The quarterback position is always important, and 15 players at the position have been selected in the first round over the last four years. Will we see the average of 3.75 first-round quarterbacks being selected a year continue in the 2025 NFL Draft, or will it be more than that?
The QB situation fluctuates wildly once the games start, but it rarely goes above six or seven in the first round. However, we also saw in 2022 that all the main contenders fell away, and we ended up with Kenny Pickett as the only first-round quarterback.
Could that happen again in 2024? Let’s examine the current potential QB landing spots based on what we know now.
Where Could we see Quarterbacks Drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Note: All selections below are from our most recent 7-round NFL Mock Draft. The draft order for the mock was derived from my record and playoff predictions for the 2024 NFL regular season.
1.01) New York Giants (via DEN): Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Projected Trade: Giants receive No. 1 overall pick, 2026 seventh-round pick; Broncos receive No. 2 overall pick, 2026 second-round pick, 2026 third-round pick
In this 2025 NFL Mock Draft, the Giants make a slight trade up with the Broncos to block out other QB-needy teams and ensure they acquire Georgia’s Carson Beck.
On my board, Beck is the preliminary QB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft by a sizable margin. His mix of arm talent, processing ability, poise, and discretion can elevate an NFL team.
1.03) Las Vegas Raiders: Donovan Smith, QB, Houston
Donovan Smith is from Las Vegas, so it’s only fitting that he gets to play for his hometown team in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft. He has the talent to emerge in an open QB class.
Smith’s tape isn’t without its low moments, but the high moments are sometimes overlooked. He’s a stellar athlete and off-platform artist who flashes great anticipation and precision.
1.06) New York Jets (via TEN): Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Projected Trade: Jets receive No. 6 overall pick; Titans receive No. 14 overall pick, No. 78 overall pick, 2026 second-round pick, 2026 third-round pick
If Jalen Milroe nears his potential with Kalen DeBoer — “if” being the key word — this is how high he can go. And for the New York Jets, his raw talent is the accelerant.
Milroe needs to keep growing as a passer, but he’s arguably the most dynamic creator in the 2025 NFL Draft with a rocket arm to match. Here, he’d learn from Aaron Rodgers.
1.12) Pittsburgh Steelers: Conner Weigman, QB, Texas A&M
Is Russell Wilson or Justin Fields the long-term answer in Pittsburgh? It’s possible but unlikely. Taking a chance on a talent like Conner Weigman could have more benefits.
Weigman will need to accumulate a greater sample size, but he passes the eye test. He’s a spry athlete with easy arm talent and angle freedom, and he flashes incredible touch.
1.32) New Orleans Saints (via HOU): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Projected Trade: Saints receive No. 32 overall pick; Texans receive No. 36 overall pick, No. 101 overall pick, 2026 third-round pick
At the tail end of Round 1 in this 2025 NFL Mock Draft, the Saints make an aggressive move and trade back into the first round for Derek Carr’s successor, Shedeur Sanders.
Though Sanders is a bit undersized and not an elite creator, he’s garnered some comparisons to Geno Smith with his live arm, accuracy, and touch.
2.49) Cleveland Browns: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
There’s no moving off Deshaun Watson yet, but if there are still cracks in 2024, adding a young QB with potential makes a lot of sense.
Drew Allar would benefit from sitting early, and he has the elite composite arm talent to deliver on that patience.
2.50) Seattle Seahawks: Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
In the meantime, Geno Smith is the man in Seattle. But if the value is right, it can’t hurt the Seahawks to plan ahead at QB.
In this 2025 NFL Mock Draft, getting Jaxson Dart — a natural throwing talent with mobility and zip — is a major win.
Rounds 4-7
4.118) Buffalo Bills
Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas
5.149) Jacksonville Jaguars
Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
6.186) Chicago Bears
Graham Mertz, QB, Florida
6.193) Los Angeles Rams
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
7.198) Kansas City Chiefs
Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
7.220) Cincinnati Bengals
Cameron Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
