With the 2025 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s time to give one last look to the 2025 rookie QB rankings. A lot has changed since the last iteration of my rankings. The NFL Combine gave us some standardized metrics to compare players. The Draft gave us the landing spots, as well as the draft capital for each prospect.
This article will focus on the quarterback position and the changes from version 3.0 until now. Notably, the surprise risers (Tyler Shough), fallers (Shedeur Sanders), and where they all shake out. Let’s get to it.
Rookie Rankings | QB | RB | WR | TE | 2025
TIER 1 | Rookie QB Rankings
QB1 | Cam Ward | Tennessee Titans | 6’2” | 223 lbs
Previously Ranked 2
The top of the 2025 QB rankings solidified with the selection of Cam Ward by the Tennessee Titans. As the only QB to go in the top-half of Round 1 (and as my previous QB2), Ward is the main signal caller to target in this year’s class. He has the arm to make all the NFL throws, and the Titans are committed to giving him weapons to attack defenses. Cam Ward should be the top QB taken in every single draft.
TIER 2 | Rookie QB Rankings
QB2 | Jaxson Dart | New York Giants | 6’2” | 226 lbs
Previously Ranked 3
As the only other QB to be selected on Day 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft, Jaxson Dart slots perfectly into my QB2 position. With a proven top-tier WR1 talent in Malik Nabers, Dart has a better supporting cast than Ward, which should help him once he hits the field. However, with Russell Wilson on the roster, Dart is likely going to sit and develop for a while.
TIER 3 | Rookie QB Rankings
QB3 | Jalen Milroe | Seattle Seahawks | 6’1” | 220 lbs
Previously Ranked 4
This is the last tier of QBs that I would take in my 2025 rookie drafts. The top player here is Jalen Milroe. With the Seahawks making a sizable financial commitment to Sam Darnold, I’m not holding my breath on Milroe seeing the field any time soon. He still has plenty of unanswered questions, but the rushing upside and athleticism are worthy of consideration in rookie drafts.
QB4 | Tyler Shough | New Orleans Saints | 6’5” | 223 lbs
Previously Ranked 7
The biggest Day 2 surprise of the 2025 NFL Draft was hearing Tyler Shough‘s name called ahead of other QBs on the board. As I noted in my previous ranking, talent has never been a question for Shough. The Saints were willing to look past his age and pull the trigger on the former Oregon Duck, Texas Tech Red Raider, and Louisville Cardinal.
QB5 | Shedeur Sanders | Cleveland Browns | 6’2” | 215 lbs
Previously Ranked 1
The unquestionable top storyline from the 2025 NFL Draft was the slide of Shedeur Sanders all the way to the 5th Round of the draft. I am still a believer in his talent, but have to adjust my rankings after that kind of a fall. Of the QBs in this tier, I believe that Sanders has the best chance to be a viable NFL starter down the road. In rookie drafts, you’ll likely be able to get him in the later rounds.
TIER 4 | Rookie QB Rankings
QB6 | Dillon Gabriel | Cleveland Browns | 5’11” | 202 lbs
Previously Ranked 11
Dillon Gabriel heard his name called significantly before the aforementioned Shedeur Sanders. However, I struggle to see Gabriel developing into a fantasy asset. If Sanders has the best chance to develop into a starter, Dillon Gabriel profiles more as a backup that can fill in on occasion. For where he’ll be drafted in rookie drafts, I won’t end up with Gabriel on my dynasty teams.
QB7 | Will Howard | Pittsburgh Steelers | 6’4” | 233 lbs
Previously Ranked 8
The only reason I have a draftable grade on Will Howard is that he could end up starting some games this season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Aaron Rodgers decides not to play football (which could happen at any point), Howard will likely get a chance to start. That will always hold value in SuperFlex leagues, so I’d be willing to take him late in rookie drafts.
TIER 5 | Rookie QB Rankings
QB8 | Quinn Ewers | Miami Dolphins | 6’2” | 210 lbs
Previously Ranked 5.
QB9 | Kyle McCord | Philadelphia Eagles | 6’3” | 220 lbs
Previously Ranked 6
QB10 | Riley Leonard | Indianapolis Colts | 6’3” | 210 lbs
Previously Ranked 9
QB11 | Kurtis Rourke | San Francisco 49ers | 6’5” | 223 lbs
Previously Ranked 10
