2025 Fantasy Football Rookie QB Rankings (August Updates): Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Jalen Milroe, more

August 10, 2025

2025 fantasy football rookie quarterback rankings with August updates. RotoBaller's top rookie QBs and draft targets, including Cam Ward and more.

The 2025 NFL season is right around the corner, and dynasty/rookie drafts are in full swing. We're here to help with our 2025 fantasy football rookie quarterback rankings. Below, you will see where key first-year QBs like Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and Jalen Milroe stand among all rookie signal-callers.

These rookie rankings will be continually updated all offseason long as depth chart developments, injuries, and more take place, so be sure to check back regularly for updates through the start of the regular season. In addition to this article, you should also be sure to check out our other dynasty rookie rankings and analysis articles, including in-depth coverage of various NFL rookie profiles. Identifying sleepers and busts among first-year players is key for dynasty and redraft leagues, so we have you covered.

Four of our lead fantasy football analysts -- Phil Clark, Jackson Sparks, Andrew Lalama, and Matt Donnelly -- have put together these fantasy football rookie rankings. In addition to these rookie rankings, in our 2025 fantasy football rankings dashboard, you will also find our team's Dynasty League rankings. Bookmark that page, and use it to prepare for all of your 2025 fantasy football dynasty league drafts.

NFL Rookie Quarterback Rankings for Fantasy Football (August Updates)

Check out our PPR fantasy football rankings and standard (non-PPR) fantasy football rankings as well:

Recent Fantasy Football Rookie Quarterback News

Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that rookie first-round quarterback Cam Ward and the starters will play in every preseason game. In the team's preseason opener this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ward and the starters will get a series or two.

Even before it was announced that Will Levis (shoulder) would miss all of the 2025 season, Ward, the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft, was fully expected to be the starter entering Week 1. The 23-year-old has had his ups and downs at training camp this summer, but Callahan also said that Ward has shown growth heading into his first NFL season.

Ward doesn't have many options to throw to outside of receiver Calvin Ridley, and he wasn't praised for his rushing ability in the pre-draft process, so this will most likely be a learning year for the youngster from Miami. Treat him as a low-end QB2 in fantasy.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

Gilbert Manzano of Sports Illustrated writes that New Orleans Saints rookie second-round quarterback Tyler Shough showed improvement at practice on Thursday while working with the first-team offense. Head coach Kellen Moore said he hasn't decided how he'll divvy up the QB snaps in the preseason opener on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, but it's a good sign that Shough was the first to see first-team reps on Thursday.

The 25-year-old showed confidence and made quick decisions with the football while also using his legs a few times. According to receiver Rashid Shaheed, Shough is thinking less and allowing his pass-catchers to make plays. Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener are still competing for the QB job, and the Saints don't seem to be in a rush to name a Week 1 starter. Fantasy managers should be avoiding the situation entirely in 2025.

Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders completed 14 of his 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns while rushing four times for 19 yards in a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in the preseason opener on Friday.

Sanders got the start for Cleveland and found wide receiver Kaden Davis for a pair of scores in the second quarter. The rookie signal-caller played into the third quarter, leading a third touchdown drive that was capped off by a four-yard rushing score by Gage Larvadain before calling it a night. Sanders is looking to beat out Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and Dillon Gabriel for the chance to be Cleveland's starting quarterback in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

While there's still plenty of time left in the preseason, he made a good first impression on Friday night.

Jalen Milroe, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe got his first taste of NFL action on Thursday night as the Seahawks opened their preseason against the Raiders. Milroe came on in the second half after Drew Lock got the start. The rookie third-round pick from Alabama completed six of his 10 pass attempts for 61 yards and added 38 rushing yards on three carries.

He led a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that culminated in a rushing touchdown by Jacardia Wright. That score put the Seahawks up 10 points, but the Raiders came back, and the game ended as a 23-23 tie at the end of regulation. While he was a little inconsistent, the rookie had an impressive 27-yard run, which was the longest of the game for any player.

At this point, it looks like Milroe is firmly behind Lock and starter Sam Darnold on the depth chart, but he has enough dynamic upside to be worth monitoring his development to see when he'll have a chance to make an impact.

Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been "wildly down and wildly inaccurate in recent days," according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic. Jackson notes that Gabriel still gets reps ahead of fellow rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders but "has done nothing to make anyone observing believe he's ready to be trusted as a No. 2 quarterback."

A third-round pick out of Oregon, Gabriel appears to be significantly behind veteran Joe Flacco, who is the reported favorite to win the starting quarterback job in Cleveland out of camp. It seems like both Gabriel and Sanders are likely also behind Kenny Pickett (hamstring), who is recovering from a hamstring injury but is the favorite to win the backup job.

Based on this report, Gabriel should not be expected to push for playing time early in his rookie season.

Will Howard, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard suffered a broken finger in practice earlier in the week and will not play in his team's first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday. Head coach Mike Tomlin called the rookie quarterback "week-to-week" when speaking to reporters on Wednesday.

Howard has been battling with veteran Mason Rudolph to be the backup to Aaron Rodgers to open the season, but the missed time thanks to the injury will make it tough for him to overtake Rudolph.

LIKE ROTOBALLER?

CLICK HERE, ENTER ROTOBALLER.COM, THEN CHECK THE BOX

More Rookies Fantasy Football Analysis