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Outside of Cam Ward, there’s no clear consensus on where this year’s quarterbacks will land. After Ward presumably joins the Tennessee Titans, the rest of the prospects are up in the air. It’s equally possible that Ward will be the only quarterback selected on Thursday as it is that four could go in the first round.
Fortunately, we can navigate through this uncertainty and play matchmaker for this year’s top quarterback prospects, aligning them with teams that fit their styles. Sometimes this alignment hinges on the team’s needs; in other cases, it’s about offering the right setting to maximize a player’s abilities.
Let’s dive into the newly formed pairings.
Cam Ward: Tennessee Titans
All indications suggest that Ward will be the Titans’ starting quarterback next season. There’s little reason to speculate about other scenarios for him or the team at this stage. He fits well within Brian Callahan’s offensive framework and brings aspects that last year’s Titans quarterbacks lacked.
The Titans’ offensive strategy in 2024 focused on making the most of play-action and attacking the field. Ward possesses the arm strength and boldness to thrive in this setup. Additionally, he significantly enhanced his quick-passing abilities in college and is far more adept at operating from spread and empty formations than Will Levis. Ward is also a superior creator when plays break down.
Though there will be some initial challenges due to Ward’s enthusiastic playing style, they will pay off in the long term. He has the potential to be the top pick in this draft class.
Shedeur Sanders: New Orleans Saints
Identifying the ideal landing spot for Sanders proved more challenging than expected. The downfield play-action offense used by Kevin Stefanski in Cleveland isn’t a great match, while Brian Daboll’s faster-paced passing game might be a fit, though the Giants’ offensive line poses issues, and Sanders might struggle to utilize some key elements of Daboll’s scheme due to athletic limitations.
However, the thought of Sanders being Kellen Moore’s first quarterback is appealing. Sanders excels in spread passing concepts, particularly in short areas. He’s a dependable short-range passer who effectively utilizes the intermediate and deeper zones to keep defenses honest, making him a solid fit for a West Coast-style offense.
Sliding to ninth overall isn’t a certainty. The Browns or Giants might draft Sanders early out of desperation. But if he does drop, it would be unsurprising to see the Saints step in to select him.
Jaxson Dart: Seattle Seahawks
It would be surprising if the Seahawks don’t acquire a quarterback within the initial days of the draft. Sam Darnold’s contract is essentially a one-year deal with options beyond that — a clear indication that Seattle is gearing up to bring in a developmental quarterback.
While the Seahawks could choose various options, Dart aligns well with their new offense under Klint Kubiak.
Dart resembles Jimmy Garoppolo in playstyle. Both have similar physiques, arm strength, and excel at throwing over the middle. Many of Dart’s most impressive throws are slants, short posts, and crossers—mirroring Garoppolo’s effectiveness in San Francisco. Neither player is one you’d frequently want reading a full progression.
Theoretically, Kubiak’s scheme supports this approach. It relies on the run game, seamlessly transitioning into a powerful play-action strategy. This simplifies reads for the quarterback and often requires tight throws over the middle, which is Dart’s strength.
With a year on the bench to adapt to the league’s pace, Dart might find success with the Seahawks.
Tyler Shough: Cleveland Browns
For the Browns, the best move in acquiring a quarterback is selecting a Day 2 player who is ready to contribute right away. I believe that player is Shough.
Shough is the second most skilled passer in this draft behind Ward. He has a quick, explosive release that works effectively in and out of the pocket. Although he tends toward straightforward throws rather than those with finesse, he consistently delivers accurate passes.
Shough is also a capable processor. Much like Ryan Tannehill, he may take a moment longer to progress through his reads, but he avoids making silly mistakes and is good at protecting the ball.
Shough’s combination of readiness for professional play and arm talent makes him the ideal candidate for Kevin Stefanski’s current offense.
Jalen Milroe: Los Angeles Rams
If Sean McVay wants to maintain a consistent offensive style in a post-Matthew Stafford era, Milroe is not the solution—he’s quite the opposite of Stafford in this draft pool (aside from the few errant throws each QB tends to make).
However, McVay has shown interest in a dynamic quarterback in the past. He was eager to provide John Wolford opportunities at the end of Jared Goff’s tenure and retained him as a backup throughout 2022. He also started Bryce Perkins, who notably ran for 90 yards on 19 carries in a game.
Milroe will arrive in the NFL as one of the most athletic quarterbacks. As a passer, he’ll require at least a year to refine his footwork and adjust to the pace of NFL coverage, which isn’t a problem since there would be no pressure on him to vie for the starting position against Stafford.
This is more of a long-term strategy. Regardless of how feasible it is, I am eager to see McVay tap into boot-action plays and experiment with a quarterback-focused rushing attack.
Brian Daboll’s most notable achievements, besides coaching Josh Allen, were with Alabama in 2017, working with Jalen Hurts, and in 2022 with Daniel Jones.
Though Hurts and Jones are different in quality, both can be characterized as strong, athletic quarterbacks with the ability to stretch the field. They both added a mobility factor to their teams, which Daboll successfully capitalized on.
Aside from Milroe, Leonard has the potential to be another athletic option for Daboll. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 218 pounds, he has significant speed and explosiveness. He excels in shorter spaces and is effective when he can really open up, similar to Jones. He’s a clear asset in the designed run game and during red-zone situations.
While Leonard still has much to prove as a passer, his athletic prowess and tenacity provide a solid foundation as he works to refine his skills.
Kyle McCord: Dallas Cowboys
Identifying and keeping quality backup quarterbacks is challenging—the Cowboys were fortunate to draft and retain Cooper Rush for as long as they did. While Rush may not have been the most exciting player to watch, he was a competent quarterback who led the offense effectively without extending his limits.
With Rush now with the Ravens, the Cowboys are on the lookout for his successor. McCord seems to be their best option.
While McCord may not be an elite talent, his arm strength is decent, and he won’t intimidate anyone with his mobility.
Like any competent NFL backup, McCord can manage an offense effectively and reliably. He developed a solid understanding of the game at Syracuse, showcasing excellent timing and decision-making as a passer.
While it’s doubtful he will rise above being a solid backup, that’s perfectly suitable for a Cowboys team in search of that particular type of player.
Will Howard: Pittsburgh Steelers
They definitely need to draft a quarterback, right? Even if Aaron Rodgers finally drops the act and signs, the Steelers must take steps to secure a youthful quarterback.
Howard is a good fit for Arthur Smith’s offense. He’s not expected to be a high-volume passer, which aligns with Smith’s preference for a run-focused strategy. Moreover, Howard’s key strengths include his size and throwing ability, enabling him to make deep throws comfortably, along with notable agility for his build. Under Howard’s leadership, Smith’s entire play-action and boot scheme would be viable.
It’s hard to visualize Howard gaining the consistency and quick decision-making needed to flourish as an NFL starter, but Smith’s offense in Pittsburgh could help mitigate his weaknesses while capitalizing on his strengths.
Dillon Gabriel: Miami Dolphins
Pairing the short left-handed quarterback prospect with the short left-handed NFL quarterback might seem odd, but it makes sense considering their respective strengths and the differences between left- and right-handed throwers.
Pass-catchers often mention that the spin and trajectory of the ball vary with left-handed quarterbacks—the ball rotates in the opposite direction compared to 99 percent of quarterbacks, giving it a unique appearance as it approaches a receiver.
Much like Tua Tagovailoa, Gabriel excels at run-pass options (RPOs) and middle throws. He boasts a quick and explosive throwing motion, making him well-suited to execute RPOs effectively. Notably, he also excels at in-breaking throws, providing more velocity than Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins urgently need to find a reliable backup quarterback, and Gabriel is a fitting choice.
Quinn Ewers: Buffalo Bills
Not every player or team achieves their ideal match in these scenarios. Often, teams have to accept whoever is left standing.
From the Bills’ viewpoint, securing a young backup quarterback is essential since Mitchell Trubisky has only one year remaining on his contract. It makes sense for the Bills to proactively secure a developmental player.
Ewers would bring valuable athleticism and throwing capability for Joe Brady. Although he still battles with pocket awareness and touch accuracy—particularly on deep passes—there’s enough potential to shape him into a competent backup.
(Top photo of Jaxson Dart: Justin Ford / Getty Images)
