were somewhat necessary based on circumstances. He's just a head-smart player with the talent to match. I've watched QB tape since about 2015, and though I try my best to avoid speaking in hyperbole - I think Ward is firmly inside my Top 5 evaluations since then. I would have him behind Burrow and Lawrence, certainly, but he's as good as the next crop I've watched.
Spectrum Comparison - I'll start with floor, because I think he is a surefire good NFL QB unless he just strictly does not have the discipline to lead an NFL unit, or faces significant injury to derail him - like Carson Wentz. That is a difficult thing to predict, but it is also very hard to just throw out, "hey, this guy will for sure be a great QB".. because guys bust all the time. I didn't like Sam Darnold near as much as I like Cam Ward, because Darnold was never as good in college as Ward - but that's a similar arm-talent that fluked for a really long time. I just feel like you have to bank on guys not facing those kinds of issues when they have special qualities - and my closer comp for Ward is a guy I see as an incredibly similar skillset. It's a skillset that I think will really excel in the 2025 NFL, and that's why I am excited to see how Cam Ward looks at the next level. To me, everything about Cam Ward suggests he's a modern-era Donovan McNabb. The way McNabb used to flawlessly navigate a pocket to find a lane to throw, and then carve defenses in the early-mid 00s matches Ward's Miami tape to a tee. I think Ward just has the talent to continue to do that at the next level and ascend even higher.
#10. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
The Player - The evaluation of Gabriel as a player going into the NFL is overwhelmingly negative from my standpoint, but really should be used more as a testament to the player himself and his ability to max-out some of his natural gifts (or lack thereof) and propel himself to quarterbacking what was the best team in college football for 95% of the 2024 season. At only 5'11, and with only middling arm talent and athleticism, Gabriel has to be ahead of the game in terms of reading and throwing on time and being consistently accurate with the football. The game tape I have watched just doesn't lead me to believe he has elite anticipation and the pinpoint-ability to do that with tighter NFL windows, and without superior talent on the other end of his passes. That being said, it's hard not to love the maturity. The fact that he could take a scathing review of his upside, and drive to exceed the narrative placed on him, again - is a great reason to root for him. So, this is one * attempted evaluation that I hope I am very wrong about.
Spectrum Comparison - I like to do my best effort with a ceiling: floor comparison, so to avoid looking like a fool when a player vastly disappoints or vastly exceeds the single-comp I place on them. When going through players I loved in the same vein as Garbriel - the "most-fitting" comparison I could think-up was another former Oregon QB I really, really WANTED to have higher than I was ever able to push him, which is Vernon Adams Jr. Like Gabriel, Adams Jr had sub-par size and only average arm talent - so in spite of being a reliable protector of the ball, and seemingly always making smart, mature decisions in his last year (both with the Ducks) - when the level jumped, he just didn't have the traits to ascend and be an NFL starting-caliber QB. On the other end of the spectrum, I think Gabriel's ceiling is that of a guy like Doug Flutie, where he can maturely, capably lead his offense, but only at a replacement-level.
T#8/#9. Riley Leonard/Will Howard, Notre Dame & Ohio State
The Player(s) - I've said it in isolated threads, but now I will say it here in what I would consider my own "official" opinion about these prospects - if these two were in different draft classes they be EASY comps to one another, for me. Don't get me wrong, there are a handful of meaningful differences that I think could create ascension of one above the other at the next level, but I think their "make-or-break" qualities to be an NFL-caliber QB are the same. Much in the way I spoke about Gabriel, I think these two QBs being the men battling out in the National Championship game shows exactly what they were as college QBs. They are good athletes with solid size and physical make-up, very good leaders, and both have the mental make-up/football IQ to galvanize an entire offense. All around, two really good FOOTBALL players. The worry for me would be how "special" any of their qualities are as passers - and if that scrum-style something that could possibly translate to the NFL consistently and with longevity. I am hesitant and would lean a lot more towards no, than yes on that front. I prefer Howard slightly, just because I think he has the slightly superior arm talent and more natural athleticism, but I think Leonard shows more consistent accuracy and took better care of the football.
Spectrum Comparison - Because I think the pitfalls with both guys are the same, and they both remind me of the same player as a (somewhat terrifying) "floor" - I want to put out the name Craig Krenzel as my cautionary tale comparison for both QBs. You can certainly see the fears with these two. I think they were both plugged into college systems ready-made for their style and the one-year pop they led both schools to. I think to live in that Josh Allen-esque scrum style of play, you need a special physical presence and you need to compliment the rugby-style with an arm that can stretch an NFL defense. I say NFL defense because, they did it in college - but threatening and stretching a college defense is a lot different than the ground to be covered at that next level. I just don't know if these two have the gifts to push beyond a middling ceiling. Interestingly, if you know the Duke history and what some of the buzz was with the guy last season, prior to transferring to Notre Dame, I think Riley Leonard's ceiling is Daniel Jones. With more natural lateral movement, and a higher ceiling with the room I think that exists to grow, I would say Will Howard's ceiling is Ryan Tannehill.
#7. Kyle McCord, Syracuse
The Player(s) - McCord is a tough eval, from the 2023 to 2024 tape adjustment alone. I do not know that the through-the-roof skill improvement happened as much as I think maybe McCord and that system at OSU were just square peg, round hole. I think what you see when you watch McCord's tape is what I would call a self-starter as a passer. He excels in the off-script and his most thumbs-up throws are outside of the 3-step, 5-step drop. He's clearly a gunslinger, but I think the question will be - how big is the barrel on the gun? The move from his style of play to Howard's made a world of difference for Ohio State and was clearly the right move - but what you see is what you are going to get from McCord, and the talent around him be damned. You have to commend a QB that will "give his guys chances", and I think that largely explains why he was able to have more success at Syracuse, despite inferior pass-catchers on paper. His new home allowed him to move away from the get guys in space Ohio State bread and butter into a read-it, rip-it offense that really seemed comfortable for him. He has the same ultimate question I have with the last 3 prospects - just how special are his traits?
Spectrum Comparison - I think this is close to just a true 1 for 1 comp to make - so, Gardner Minshew is the comparable player that McCord immediately gives me. I do, however, think that is likely his ceiling. When he gets rhythmic, he can stack completions and move the football in a hurry. It's just so hard to consistently manipulate and beat an NFL defense with your arm when you don't have the special arm strength to get it over their heads, or the accuracy/touch to drive on a throw and fit it into tight windows consistently. Just as easily as I could see McCord having one team truly believe he has the qualities to be an NFL starting QB, I can see him finishing a career with more INTs than TDs, like another guy I see, Kellen Clemens, as his floor when I compare that penchant for pushing the ball down the field, but with inconsistency in his ball-placement. He's a gunslinger, but he looks like he is maybe a Taurus, not a Smith & Wesson.
#6. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
The Player(s) - I am considerably lower on Dart than many, but I think from 7-3 is where we will likely get the most disparity in all of our QB evals, and IMO they all have pros and cons worth discussing. I personally see Dart as a lot closer to McCord than he is to, say, Shedeur or Ward, at the top of this class. But, I do think there is meaningfully more arm-talent, and that goes a very long way in the fact that his ceiling is significantly higher - but consistency reading is a major fear, for me. The Florida tape, IMO, maybe be the single worst single-game film that exists on any of these 10 prospects - and it is because they baited him in ways NFL defenses would challenge him every week. Dart actually looks his most impressive against the blitz. When he gets the pre-snap look or sees the pressure coming, he is good at delivering to the open space and getting it there accurately, on a rope. It's when there's heavy-zone or good coverage-disguises, etc that he tends to make mistakes or just not know where to go with the football - until he either takes a sack or bails on the read to move out and try to work off-script, which he did not do well enough at Ole Miss.
Spectrum Comparison - Dart is the exact reason I want something like a "spectrum comparison" to exist. While I look at someone McCord as someone that's ceiling and floor are not too far apart, I think it is within the range of outcomes that Dart cleans up his worst qualities, and his good becomes great. Therefore, I can certainly see him having the biggest gap between his floor and ceiling among all of these prospects. While I could see him being a practice squad/out of the league name in a matter of 2-3 years, I can also see him cleaning up mistakes in what he is seeing - to be an NFL starting QB. Will Grier is where I would start the conversation about Dart's floor, as a guy that had that same attacking approach when throwing into replacement windows or making a pre-snap read, and delivering the ball on a rope. He was a player that worked extremely well within the confines of his college system, but hit a wall when he faced defenses that were better at manipulating the read and baiting bad throws. On the flip side, there's a lot of Baker Mayfield in there. He may (similarly) hit some growing pains when it comes to the play-sequence reads - but keep growing and overcome to be a true NFL caliber starter.
#5. Quinn Ewers, Texas
The Player(s) - The way I see 7 versus 6 is similar to how I look at my 5 versus my 4 - in that I see a few somewhat similar qualities between the two that I love, and don't so much love, but I prefer one more than the other from a workable-qualities to get to the next-level perspective. I prefer Ewers to a guy like Dart, because I think his path to being "his best" requires quite a bit smaller hurdle to overcome. He has some of the same issues with some of the drop-8/heavy zone disguises that Dart has - but I am very impressed with Ewers' ability to know when to be safe with the ball, and knowing when it is time to take shots for a chunk play. He can "do both" as I would call it - take what they give him and be a "game manager", but he can also be aggressive when it's time to take some shots. He has had a lot of talent to work with over his last two seasons, and it definitely stands out when you are watching film. He's going to deal with a lot smaller windows at the next level. But, with the way he read defenses and protected the ball - I think he can actually ascend and hone those skills even more to be a guy that sticks around in the NFL for a good amount of time.
Spectrum Comparison - I think a good comparison for Quinn Ewers, is actually the Saints own - Derek Carr. I am going to put that name out as "ceiling", but I would certainly want to qualify it with - I think he is a close comp "ceiling-wise" to the 2016 version of Derek Carr, who I am not sure ever was able to get back to that level. For Carr, it was a year that seemed like everything came together and he flipped the switch between taking what was there and pushing to the ball to make plays when they needed them, seamlessly. I think there are clean-up, NFL-maturation type fixes Ewers can make to get up there.. What I can also see would be him settling into more of the Case Keenum (floor) type, in that he can represent some stability with his skillset, but maybe he never rises to a level that beats "replacement quality".
#4. Max Brosmer, Minnesota
The Player(s) - This will likely be my longest evaluation, just because with consensus being where it is on most of these guys - this is the ranking I feel the need to "show my work" on. Brosmer is as "my guy" as it gets, so I completely understand and expect no one else to see what I think of this guy. I would say with the exception of McCord, the guys named to this point have had a massive advantage when it comes to who is on the other end of their throws. At the level of competition Brosmer was playing at in the Big 10, with what I would consider a massively inferior group of skill guys (and OL) - his tape is very intriguing. Going back to what I said about Dart against Florida, the BEST single-game tape I think I have watched on a QB this cycle is Brosmer carving up Maryland. To that, I would also add - there are week to week improvements you can see with Brosmer, who was coming into the Big 10 from New Hampshire and did have a steep learning curve. He really hit his stride two weeks before that MD game against USC - and from October through the end of the season, he completed 70% of his passes for a 12:2 TD:INT ratio - against his stiffest competition. What stands out to me is the accuracy and anticipation throwing short-to-intermediate and throwing between the hashes up the seam. His touch throwing fade is beautiful. You can see the guy working through progressions quickly and rarely does he get off balance or force a throw that isn't there. Also, while investing in him being a yes in terms of on-field tape, I dove into some of his interviews. He is clearly a between-the-ears player, with a deep understanding of his job as the QB and 3-level reads. He is smaller than ideal, at a true 6'1 and I do think there is a case to be brought up about just how strong his arm is and if his ceiling can really bust through given a non-special cannon. I actually think throwing at the combine may have a bad effect on his stock, just because he did not get the crazy depth on some of those deep balls they are throwing (for some reason). But, he is not the shorts and t-shirts watch-me-throw-70 yards-down-the-field guy. I think what he could be is an elite level-manager, if I am right.
Spectrum Comparison - I truly believe this is the 2025 Brock Purdy. It is largely what I have been singing for him, and I will make that his ceiling - because I still believe that to be an extremely high quality ceiling, that he honestly may never obtain. Quarterbacks that show to have it upstairs to stay invested in football concepts and knowing exactly what they are seeing and learning to progress throughout reads and differentiate coverage disguises- while also having the short to intermediate ability to a) throw the ball on time in relation to the in-breaking, out-breaking routes, and b) throw the ball in tight windows - I just appreciate from a plug-and-play perspective. For me, the love for Brosmer is not necessarily because of a "high-ceiling", I just appreciate that he could be an easy answer to stabilizing if the arm is good enough. I would be willing to acknowledge a low floor, comparably I'll say Kurt Benkert (a guy I loved years ago) because IF the arm just is not NFL-good enough, I would really love him to be a talking head somewhere. You can tell the guy just gets it from what the QB needs to be.
#3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
The Player(s) - Full disclosure, I honestly can't believe I have ranked Milroe this high after not liking his tape, at all. This is clearly projection over what he has been to this point in his career. There just are some qualities within the player and with regard to a changing NFL that just make him a much higher-ceiling prospect than the majority of the class. The way he can explode into running lanes, while also throwing a very, very good deep-ball - if you can build an offense around the skillset, he can fill a role that works. He has to fundamentally change the way he plays the position if he is going to ascend to "what he could be". He is never going to be the nickel and dimer, capable of consistently winning with anticipatory throws. His decision making needs to improve drastically. It is very concerning that during his tenure, at ALABAMA, he refused too many times to chalk a play up as a lost play and move to the next - and instead turned bad into horrible, way too often. Again, the evaluation is based on what he "could" be, not what he is. I don't think he is draftable if he can't make major changes to the way he plays the position. The thing is, I don't know that I can look at the player, the skillset, and his mental make-up without thinking he can feasibly turn the corner.
Spectrum Comparison - Let me take back what I said about Dart having the most volatile floor: ceiling. That is all Milroe is, as a prospect. His ceiling is Jalen Hurts, and I would go one step further to say - his only path to success as an NFL QB is to BECOME what Jalen Hurts is (style of play). I think there have been game manager-types in the past that were fairly mobile - but Hurts is the first true "rushing game manager", as far as I am concerned. Milroe doesn't have a ton of the anticipatory talent or the accuracy that it would take to win that way as a QB. I don't believe he has to be that to succeed. There is a blueprint and there are plenty of offenses willing to mold a roster around that scrum-style of play. If he can't reign in some of the over-aggression, or the bad decisions and impatience that go along with forcing throws - there are plenty of incredibly talented athlete QBs that did not fit what the NFL was needing out of them. Milroe can be Hurts if he chisels away the bad - Bryce Perkins if he doesn't.
#2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
The Player(s) - Major degrees of separation between the first 8 and the next 2. I think there are 2 true franchise prospects that you're chasing if you need a new leader at the position, and are looking outside of development with eyes towards what they can be after years of polish. I am extremely bullish on these two guys, and my love for Shedeur is going to be diluted because I love the other guy a touch more. As much as I love Brosmer's accuracy, Shedeur is one of the most accurate short-to-intermediate passers I can remember watching tape on. His timing getting the ball out is impeccable and consistent. He is hitting receivers in-stride, out of their break, and with one of those "catchable balls" that doesn't get enough mention. His touch and "how much zip" goes onto each throw is so perfect. The only guy I have seen more consistently be perfect with their touch on film is Joe Burrow. The knocks are barely knocks, as far as I am concerned. His arm strength is not going to be top of the league, but I don't think he needs it. He may add some weight for durability, but it's not detrimental.
Spectrum Comparison - I think Shedeur's floor is the current version of Geno Smith. I think Geno grew as a passer throughout his career in the NFL and worked himself into what Shedeur is naturally as a thrower of those timing-routes. His frame is very similar, and I think he's going to want to win deep with timing and touch, as opposed to throwing over the back-end with a special arm - but there is nothing to suggest he doesn't have that full vision of the field - to see his outside leverage and get that ball out. I think he's actually kind of underrated when it comes to reading through progressions. It feels like in many ways, Shedeur has shown on tape that the only knock that "could" exist on him are attitude or you just place arbitrary size/physical gift parameters at the position. For that reason, my favorite comparison that I see for Shedeur is Kurt Warner. I think the two match in their decisiveness. I think they match in terms of mechanics and that quick release. I think he has shown (with Hunter) that he knows how to get the ball to his stars, but he also doesn't have a lot of tape showing forced balls. I think he's closer to Warner than any other comp.
#1. Cam Ward, Miami
The Player(s) - I can't say enough positive about Cam Ward as a prospect. He has solid size and carries a bit more muscle than Shedeur. He has shown top-of-the-league arm strength, but also has shown that he can take what is given. He gets the ball out quick, and it is rarely without a pre-snap diagnosis, which I appreciate. He is mobile and moves extremely well in the pocket, making some eye-opening plays scrambling, but make no mistake - he is trying to let it rip, not take off and run. He, like Shedeur, has a real knack to throttle the touch up and down based on the situation. He just seems like a guy that trusts what he sees and has all of the ability you could want from your QB to take what he sees and make the play. There were very few "bad" notes I had from watching his tape. Even some of the forces were somewhat necessary based on circumstances. He's just a head-smart player with the talent to match. I've watched QB tape since about 2015, and though I try my best to avoid speaking in hyperbole - I think Ward is firmly inside my Top 5 evaluations since then. I would have him behind Burrow and Lawrence, certainly, but he's as good as the next crop I've watched.
Spectrum Comparison - I'll start with floor, because I think he is a surefire good NFL QB unless he just strictly does not have the discipline to lead an NFL unit, or faces significant injury to derail him - like Carson Wentz. That is a difficult thing to predict, but it is also very hard to just throw out, "hey, this guy will for sure be a great QB".. because guys bust all the time. I didn't like Sam Darnold near as much as I like Cam Ward, because Darnold was never as good in college as Ward - but that's a similar arm-talent that fluked for a really long time. I just feel like you have to bank on guys not facing those kinds of issues when they have special qualities - and my closer comp for Ward is a guy I see as an incredibly similar skillset. It's a skillset that I think will really excel in the 2025 NFL, and that's why I am excited to see how Cam Ward looks at the next level. To me, everything about Cam Ward suggests he's a modern-era Donovan McNabb. The way McNabb used to flawlessly navigate a pocket to find a lane to throw, and then carve defenses in the early-mid 00s matches Ward's Miami tape to a tee. I think Ward just has the talent to continue to do that at the next level and ascend even higher.
