The 2025 NFL Draft is fast approaching as the college football season comes to an end and the pre-draft process begins. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders has likely solidified himself as a first-round pick — even a top-five draft pick — but according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, he isn’t currently projected to be the first quarterback off the board.
Per Howe, that honor currently belongs to Miami Hurricanes journeyman passer Cam Ward. Both had impressive seasons; Ward finished the year second in the nation with 4,123 passing yards while leading college football with 36 passing touchdowns to only seven interceptions, while Sanders was third in passing yards (3,926) and just a step behind Ward in touchdowns (35) and interceptions (8). Both received Heisman-buzz — an award Sanders’ teammate, Travis Hunter, won — but Ward was a finalist, finishing fourth in voting, while Sanders finished eighth in voting.
In order to overcome Ward as QB1 of the class, Howe posits that “Sanders will need to nail the interview process.” Both players have committed to participating in their respective bowl games, and it doesn’t appear that either will gain or lose much ground through the Scouting Combine or their respective pro days, having already had their play thoroughly evaluated throughout the season. If Sanders can establish in the interview process that he can be a stand-alone leader without his father on the coaching staff, he may be able to edge out Ward.
Here are a few other draft rumors in the aftermath of college football’s regular season:
- After Ward and Sanders, there’s a big perceived dropoff in quarterback talent in this year’s draft class with other prospects like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, and Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart all being projected as Day 2 or 3 picks. While Georgia passer Carson Beck is also projected to fall past the first round, that wasn’t the case last year, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Breer claims that scouts gave him the impression that Beck had a chance to be among the six other quarterbacks who were drafted in the first round of last year’s draft. Instead, Beck stayed in Athens, in hopes of perhaps bettering his chances and draft slot. A year later, three separate three-interception performances and an otherwise disappointing redshirt senior season for Beck has plummeted his draft stock. The injury to his throwing arm in the SEC championship game has a chance to hurt that draft stock even more.
- The 2025 draft class is projected to be disappointing in its depth at left tackle with no elite options sticking out at this point in the process. LSU tackle Will Campbell has received a good amount of buzz as the class’s best prospect at the position, but according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, many believe Campbell is a bit overrated. Short arms and questions about his overall game have scouts doubting whether or not he can solidify the left tackle spot of an NFL team for the next five-plus years.
Not a single franchise qb in this draft.
Yep. No different than the ’22 draft. Only Pickett went in the first and lasted 2(?) years in Pitt.
Sanders is not a franchise Quarterback.
Agreed. But is still probably the best qb in the draft
The reason to be high on sanders. Is 2 fold. He’s already rich. Grew up rich. And he has a dynasty chip on his shoulders. Unlike anything we’ve seen since bosa watt. Highest praise. Hurts pedigree buy reco’
Sanders is a 3rd round talent made to look a lot better by having Hunter to throw passes to and having his dad as the head coach. He’ll be another Tony Richardson or Caleb Williams.
A weak draft class is unlikely to improve the on field product yet Goodell still thinks more international games is a great idea 🙂
Bad class for QBs but overall should be pretty solid
Cam Ward makes some of the worst turnovers I’ve EVER SEEN. There’s no way he’s QB1 in this draft class
I cannot believe the Raiders and Giants will allow Hunter to drop to the Patriots.
even if they need QBs
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