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Florio's scouting reports for NFL draft rookie quarterbacks Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, and more. 2025 fantasy football outlooks and top 6 quarterback player profiles.
There are two quarterback locks to go in the first round of this year's NFL Draft. If you want to learn more about Cameron Ward and Shedeur Sanders, I wrote an entire scouting report on the two of them! You can read that here.
But those two are not the only other QBs in the NFL Draft. There is another one making a push to be a first-round pick, and then there are plenty of secondary options. This class may not have the high-end depth like last year's did, but there are plenty of QBs in this class who should have long NFL careers.
With backup QBs getting more playing time than ever, it is important to know about these players. Plus, some bring upside to develop into starters, or fun fantasy options, down the road. Those are the QBs you want to use a late rookie draft pick on to stash.
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The Other QB Pushing To Be A First-Round Pick
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart does a lot of things well on the football field. He has a strong arm and can put the ball on a rope. He is able to throw on the move or with a defender in his face.
He is able to plant and fire the ball well downfield. I had some concerns watching his 2023 tape about him throwing to tight windows, but that improved in 2024. He works through his progressions well and does a good job of finding open receivers.
Dart is also a good athlete who can use his legs to create more time and even pick up yards. He tends to use his legs to buy him time as a thrower, but he is not afraid to tuck and run when he has to.
I believe his legs are better for real-life purposes than for fantasy. Think someone like Patrick Mahomes in that regard, who can use his legs to pick up backbreaking first downs, but is not putting up rushing numbers like Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen. Dart did have a knack for running near the goal line, which would be huge for his fantasy outlook.
If you want to believe in Jaxson Dart as an NFL quarterback, watch his cut-ups of throws under pressure. He's incredibly poised and tough in the pocket. Would argue he's the best passer on intermediate routes, too.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 1, 2025
My biggest concern with Dart is that he struggled while under pressure. That can be an issue for many young QBs, so it is not the end of the world. But there were a number of times where he simply just did not feel the pressure on his blindside, and it resulted in a sack. He could also improve as an anticipatory thrower.
While watching him, I was reminded of Baker Mayfield. He has a similar style and plays with a chip on his shoulder. That is the ceiling, though. To me, the floor is a Sam Howell type. I also saw some Bo Nix flashes while watching his film.
Deeper QB Options In 2025 NFL Draft
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Jalen Milroe is a very toolsy QB who needs time to develop. He has a strong arm and can fit the ball into a tight window. He, however, is all gas, no brakes as a passer. He is a line-drive thrower and often puts high velocity on his throws. That is something that can hurt a young QB as they make the jump to the next level.
Milroe, though, is a quarterback I would love to use a later-round rookie pick to stash in dynasty leagues because of his running ability. Milroe’s speed immediately jumps off the screen when you watch his tape.
He scored 33 career rushing touchdowns, including 20 last year alone. He has the speed to outrun pass-rushers and secondary players. To no surprise, he often will tuck and run, even in a clean pocket.
Jalen Milroe going vroom against LSU pic.twitter.com/khfY6BBxaQ
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) April 1, 2025
The floor is a Malik Willis type, which can still be useful in fantasy in spot starts. The ceiling to me is Justin Fields. I also wrote that he reminds me of a less physical, freakish Anthony Richardson. He needs to develop, but if he gets a chance to start, he will be a better fantasy than a real-life quarterback.
Tyler Shough, QB, Louisville
I liked what I saw while watching Tyler Shough. He is a seasoned QB after having extended eligibility due to missing time with injuries. That has led to a quarterback who has a good command of an offense. He does not have the strongest arm, but he makes up for it by putting air under his deep ball. Despite that, he is not afraid to throw the ball into tight windows. He is comfortable in the pocket as well.
Plus, he was able to use his legs well in college. Both as a scrambler to throw on the move or to just pick up yards. I feel like he is an underrated athlete. The thing that most stood out to me is that despite the arm strength questions, Shough is a gunslinger. He is not afraid to try and squeeze the ball in, which at times leads to unnecessary interceptions.
Tyler Shough throwing the high corner off play-action. Can't drop it in the bucket much better than that. pic.twitter.com/WwImNydpmd
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) April 1, 2025
A gunslinger mentality without the gunslinger arm. A smart QB who can lead an offense and is mobile. That all reminded me of the one and only Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Quinn Ewers once had a lot of hype. Despite that starting to fade, there is stuff to like with Ewers. He is a very accurate QB and is a technically sound pocket passer. He has limited mobility and is not much of a rusher. He does use his legs, though, to create time and throw on the move. There were a lot of quick throws in his game.
Ewers does have limited arm strength. When he throws downfield, he puts a lot of air under the ball to make up for it. That can lead to him putting too much air under the ball. I have concerns of his ability to throw into tight windows in the NFL. He also struggled with handling pressure in college.
While watching Ewers play, the two names that kept coming to mind were Kenny Pickett and Gardner Minshew II.
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
Kyle McCord put up huge numbers in Syracuse last season, so I was excited to watch his tape. When you do, though, you notice a lot of screen passes and not a ton of downfield throws. Much of his yards came after the catch.
McCord has good zip on his short and intermediate throws, but when throwing deep, he tends to float the ball to make up for the lack of downfield arm strength. When he does miss, it’s due to putting too much air under the throw.
McCord does go through his progressions well and makes very quick decisions. He does not hold onto the ball long, which is good because he is not very mobile. He can throw on the move, but he just doesn’t do it much. He also is not afraid to sling the ball with pressure in his face.
McCord is a safe floor, low-upside type of prospect. While watching him, Mac Jones was the QB who came to mind.
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel put up numbers at Oregon, but I am not sure he will do the same at the next level. Gabriel is a good pocket passer with a nice touch on his throws. He knows how to play the position and could be trusted to run an offense in a pinch. His limitations are more physical.
Gabriel does not have the strongest arm. Not many of his throws went beyond 10 air yards, at least in the games I watched. He has a lack of velocity on his throw, which could make it difficult to throw to tight windows. He is also not much of a scrambler. I would rather take a shot on the other QBs in dynasty rookie drafts.
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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