Dark Horse Teams To Select A Quarterback In The First Round Of The 2025 NFL Draft

April 17, 2025

Which teams could surprisingly select a quarterback in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft? Joey predicts four dark-horse teams that could take a quarterback in Round 1.

When the Atlanta Falcons were on the clock at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, everyone thought they would draft an offensive lineman or a defensive player. However, Atlanta shocked us all and took quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with that pick. Even though the Falcons just signed Kirk Cousins to a massive four-year deal, they still decided to select a quarterback early in the draft. 

With the 2025 NFL Draft just weeks away, now is the perfect time to see which teams could surprise us and select a quarterback in the first round of this year's draft. The first round will be held on Thursday, April 24, in Green Bay, with the ensuing rounds to follow on April 25 and April 26. 

So, which four dark-horse teams could select a quarterback in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft? Let's dive in and find out which four teams could surprisingly take a quarterback within the first 32 picks of April's draft. 

Las Vegas Raiders 

Since trading for quarterback Geno Smith this offseason, there hasn't been much talk surrounding the Raiders taking a quarterback at No. 6 overall. Although Smith is in the final year of his contract, all signs point to the team extending him at some point before the season begins. As a result, the quarterback position isn't a need for Las Vegas entering the 2025-26 season. 

Raiders GM John Spytek on Geno Smith trade: "We used a late third-round pick to hopefully have our starting quarterback here for years to come"https://t.co/KpEqJiKw2T pic.twitter.com/b4KjumuHzy

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 28, 2025

However, we shouldn't rule out the Raiders from taking a quarterback in the first round. Smith will turn 35 years old in October, and the team might want to have a young quarterback sit for a few years before eventually taking over. If Colorado prospect Shedeur Sanders winds up falling a bit in the draft, we could see Las Vegas take him. 

This would be a similar situation to the Falcons in last year's draft. The Raiders solved their quarterback problem in the offseason and don't necessarily need to take a quarterback early in the first round. Nonetheless, Las Vegas is a dark-horse team to select one at No. 6 overall. Taking Sanders or even Jaxson Dart would give it a potential franchise quarterback. 

Dallas Cowboys 

It's hard to envision the Dallas Cowboys taking a quarterback with their first-round pick. They are in win-now mode, and Dak Prescott is still under contract for at least the next three years. In addition, the team just traded for quarterback Joe Milton III. But Jerry Jones might entertain the idea of selecting Sanders if he falls to the Cowboys at No. 12 overall. 

Jones has known the Sanders family for a long time, and the owner/president has maintained a strong relationship with Deion Sanders over the years. Dallas could also be in the market for another quarterback, given that Cooper Rush left and Trey Lance is still a free agent. So, we shouldn't put it past the Cowboys to take the Colorado quarterback early in the first round.

Now, this is something we shouldn't count on because it likely won't happen. However, the Cowboys have to start thinking about a successor to Prescott. He will turn 32 years old in July, and having a young quarterback sit for a few years could pay off. Therefore, if Sanders is somehow available at No. 12 overall, Dallas could be a dark-horse team to select a quarterback in the first round.

Seattle Seahawks 

The Seattle Seahawks will look a little different on offense this upcoming season. They traded away both Smith and DK Metcalf and replaced them with Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp. Given Darnold's three-year, $100.5 million deal in free agency, many people might not think the Seahawks would take a quarterback in the first round.

However, there is a chance Seattle will surprise us and take Dart at No. 18 overall, assuming he is still available. Although Darnold signed a three-year contract with the Seahawks in free agency, they could get out of his contract after the first year. If the 27-year-old struggles during the 2025-26 season, the team could release him to save some money. 

ESPN sources: Former Vikings QB Sam Darnold reached agreement today on a three-year, $110.5 million contract including $55 million guaranteed with the Seattle Seahakws. Seattle has its successor to Geno Smith. pic.twitter.com/tit1QRfXm2

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2025

While taking a quarterback in the first round would be shocking, Seattle is a dark-horse team to select one. Darnold has struggled for most of his career, and last year's breakout season could have been a fluke. Even if the new Seahawks signal-caller continues his strong play into next season, a quarterback like Dart could be a nice fit here. He could sit for a few years before eventually taking over. 

Los Angeles Rams 

The Los Angeles Rams are going all-in for the 2025-26 season. They restructured Matthew Stafford's contract to keep him with the team and signed All-Pro wideout Davante Adams to a two-year deal in free agency. Nevertheless, the Rams have to be thinking about the future a little bit in the back of their minds. 

Stafford just turned 37 years old and likely only has a few more years left in him before retirement. That makes Los Angeles a dark-horse team to select a quarterback with the 26th overall pick. Taking Dart late in the first round could be a priority for a team that doesn't have an answer at quarterback once the veteran hangs it up. 

"He has a lot to learn."@minakimes would love for Jaxson Dart to go to the Rams and sit for a year to develop behind Matthew Stafford. pic.twitter.com/wdCGIPX5W4

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 28, 2025

Jimmy Garoppolo is 33 years old, and Stetson Bennett hasn't shown anything since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Therefore, Dart could be the long-term answer for this franchise. That makes the Rams a potential dark-horse team to select a quarterback in the first round of the upcoming draft. It will be interesting to see if the Ole Miss product makes it this far in the draft. 

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