2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper releases Top 10 QB rankings ahead of CFP Quarterfinals

Six quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, tying the 1983 draft for the most QBs ever taken in a single round. While not as many QBs might hear their names called in the upcoming draft, there’s undoubtedly a hunger for QB talent in the NFL.

Luckily for organizations across the country, this year’s draft class will include another healthy portion of elite QBs. On Thursday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. revealed his Top 10 quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft class.

The NFL draft insider left no stone unturned, including quarterbacks from all of the Power Four conferences. Let’s dive into Kiper’s updated rankings.

1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Shedeur Sanders maintained his No. 1 spot in Kiper’s rankings this week. The Colorado QB completed 74.2% of his pass attempts this season, the highest completion percentage in the country, for 3,926 passing yards and 35 touchdowns.

“I’m always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right,” Kiper wrote. “He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he’s not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.”

2. Cam Ward, Miami

Cam Ward transferred to Miami this past offseason and made the most of his opportunity in the spotlight. Ward finished the 2024 regular season with 4,123 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, the most in the nation.

Moreover, he was extremely accurate, only throwing seven interceptions on 435 pass attempts this season. While Ward didn’t walk away with the Heisman Trophy, he won the ACC Player of the Year Award and set the Miami program single-season record for passing yards and touchdowns.

3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

Jalen Milroe is the most dangerous running threat on Kiper’s list. The Alabama QB notched 719 yards and 20 touchdowns in the ground game this season. Alas, his passing was often inconsistent, ultimately throwing 10 interceptions compared to 15 touchdowns.

Milroe’s inconsistencies spelled disaster for the Crimson Tide, who ultimately failed to make the College Football Playoff after falling 24-3 to Oklahoma in Week 13. In the loss, Milroe only completed 11-of-his-25 pass attempts and threw three interceptions.

4. Carson Beck, Georgia

Carson Beck is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing elbow surgery to repair a UCL injury he suffered in Georgia’s win over Texas in the SEC Championship. Nonetheless, Kiper is confident that a team will take a chance on Beck in the draft.

In fairness, Beck has given NFL scouts no shortage of film to review. Beck finished this season with 3,485 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with 12 picks. Beck looked particularly keyed-in down the stretch, recording 11 passing touchdowns across UGA’s final three games of the regular season.

5. Quinn Ewers, Texas

It’s been a tumultuous season for Quinn Ewers but his talent is undeniable. The junior QB missed almost a month for the Longhorns after suffering an abdominal strain in UT’s Week 3 win over UTSA. When he came back, he still wasn’t in the clear, with some fans calling for Arch Manning to remain the team’s QB1.

Alas, Ewers shut out the noise, currently boasting 2,867 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions. While Ewers’ numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, he has a mental toughness that few other QBs in this year’s draft class can match.

6. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana

Indiana was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 campaign, reaching the CFP in its first season under head coach Curt Cignetti. While Cignetti deserves his flowers, the Hoosiers’ success wouldn’t have been possible without Rourke.

Rourke exploded for 3,042 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, in contrast to just five interceptions this season. In a veteran QB draft class, Rourke was one of the most experienced. He has six collegiate seasons under his belt, including four as a starter.

7. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

Speaking of experience, Jaxson Dart cemented his name in the Ole Miss history books this season, shattering Eli Manning’s longstanding record for the career passing yards in program history. Dart racked up 10,163 passing yards and 68 touchdowns over his three-year career at Ole Miss.

In the 2024 campaign, Dart recorded career-highs of 3,875 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. His 322.9 passing yards per game were the most in the SEC. With great size and above-average arm strength, Dart could be an enticing option for NFL teams on Day 2 of the draft.

8. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

While Travis Hunter ultimately walked away with the Heisman Trophy, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel was the highest-voted quarterback, finishing third in the voting. College football experts’ praise for Gabriel is no coincidence.

In his first season at Oregon, Gabriel led the Ducks to a perfect 12-0 regular season record, a Big Ten championship and the No. 1 overall seed in the CFP. With over 18,423 passing yards and 70 touchdowns on his collegiate résumé, Gabriel knows how to pick apart a defense better than perhaps any other quarterback in this year’s draft class.

9. Kyle McCord, Syracuse

Kyle McCord turned heads this past offseason when he decided to leave his starting role at Ohio State to transfer to Syracuse. However, he quickly silenced any doubters, collecting a nation-high 4,326 passing yards, to go with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

While McCord’s build isn’t ideal, he’s more than capable of slinging the football and may prove to be a serious option for a team looking to take a risk. After all, he wouldn’t be the first later-round QB to succeed when given the chance.

10. Tyler Shough, Louisville

Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough rounded out Kiper’s Top 10 quarterbacks this week but he shouldn’t be overlooked. Shough tallied 3,195 passing yards and 23 touchdowns this season while only tossing six interceptions.

Standing at 6-foot-5, there’s no area of the field Shough can’t see from the pocket. Moreover, he’s mobile too, able to make the defense pay if they give him enough open space to take off.