2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper makes big changes to Top 10 quarterback rankings after Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl

ESPN’s Mel Kiper made some significant changes to his quarterback rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft that could shake up some team’s thinking.

Based on last week, we definitely need to dive into where Kiper made the adjustments. Spoiler alert, the top QBs in this class didn’t change, but the pecking order got a shakeup. 

Let’s dive into Kiper’s changes in his quarterback rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft.

1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Sanders remained at the top of Kiper’s quarterback rankings. It’s not hard to see why. His stats at Colorado back up the claim.

It’s a matter of if he’ll be the No. 1 overall pick or at least the first QB taken over Cam Ward. But does he go to the Giants, Titans, Browns or heck, even Raiders?

2. Cam Ward, Miami

Ward is a tantalizing prospect coming out of Miami. He developed at the Division 1 level with Washington State and had his best season in South Florida this past year.

Some may prefer Ward over Sanders, but Kiper likes him as the No. 2 quarterback in this class. But, it seems like Sanders and Ward will be selected within the top 10 and then we have to play a guessing game.

3. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

Dart rose up draft boards following the end of the season and evaluations through the Senior Bowl. He’s a really good quarterback.

However, the Ole Miss star wasn’t getting top tier NFL buzz. Perhaps, until now. Maybe not first round buzz, but Dart is an enticing prospect to whoever selects him.

4. Will Howard, Ohio State (+2)

Here’s the biggest change to Kiper’s quarterback rankings this time around. Howard is now in the top four of this draft class.

Winning a national championship will certainly do that and it’s gotta be the Ryan Day effect right? Day’s coached first round talents in Justin Fields and CJ Stroud (we know about Kyle McCord but he’s a Syracuse man now), so Howard got the Day bump. How high does he go?

5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama (-1)

Milroe struggled at the Senior Bowl and Kiper dropped him a spot in the quarterback rankings. Milroe did some good things over his two years as Alabama’s starter.

However, some mechanics are questionable and there will be the inevitable “should he change positions” talk considering his athletic abilities. It remains to be seen where he’s valued in the draft.

6. Kyle McCord, Syracuse (-1)

We alluded to McCord before, who had his best season with the Orange. He only dropped down, likely, due to Howard’s rise in the quarterback rankings.

McCord was good at Ohio State but so much better in his lone year under Fran Brown. He just exploded in 2024 and nearly got Syracuse to an ACC Championship. He’ll be an interesting watch.

7. Quinn Ewers, Texas

Ewers was really good once he settled in as the starting quarterback for Texas. Heck, Ewers is actually a projected second round pick by ESPN’s Matt Miller.

But he’s No. 7 on Kiper’s QB rankings. He can really sling the football but perhaps the big game moments in the end, and some injuries, limit the excitement for the long-time ESPN draft analyst.

8. Tyler Shough, Louisville (+2)

Shough moved up two spots this week as he’s starting to get some love following the season and Senior Bowl. He was well traveled throughout his college career.

Following stints at Oregon and Texas Tech, Shough played all 12 games with the Cardinals this season and set career highs. So maybe there is something to this guy!

9. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon (-1)

Gabriel’s been productive wherever he goes: UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. It’s curious as to why he’s not higher on Kiper’s quarterback list.

He dropped one spot this week due to Shough’s rise. Gabriel finished third in this year’s Heisman voting and had career highs as a QB, leading the Big Ten in passing.

10. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana (-1)

Rourke spent just one season at Indiana but it was a good one! Playing under Curt Cignetti, he set career highs despite playing with a partially torn ACL.

It’s hard to deny a quarterback who led Indiana to its best season ever and the College Football Playoff. He’s still in the top 10 QBs for Kiper.