2025 NFL Draft: How Many Quarterbacks Will Go In First Round?

As we inch closer to draft season, everyone wants to know which teams will add a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. Although free agency could affect where some quarterbacks go in the draft, a handful of teams will be in the market for a franchise quarterback, including the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets.

All five teams could take a quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, several of these teams could decide to pass on the position in the first round. This is considered a weak quarterback class, and there aren't many quarterbacks who will find themselves high on the team's draft boards.

So, let's dive in and look at which quarterbacks will go in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. We will break this article down into three categories (locks, possible, longshots) and determine which quarterback prospects will be selected on Day 1.

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2024 NFL Draft Recap

The 2025 quarterback draft class won't quite compare to last year. The 2024 NFL Draft saw six quarterbacks go in the top 12, and several of those signal-callers showed some great things in their rookie season. Caleb Williams (No. 1), Jayden Daniels (No. 2), Drake Maye (No. 3), Michael Penix Jr. (No. 8), J.J. McCarthy (No. 10), and Bo Nix (No. 12) were all selected early in that draft.

With the 2nd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the @Commanders select @LSUfootball QB Jayden Daniels 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jZ8D0L41UJ

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) April 26, 2024

This draft also marked just the fourth time in the common draft era that a quarterback went first, second, and third overall. The Chicago Bears took Williams, the Washington Commanders took Daniels, and the New England Patriots took Maye. The last time that happened was when Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance went top-3 in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Unfortunately, we likely won't see that happen in this year's draft. Even though all three teams picking in the top three (Titans, Browns, and Giants) desperately need a quarterback, there just isn't enough quarterback talent in this class. So, don't expect a heavy run on quarterbacks early in the 2025 NFL Draft.

First-Round Locks

Cameron Ward, Miami (FL) 

Miami (FL) quarterback Cam Ward will no doubt be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He put up strong numbers in his final college campaign and has really emerged as the QB1 in this draft class. Ward threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven touchdowns across 13 games in 2024.

His 39 passing touchdowns led all quarterbacks in the ACC last year.

As a result, Ward is a lock to go early in the draft. There's also a good chance he's selected first overall, whether by the Titans or a team that moves up to grab him. Teams like the Giants, Raiders, and Jets could be aggressive and trade up for the top pick in April's draft.

Either way, though, the Miami product will hear his name called early.

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado 

There have been reports swirling around that Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders' draft stock has fallen in recent weeks. Senior NFL Insider Josina Anderson also said she heard from a quarterback coach that Sanders came off as "arrogant" in his team interview. However, he is still a lock to go in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

I am disappointed to hear that a quarterbacks coach from a team drafting in the top 7 referred to Shedeur Sanders as coming off “brash” and “arrogant” in his team interview and making his assessment known to a number of people, per source. I’m purposely not naming the team, as… pic.twitter.com/OjCTciEZIa

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 3, 2025

Sanders threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 13 games last season, and a quarterback-needy team picking in the top 10 will definitely take a chance on him. The Colorado product is widely regarded as the QB2 in this year's draft class.

Therefore, he could be selected by the Browns (second overall), Giants (third overall), Raiders (sixth overall), Jets (seventh overall), or Saints (ninth overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft.

First-Round Possibility

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

There is a possibility that Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart will creep into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He had a strong showing at the NFL Combine, and his stock continues to grow. After throwing for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and six interceptions in his final college season, don't be surprised if Dart is selected later in the first round.

Jaxson Dart’s Advanced Analytics:

➖11.9 Average Depth of Target
➖7.1% Big Time Throw Rate
➖10.7 Yards Per Attempt

They were ALL better than Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders

The most impressive part? Jaxson Dart accomplished this while having LESS time to throw (2.77) than them pic.twitter.com/ccWkMBPMGU

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) February 14, 2025

As of now, Dart finds himself going in the second round of most mock drafts. CBS Sports also has him currently ranked 48th on their big board. However, that could certainly change before April's draft. While he likely won't be drafted near the top of the first round, he can be a target for several teams, like the Steelers (21st overall) or the Rams (26th overall), later in the first round.

First-Round Longshots

Quinn Ewers, Texas 

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers will be selected at some point in the 2025 NFL Draft, but it won't be in the first round. He isn't quite a first-round talent and struggled with consistency in his final college season. Ewers threw for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions across 14 games.

So, expect the former Longhorn to be a late Day 2 pick or an early Day 3 pick.

Jalen Milroe, Alabama 

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is definitely one of the more athletic signal-callers in this draft. He rushed for 1,257 yards and 32 touchdowns over the past two years, and his speed can be a real weapon in the NFL. His struggles as a passer, though, will result in him not being drafted in the first round.

Milroe threw just 16 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in 2024.

Tyler Shough, Louisville

Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough has been one of the biggest risers since the beginning of the 2024 season. He appeared in only four games at Texas Tech in 2023 before transferring to Louisville and putting up solid numbers.

He threw for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions across 12 contests this past year. Still, Shough will not be a first-round pick in this year's draft.

Kyle McCord, Syracuse 

Although Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord had a bounce-back season in 2024, he won't be taken near the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. McCord threw for 4,779 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions with the Orange last year and led them to a 10-3 record.

That alone won't be enough for him to be selected in round one. He is likely a Day 3/undrafted pick.

Other quarterbacks: Will Howard, Dillon Gabriel, Kurtis Rourke

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