Out of all the positions, quarterback has the most variance year to year in terms of rookie talent entering the NFL Draft and into Fantasy Football. As the most important position in the sport, it also has the most scarcity. Finding a franchise quarterback is essential and extremely difficult. 

At any given time, there are only fifteen teams or so who feel comfortable with their quarterback for years to come. 2025 is projected to be on the lower end of rookie classes but that doesn’t mean there isn’t reason for excitement. 

Today I’m looking at my five favorite QBs in this year’s class and how to value them for your upcoming dynasty rookie drafts and the 2025 season. 

 

 

 

Cam Ward, Miami Hurricanes

It’s been an interesting path for Cam Ward to get to the NFL. He started his collegiate career in the FCS at Incarnate Word putting up video game numbers of 4,648 passing yards and 47 touchdowns as a sophomore, catching the eye of FBS teams. 

Ward then transferred to Washington State for his next two seasons and played well but wasn’t wowing anyone before new home at Miami. Ward had a fantastic season with the Hurricanes throwing for over 4,000 yards and 39 touchdowns. Throughout this offseason Ward has separated himself from the rest of the field possessing the best combination of athleticism, processing, and arm talent of the bunch. 

Ward’s ability to make every throw on the field almost effortlessly at times is what truly gives him the edge. His issue is his consistency and occasionally working himself into trouble when it’s not necessary. All in the same play you’ll watch Ward bail on his pocket without there even being pressure and practically run at a defender to then shake said defender and throw a laser on the run to his receiver in stride. 

Ward is expected to be a top 3 pick in the NFL Draft and is likely to be the first pick. But he’s not seen to be as strong as many other classes’ QB1s due to those consistency issues. Still, a QB with Ward’s potential and draft capital is an exciting player especially since while he may not be a runner he will run in touchdowns. In dynasty rookie drafts Ward is an easy top 3 pick in superflex leagues due to positional demand. 

In 1QB leagues Ward has a case for being taken at the end of the first round. Looking ahead to redraft leagues Ward will be in the QB15-20 range and rightfully undrafted in most 1QB leagues though he should be on your radar as a streaming QB. In superflex leagues Ward can be drafted as a boom bust QB2 where your third QB becomes a priority.

 

 

 

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado Buffaloes

It’s not often that the son of one of the best NFL players of all time enters the draft at the most important position in the game but that’s what we have with Shedeur Sanders. Naturally, Sanders started at Jackson State playing for his father before following him to Colorado, playing for two years, and making himself known for more than just his last name. 

Sanders was efficient as a passer, especially in 2024 where he threw for over 4,000 yards and 37 touchdowns while finishing second among all quarterbacks in adjusted completion percentage. Sanders biggest strengths are his processing and accuracy, routinely diagnosing where the ball should go quickly and accurately doing so. 

His accuracy is especially noticeable on short and intermediate throws. Sanders issues come from having middling arm strength and athleticism. There are some throws that he’ll always have trouble completing because he can’t drive the ball like others can. Sanders will also add very little on the ground in the pros and can get himself in trouble in the pocket sometimes when he tries to evade the rush even though he’s not really able to. 

Sander’s draft projection is a little all over the place right now. Experts have mocked him anywhere from the second overall pick to falling out of the first round. The first round still seems like the most likely scenario but where is up in the air.

Sanders projects to be a Teddy Bridgewater type quarterback in the NFL, extremely proficient at helping an offense dink and dunk down the field but not offering a high ceiling. That type of quarterback doesn’t warrant a high pick even in a QB starved draft. Still, with Cam Ward likely going first overall and two quarterback needy teams after that there still a chance Sanders has good draft capital. 

In superflex dynasty leagues Sanders will be worth a mid to late second round rookie pick depending on the draft capital while in 1QB leagues he could possibly fall late into the third round due to ceiling concerns. In redraft Sanders is unlikely to be on your radar except for superflex leagues where he'll be draftable as a QB3.

 

 

 

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss Rebels

After playing one season at USC, Jaxson Dart transferred to Ole Miss where he became an exciting quarterback prospect. After a decent sophomore season Dart really stepped up his game for his final two years and few quarterbacks have played as well as he did during that time. 

Dart was top 10 in PFF passing grade each of the last two years including being first in 2024 and excelled at attacking down the field. With an average depth of target of 10.5 in 2023 and 11.9 in 2024, Dart still had an adjusted completion percentage of at least 74% each season. 

Dart isn’t just a passing threat though. Among the top three quarterbacks in the class Dart is the most accomplished runner having at least 568 rushing yards each season at Ole Miss. Dart has all the physical tools you could want. He’s got good size, good athleticism, and a plus arm. Dart can make all the throws although not with the same effortlessness of Cam Ward. But, he will add more on the ground.

Unfortunately, Dart played in what’s known as a bit of a gimmicky offense while at Ole Miss where most plays are only one to two reads. It's hard to know what Dart’s processing level is because he rarely had to do much of it in college.

Entering the draft cycle Dart was seen as a second round NFL Draft pick but he quickly rose to first round conversation. Dart may not have the processing ability of Sheduer Sanders right now but he quite easily has more potential due to his superior athletic abilities leading to questions as to who is the better prospect. Consensus still has Sanders ahead, but Dart is making it difficult. 

Dart’s final draft capital will have a large influence on his value. First round quarterbacks are basically guaranteed to play in year one and are normally given longer leashes. If Dart gets first round draft capital he’ll be right with Sanders in terms of value for both dynasty and redraft. The difference is that because of running ability he could be a more viable fantasy starter right away. 

If Dart is drafted in the second round his projection is a little more situation dependent. Landing on a quarterback needy team where his chances of starting right away are higher would keep the Dart vs Sanders conversation going. If he goes to a team where he’s likely to sit for a year, he’ll be a tier down from Sanders in dynasty and undraftable in redraft. 

 

 

 

Jalen Milroe, Alabama Crimson Tide

Each draft cycle has at least one quarterback that's highly athletic and an incredible runner with questionable passing ability. This year’s example is Jalen Milroe. Unlike the three quarterbacks above, Milroe played all four years of his collegiate career at the same college, Alabama. 

Waiting for his turn, Milroe took over as starter in 2023 and hit the ground running (literally). Milroe ran for at least 800 yards each of his two seasons as starting quarterback with rushing touchdowns of 12 in 2023 and 20 in 2024. As a passer Milroe’s numbers are nothing to write home about but respectable knowing his limitations. Unfortunately though Milroe regressed as a passer in 2024 with his 2023 season being his best season. 

But Milroe does have serious arm talent. The ball explodes off Milroe's hand, launching it with ease giving him the theoretical ability to make every throw possible on the field. If he can develop as a passer the ceiling is quite high. That will always be the case though with quarterbacks like Milroe, volatile potential. 

Projecting Milroe’s draft capital is a little tough. He’s unlikely to be drafted in the first round and going on day two makes a lot of sense for a volatile prospect like Milroe so that seems to be the most likely outcome. No matter where he goes the projection for Milroe is fairly simple. 

If he gets a chance to start he will be a relevant fantasy starter due to his rushing ability even if he struggles as a passer. It’s just a matter of if he gets that chance. Milroe will likely be drafted to sit and learn so that chance probably doesn’t come in year one. This makes him undraftable in redraft even in superflex leagues. 

He will be a name to keep in the back of your mind though as if he gets a chance to start due to injury he will be worth playing. In dynasty Milroe will be an upside rookie draft dart throw in the third round of superflex leagues and the fourth round of 1QB leagues. Just understand that even though the fantasy potential is high the floor is literally zero.

 

 

 

Tyler Shough, Louisville Cardinals

Few quarterbacks have the path to the NFL Draft that Tyler Shough has had. Seven years, three colleges, and lots of injuries. He started at Oregon, staying with the team for three years before transferring to Texas Tech for another three years. Shough then finished up his collegiate career with one year at Louisville where he finally played a full season. 

Prior to the 2024 season, Shough hadn’t played more than seven games in a year due to all the injuries. While healthy, Shough was able to put together a solid but unremarkable year with Louisville. What put Shough on the NFL’s radar is his prototypical size and arm strength paired with some running ability due to his solid athleticism. 

Shough stands tall in the pocket with is 6’5” 225 pound frame and can deliver the ball across the field albeit with some inconsistent mechanics. Perhaps the biggest hurdle for Shough entering the NFL is that he will turn 26 years old during the 2025 season. Players entering the NFL with advanced age like Shough have a terrible hit rate.

Shough is expected to be drafted on day two of the NFL Draft, it's just a matter of which round. NFL teams are presumably looking at Shough’s ideal physical traits and believe they could mold him into a solid starter. And with quarterbacks playing deep into their 30s, Shough could still be a longtime starter despite his advanced age. I’d rather not bet against history in this instance though. 

It’s too hard to have faith in a prospect of Shough’s age even with the injury excuses. In dynasty Shough will be draftable in both superflex and 1QB leagues but only has a dart throw in the third or fourth round of your rookie drafts. If someone in your leagues wants to draft him before then, let them. It’s highly unlikely Shough starts outside of injury in 2025 and likely won’t project well even in that instance, so he’ll be off my board in redraft.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football Rookie QBs: 2025 NFL Draft

The NFL Draft, dynasty rookie drafts, and seasonal drafts will be here before we know it. 

Making sure you’re prepared with the rookie class now will allow you to easily adjust to any news as it happens to gain an edge on your competitors!