‘He’s got a shot’: NFL coaches chime in on Florida QB Graham Mertz

The 2025 NFL Draft begins on Thursday and the Florida Gators have double-digit prospects in this year’s class. One of them is sixth-year senior quarterback Graham Mertz.

Some of the top mock draft projections have not included Mertz, but NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero ranked him as the No. 14 QB in the draft based on “dozens of conversations with NFL executives, scouts and coaches, all speaking on the condition of anonymity for competitive reasons and to provide a blunt assessment.”

Here what four NFL coaches had to say about Mertz, according to Pelissero.

AFC, NFL coaches on Graham Mertz

“He actually has a chance to get drafted, because he was a [high-profile] recruit, he’s done some good things on tape. It’s just never really happened for him. But I think he’s got a shot. He plays good ball. He throws it good. He might be one of those guys that was a tough deal, just constant bad luck along the way.” — AFC coordinator

“He’s been injured and got injured again this year. But when you watch the tape when he’s playing for Florida this past year, there’s just some natural ability there. Shoot, to stay in the game after he tore the ACL and go down (and lead) a scoring drive is impressive. He’s got some toughness and grit to him.” — NFC assistant coach

“I think he’s impressive. But you’ve got to go to the injury history there. The coaches and staff at Florida absolutely rave about him.” — NFC quarterbacks coach

“He’s worth taking a flier on. Limited traits. Not really athletic. But solid quarterback who played pretty well [before he] got injured this year. There’s a chance.” — AFC quarterbacks coach

Looking back on Mertz’s Florida career

Mertz started three years at Wisconsin and the past two seasons at Florida. He improved his draft stock in Gainesville, showing accuracy and avoiding interceptions. In 2023, Mertz ranked No. 3 nationally with a 72.9 completion percentage and threw just three picks, all of which were tipped passes. It was the fewest among SEC starting quarterbacks.

Mertz finished the 2023 season with career highs in completions (261), passing touchdowns (20) passing yards (2,903), passing yards per game (263.9) and efficiency (157.8). He set program records for consecutive passes without an interception (239), consecutive passes completed (19) and completion percentage for a season and career (73.7).

Mertz started 11 games in 2023 before his season-ending broken collarbone. He sustained a concussion in the 2024 opener, returned to start four more games and then suffered a torn ACL in Week 7. Five months after knee surgery, Mertz threw a 58-pass script at Florida’s Pro Day on March 27. He was invited to the NFL Combine but only did positional drills.

In 50 career games, Mertz made 48 starts and completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 9,099 yards and 64 touchdowns with 31 interceptions. He ran for another 13 scores.

Billy Napier on Mertz at Gators Pro Day

“Graham is one of my favorite players to coach in my entire 20 years of coaching, and just to see him come back in the building. The room lights up when the guy walks in. Did a lot for this place, been through some battles and another high-value player, in my opinion.

“Somebody is going to get a guy who brings a ton of experience, production leadership, does a lot for an organization and certainly very capable of potentially, one day being a starter in the National Football League, in my opinion. “It’s been a ton of fun to get the calls after the interviews.”