Check or Hold: Key Questions About Each QB Draft Prospect Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft

By Dorrington Myers

Heading into the 2024 season, there's no consensus on who the top quarterbacks in the 2025 draft will be. All of them have multiple questions that need to be answered before a team feels confident enough to spend valuable draft capital on them. The quarterbacks mentioned are listed in no particular order, with the purpose being to get a deeper understanding of each quarterback prospect and what they need to work on.

Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)

HT: 6-2 WT: 215

Projection: 1st round

Key Questions:

Will the spotlight become a distraction to a locker room?

Sanders has thrived under the spotlight, but the added pressure of being a first-round prospect can further affect team dynamics. Can he maintain focus and leadership amidst heightened attention?

Can he stay off the ground?

Leading the nation in sacks taken, Sanders needs to improve his pocket awareness and avoid unnecessary hits. This requires a balance between trusting his line and knowing when to escape.

Can his legs be a factor?

Sanders' mobility is an asset, but he must demonstrate his ability to use his legs strategically to extend plays and gain yards when necessary.

Carson Beck (Georgia)

HT: 6-4 WT: 220

Projection: 1st-3rd round

Key Questions:

Can Beck achieve elite status?

Beck has shown flashes of brilliance, but he needs to consistently perform at a high level to be considered among the elite quarterbacks.

Will slow starts be a precursor for his offensive production?

Beck has had issues with slow starts in games. It's crucial to determine if these are anomalies from Georgia's system or indicative of a deeper problem with his game preparation or mental approach.

Quinn Ewers (Texas)

HT: 6-2 WT: 206

Projection: 1st-3rd round

Key Questions:

Can Ewers be consistent?

Ewers has had a rollercoaster performance record. Consistency will be key to his success at the next level.

Can he protect the ball?

Turnovers have been a concern. Ewers must show he can make smart decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

Drew Allar (Penn State)

HT: 6-5 WT: 243

Projection: 1st-3rd round

Key Questions:

Will being a young starter drop his stock?

Allar's limited experience makes him a wildcard. Scouts need to see how he handles the increased competition and pressure.

Can he continue to protect the ball?

Allar has done well in avoiding turnovers thus far, a critical aspect of his game that must persist.

Riley Leonard (Notre Dame)

HT: 6-4 WT: 212

Projection: 1st-3rd round

Key Questions:

Can he stay healthy long enough to put something solid on tape?

Injuries have hampered Leonard’s ability to showcase his talent, missing the second half of the 2023 season with an ankle injury. Durability is a significant concern.

Can he improve his accuracy?

Leonard needs to demonstrate consistent accuracy to be a reliable NFL quarterback. 57.6% isn't going to cut it.

Cam Ward (Miami)

HT: 6-2 WT: 223

Projection: 1st-3rd round

Key Question:

Can Ward limit his turnovers and play under control?

Ward's tendency to turn the ball over can undermine his natural talent. Discipline and decision-making are critical for his success.

Jalen Milroe (Alabama)

HT: 6-2 WT: 212

Projection: 1st-3rd round

Key Question:

Can he put it together from the mental aspect?

Mastery of coverage knowledge, reading defenses, and effective communication are areas Milroe must develop to transition successfully to the NFL.

Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)

HT: 6-2 WT: 220

Projection: 3rd-7th round

Key Questions:

Known as a gunslinger, can he limit the high-risk plays?

Dart’s aggressive style can be a double-edged sword. Balancing risk and reward is essential.

Can he be consistently good at operating outside of the pocket?

His ability to make plays on the move needs to be more reliable for the next level.

Without an RPO design, can he be effective?

Dart must show proficiency in traditional offensive schemes to enhance his draft stock.

Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)

HT: 5-11 WT: 204

Projection: 6th-FA

Key Question:

Outstanding player, but does his frame harm or benefit him?

Despite his talent, Gabriel’s size is a concern for some scouts. Proving that he can perform at a high level regardless of his frame is crucial.

Max Johnson (North Carolina)

HT: 6-5 WT: 219

Projection: 6th-FA

Key Question:

Can Johnson put a full, complete season together?

Johnson’s injury history has hindered his development. A strong, healthy season could significantly improve his draft position.

D.J. Uiagalelei (Florida State)

HT: 6-4 WT: 250

Projection: 5th-7th round

Key Question:

Can he find that consistency?

Uiagalelei has shown potential but has struggled with consistency. Now at his third school, the right coaching staff could unlock his full capabilities.

Tyler Shough (Louisville)

HT: 6-5 WT: 221

Projection: 7th-FA

Key Question:

Can he stay in the game to display his skill set?

Shough has had issues staying healthy. Consistent game time is necessary for him to prove his worth to an NFL organization.

Jalon Daniels (Kansas)

HT: 6-0 WT: 215

Projection: 5th-7th round

Key Question:

Can he put a full season together?

Like many others, Daniels’ injury history raises doubts about his durability. Demonstrating he can stay healthy for an entire season is essential for his NFL prospects.