Evaluating their potential: A scrutiny of the main advantages and disadvantages of leading NFL rookie quarterbacks
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Draftin' Quarterbacks: Who Shined and Who Needs More Time to Cook?
Excitement ran high during the 2025 NFL Draft, as 14 quarterbacks were chosen over three intense days - tying for the most selected since 2016. With the impact of last year's class still fresh in our minds, these new recruits are eyeing the cracked-open window of opportunity ahead.
To shed some light on these promising prospects, our team spoke with quarterback gurus Rick Neuheisel and Greg Cosell, who dedicate endless hours studying the position and dissecting top talents.
Neuheisel, a former UCLA quarterback, moved on to serve as an NFL offensive coordinator and head coach at Colorado, Washington, and his alma mater. Cosell, a senior producer for NFL Films and analyst for ESPN's "NFL Matchup," spends a significant chunk of his time evaluating college football players and breaking down game footage. As a relative of acclaimed broadcaster Howard Cosell, he's highly respected in NFL circles for his football expertise.
Each year, Cosell shares his in-depth analyses of top quarterback prospects with us, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses, much like Neuheisel did this time around.
So let's dive into the top 5 quarterbacks selected before the 25th pick—you know, where Shedeur Sanders landed with the Cleveland Browns.
Cam Ward: One overall, Round 1 to the Titans
Ward bounced around three schools in his college football journey, starting at Incarnate Word in Texas before moving to Washington State and, eventually, Miami. Neuheisel sees similar cool-under-pressure qualities in Ward that Patrick Mahomes possesses. That's some high praise indeed!
"The guy's got no panic reflex," Neuheisel said of Ward. "Which is exactly what messed up Will Levis last season and why Levis can't be the man for the Titans. He panics when things go awry, but Ward’s the opposite – he makes Mahomesian plays!"
While he might not be a copy of Mahomes, Neuheisel still thinks Ward could be a great addition to the Titans. But, he notes, Ward won't have the same arm talent as Mahomes.
A Taste of Cosell's Take
Strengths: Could deliver with pace and touch when necessary. Showed precise ball placement. Demonstrated a poised feel to work through progressions.
Weaknesses: Had a tendency to drift on drop-backs without properly setting and planting his feet. Too often loose in the pocket, bouncing and drifting without establishing a firm base.
Jaxson Dart: 25th overall, Round 1 to the Giants
Did the Giants make a smart move by trading up to grab Dart in the first round, just like the Buffalo Bills did with Josh Allen? Neuheisel definitely thinks so.
"Dart has some Burrow-esque qualities in terms of yards per attempt," he said. "Giants coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen were with the Bills for Allen's rookie season, so bringing him along slowly will likely be their plan."
Seven Ole Miss players were drafted this year, a school record, and Neuheisel really appreciates the way Dart recruited most of them to transfer there.
"He's got a knack for consensus building," Neuheisel explained. "That's a quality we like to see in a quarterback."
Tyler Shough: 40th overall, Round 2 to the Saints
Shough entered the NFL with a battered resume, having played for three different schools—Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville—across seven years of college eligibility. Neuheisel thinks pairing Shough with new Saints coach Kellen Moore is a match made in heaven.
“With a background like that, he's developed resilience,” Neuheisel said. “And with Kellen Moore on board, their partnership makes total sense.”
More from Cosell
Strengths: Shows a natural sense of avoiding and escaping pocket pressure. Efficient versus blitz. Can quickly identify and get rid of the ball to the right receiver.
Weaknesses: Has limited experience calling plays in a huddle and even less experience taking snaps under center. Possesses arm strength below average, not capable of driving the ball with higher-level velocity.
With the draft behind us, let's watch the rookie crop develop and see which of these talented quarterbacks can live up to expectations. Play ball, folks!
- The Los Angeles Rams, with their roots in California, surely kept a keen eye on the 2025 NFL Draft, as it saw 14 quarterbacks drafted over three days, making it the most since 2016.
- Given that UCLA is based in California and has a rich football history, it's possible that one or more of these prospective quarterbacks could end up playing college football there in the future.
- The NFL Draft provided American football fans in Los Angeles and across California with exciting new prospects to follow, including Cam Ward, who was drafted first overall by the Tennessee Titans.
- As the new football season approaches, sporting events like the NFL games in Los Angeles and college football games featuring teams like UCLA will offer fans a chance to witness the progress and growth of these newly drafted quarterbacks, such as Jaxson Dart who was picked by the New York Giants.
