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Every rookie quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft - and when they are likely to start in the NFL
The 2025 NFL Draft was notable for its scarcity of first-round quarterbacks with only two selected, the second-lowest total in the past five years.
Most teams agreed the class lacked elite, can’t-miss prospects, yet by the end of seven rounds, 13 quarterbacks had been taken . That’s the second-highest total in the last five years, bested only by the 14 selected in 2023.
With quarterback still the league’s most important and highest-paid position , attention now shifts to how quickly this year’s group will see the field.
DAZN News runs through every quarterback drafted in 2025 and offers an opinion on when each might be ready to take the reins for their respective team.
Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans - Round 1, pick 1 overall
The Titans made no secret of their intentions to select the University of Miami star with their first overall selection. They made little effort to reinforce the position after becoming frustrated with Will Levis in 2024, and are set to start Ward from day one.
The Titans lack offensive playmakers, and Ward is clear about the work ahead of the team.
However, Ward has demonstrated the ability to elevate offenses, and will be given every opportunity - and ample time - to develop into the player the Titans envisaged. He's a candidate to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award .
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants - Round 1, pick 25 overall
The Giants appeared to draft Dart with an eye toward 2026. In May, they brought in veteran quarterback Russell Wilson , who, barring injury, will open the season as the signal-caller. After selecting Dart, head coach Brian Daboll made it clear: "Russ will be our starter, and that's how it'll be once we get started."
Dart may see some time in relief when games are out of hand, and could earn a start toward the end of the season if the Giants are out of playoff contention. Otherwise, he's in line to start next year, as Wilson's current contract expires at the end of the 2025 season.
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints - Round 2, pick 40 overall
Derek Carr's retirement opened the door for Shough to start the Saints' opening game. Shough is currently in a three-way competition with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener for the quarterback job, but is expected to win that battle early. New Orleans signed him to a fully guaranteed four-year contract, signalling their confidence in him to become a potential difference-maker.
Jalen Milroe, Seattle Seahawks - Round 3, pick 92 overall
Milroe is a dual-threat quarterback with the potential to become an impact player, given time to iron out some of his inconsistencies as a passer. The Seahawks signed Sam Darnold to a three-year contract, and he will undoubtedly be their starter in 2025 and likely beyond.
Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns - Round 3, pick 94 overall, and Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns - Round 5, pick 144 overall
Joe Flacco has taken the bulk of the first-team reps in offseason practice while others have dealt with injuries, and the veteran has been listed as the starter on the Browns' initial depth chart. However, former first-rounder Kenny Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders are all in contention for the job in 2025.
It appears either Flacco or Pickett will be under center to open the season, while Gabriel and Sanders continue to develop. If the veterans stumble, or if Cleveland slips out of playoff contention, it wouldn’t be surprising to see one of the rookies get a shot at the starting job before the end of the season.
Kyle McCord, Philadelphia Eagles - Round 6, pick 181 overall
Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts is firmly entrenched as the starter for the Eagles. Philadelphia has very little experienced depth behind Hurts should he suffer an injury, but even so, Tanner McKee seems likely to be next in line after performing well toward the end of the 2024 season.
Despite leading the FBS in passing yards per game, McCord has a seemingly impossible path to earning significant starting snaps during his rookie contract.
Will Howard, Pittsburgh Steelers - Round 6, pick 185 overall
Aaron Rodgers will start for the Steelers in 2025, and should he be unavailable for any reason, Mason Rudolph will take his place.
With that said, Rodgers has indicated that this will be his final year in the NFL , and Rudolph has failed to demonstrate he can play well enough to justify a starting role. Howard is coming off winning a National Championship, and if he impresses behind the scenes, he has a better chance than most sixth-round quarterbacks to earn a starting role in 2026.
Leaning on Rodgers could be key to his development.
Riley Leonard, Indianapolis Colts - Round 6, pick 189 overall
The Colts quarterback position is far from set, as former first-round quarterback Anthony Richardson has failed to impress, and Daniel Jones has been mediocre throughout his career and is only signed to a one-year deal.
It is improbable for a sixth-round quarterback to become a starter in the NFL, but Leonard is a dark-horse candidate to be in the mix for the job in 2026 if he exceeds expectations.
Graham Mertz, Houston Texans - Round 6, pick 197 overall
C.J. Stroud is the unquestioned starter for the Texans for the foreseeable future, and Davis Mills has proven to be a capable backup when called upon.
Mertz has suffered from injuries in the past, but was reasonably accurate when healthy. It would be a major surprise if he started during his rookie contract.
Cam Miller, Las Vegas Raiders - Round 6, pick 215 overall
Miller helped North Dakota to an excellent record in the FCS, but he faces an uphill climb to becoming an NFL starter early in his career. Geno Smith should start for the Raiders for at least the next two years, and Aidan O'Connell will serve as his backup.
With that said, an endorsement from the NFL's best quarterback in NFL history certainly counts for something.
Kurtis Rourke, San Francisco 49ers - Round 7, pick 227 overall
Brock Purdy will lead the 49ers' offense for several years after signing a five-year, $265 million extension in May 2025 . Should he suffer an injury setback, Mac Jones will take his place.
Rourke performed extremely well for Indiana despite playing on a torn ACL, but it would be a major surprise if he ever started in the NFL.
Quinn Ewers, Miami Dolphins - Round 7, pick 231 overall
Ewers delivered in clutch moments and has many traits that suggest, despite his lowly draft capital, that he could become a starting quarterback if he continues to improve.
Whether he gets the opportunity is another matter. It seems extremely unlikely he'll have the chance in 2025, or even 2026. The Dolphins will once again lean on Tua Tagovailoa to lead the offense in 2025, and have signed Zach Wilson as the backup.
Looking for Las Vegas Raiders Tommy Mellott? While he may see the occasional snap at quarterback, it appears the Raiders view him as a chess piece who they will move around the formation .
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