2025 NFL Draft: ESPN predicts which teams will select the Top 12 QBs in draft and when

In the final few weeks leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, football pundits come out of the woodwork with their projected mock drafts for how things could play out during draft weekend. That includes at ESPN, where longtime draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. and veteran analyst Field Yates are already well into their third and fourth mock drafts.

But what about a quarterback-only mock? Well, ESPN’s Ben Solak is here to provide just that, recently unveiling his projection for the best potential fits for 12 of the top QBs in the 2025 NFL Draft, including a couple of interesting undrafted free agent landing spots for three well-known quarterback.

For each of his projections, Solak considered where in the draft each QB is currently expected to be taken, each teams’ urgency with how soon it needs its new QB to play, and how each QB fits in a particular teams’ scheme/system. It’s an interesting evaluation that even Solak ackowledges isn’t likely to playout exactly as he predicts.

Check out ESPN’s perfect fits for the Top 12 QBs in the 2025 NFL Draft:

Cam Ward, Miami

Tennessee Titans: Round 1, No. 1 overall
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 219 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB1

This is one of the worst-kept secrets at this point as most every draft prognosticator expects the Titans to hold onto the No. 1 overall pick and take Heisman Trophy finalist out of Miami. Ward proved his worth as the top overall pick after spearheading the Hurricanes’ NCAA-leading offense in 2024, throwing for a FBS-best 39 passing touchdowns and 4,313 yards on 67.2-percent passing last season.

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

New York Giants: Round 1, No. 3 overall
Height: 6-1.5 | Weight: 212 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB2

Solak points out that the Giants have only met with two draftable QBs — Sanders and Ward — and with Ward already off the board, this pick makes too much sense for all parties involved. Sanders has the makeup to become a sensational NFL quarterback after leading the entire FBS with a 74-percent completion rate last season, along with his 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024.

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

Cleveland Browns: Round 2, No. 33 overall
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 223 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB3

While some draft pundits like Kiper Jr. are already slotting Dart into the Top 10 overall picks, Solak is a lot more reasonable with his projection and slots Ole Miss’ all-time leading passer to the Browns with the first pick of the second round. And given Cleveland’s current QB situation with Deshaun Watson out for the entire 2025 season, Dart becomes a must-have for the Browns atop Day 2 of the draft.

Tyler Shough, Louisville

Seattle Seahawks: Round 2, No. 52 overall
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 219 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB4

Shough is another hot name that could work his way into the first round but is far more likely to be taken on Day 2, where the remodeled Seahawks nab the heir apparent to newly-signed QB Sam Darnold in the middle of Round 2. Solak views Shough as “a great fit” in Seattle’s Klint Kubiak offense given his play-action experience at Louisville, where he threw for a career-high 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2024.

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Pittsburgh Steelers: Round 3, No. 83 overall
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 217 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB5

Milroe surprised many by accepting the NFL’s invitation to attend the draft in-person, signaling some confidence he could be a first-round pick. Solak isn’t sold on that possibility and instead expects the Steelers will take the supremely-athletic Milroe with their third-round pick. Whether or not Aaron Rodgers signs with Pittsburgh, Milroe’s potential in Black and Yellow will have fans envisioning Kordell Stewart 2.0.

Kyle McCord, Syracuse

New Orleans Saints: Round 4, No. 131 overall
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 218 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB8

Although some believe the Saints could be targeting a QB with their No. 9 overall pick, Solak has new New Orleans coach Kellen Moore focusing on other needs and waiting until Round 4 to land Derek Carr’s backup. McCord has already worked out for the Saints and has an aggressive, gunslinger mentality that will remind some of Drew Brees after posting a FBS-leading 4,779 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2024.

Will Howard, Ohio State

Minnesota Vikings: Round 6, No. 187 overall
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 236 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB6

After losing Darnold to Seattle in free agency, Vikings coaches appear to be all-in on former Michigan star J.J. McCarthy as their QB1 next season. And while Minnesota would be wise to draft a quarterback before Round 6, landing the reigning national champion QB would be an excellent Day 3 consolation prize, especially given Howard’s 73.0-percent completion rate, 4,010 passing yards and 35 touchdowns in 2024.

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

Los Angeles Rams: Round 6, No. 190 overall
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 216 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB12

With the 37-year-old Matt Stafford nearing the end of his NFL career, the Rams will undoubtedly be looking to land his eventual successor at some point in this draft. And while a much earlier pick is far more likely, Solak has LA sticking to their board and taking the dual-threat Notre Dame QB in Round 6. Leonard is a true playmaker, especially with his legs, and could learn a lot behind Stafford for a few years.

Quinn Ewers, Texas

Dallas Cowboys: Round 6, No. 211 overall
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 214 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB7

The sixth-round run on quarterbacks continues as the Cowboys take a swing on local Texas product Quinn Ewers in order to compete with newly-acquired Joe Milton to become Dak Prescott’s backup moving forward. In the Round 6, Ewers is a low-risk flier that could pay dividends, especially if the former five-star prospect continues to develop in his homestate.

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Washington Commanders: UDFA
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 205 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB9

Although Gabriel leaves college as one of the most productive QBs in NCAA history with more than 18,000 career passing yards and 72 touchdowns, Solak believes the well-traveled 25-year-old has a quick release that could continue to prosper in college-inspired offensive systems like that under Washington OC Kliff Kingsbury.

Kurtis Rourke, Indiana

Detroit Lions: UDFA
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220 | Scouts Inc. ranking: QB10

One of the most steady arms in college football last season, Rourke has the makings of a reliable career backup that can get it done when called upon after leading the Big Ten with a 176.01 passer rating in 2024. A true pocket passer without much athleticism, Rourke would be a fit in a West Coast-based offense like that in Detroit, according to Solak.

Hunter Dekkers, Iowa Western

Miami Dolphins: UDFA
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 215 | Scouts Inc. ranking: unranked

Dekkers got caught up in the Iowa State gambling scandal and was relegated to the junior college ranks to finish his career. Despite that history, Dekkers is a left-handed gunslinger in a similar vein to Tua Tagovailoa and Solak believes he could certainly fit well into the Dolphins’ QB-friendly offense under Mike McDaniels.