NFL draft preview: Uncertain year for quarterbacks won't impact the Buffalo Bills
The Bills are all set at quarterback. This year, other teams around the league are hoping to find the next Josh Allen.
This is the third in a series of position previews for the 2025 NFL draft. Today: Quarterbacks.
Long gone are the days when Buffalo Bills fans need to study the film of college quarterbacks. They still can, of course. But Buffalo is set with Josh Allen for another six years thanks to the quarterback’s recent record-setting extension.
Instead, other teams around the league must hope to find the next Josh Allen. The problem is this year’s class is lackluster. Some of it may be recency bias after last year’s quarterback class boasted a run on premier players. But some are just uncertain about this year’s crop in a vacuum.
Overall position ranking: 3.5/10.
Bills view: The Bills’ need at quarterback can be summed up in three letters: MVP. With Allen as the league’s reigning most valuable player, the Bills are set at franchise quarterback. But it’s not just Allen who dictates the Bills’ draft needs. And depth-wise? They are set there as well, with four quarterbacks on the roster at this point. Mitch Trubisky, Mike White and Shane Buechele round out the room.
Bills need ranking: 1/10.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward watches a drill at the NFL scouting combine on March 1 in Indianapolis. George Walker IV, AP file photo
The best: Cam Ward. Ward knows sometimes the journey to the NFL can take a few steps. He began his college career at Incarnate Word, spending two seasons in the FCS. He transferred to Washington State for two seasons before finishing his college career at the University of Miami. There, he was the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year. He threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Ward is calm and gets the ball out quickly and confidently. He will sometimes force balls, but that also gives him the ability to have splashy plays.
And right behind Ward: Shedeur Sanders is a four-year starter, all under his dad, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. Shedeur spent two years at Jackson State, logging a 23-2 record, before transferring to Colorado. The 2024 Big 12 Player of the Year, Sanders has exactly one more passing yard than Ward this past season. Sanders threw for 27 touchdowns and ran for four, with 10 interceptions along the way. He’s a good pocket passer, but his size is a concern, as is how high is his ceiling.
Names to know: Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss presents a conundrum with his accuracy when he’s less than attentive with his footwork, but he’s been able to extend plays and give his receivers a chance. Dart’s a good athlete with a solid arm, but still needs some work under center. His 4,279 passing yards last season were his single-season high and the third most in the FBS.
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe improved in 2024 but is still a bit raw. He has solid traits and is a dual threat with his notable speed. He ran for more touchdowns (20) than he threw for (16) in 2024. He threw for 2,844 yards with 11 interceptions, and he gained another 726 yards on the ground. He’s tough, but his accuracy isn’t where it needs to be right now.
Sleeper: Taylor Elgersma was the first Canadian quarterback at the Senior Bowl. Look for him in a late round or as a UDFA. The London, Ont., native was first-team All-Canadian this past season, and was the winner of the Hec Crighton Trophy, awarded each year to the most outstanding Canadian football player in the U Sports league.
TOP 10 QUARTERBACKS
Rank Player, school Ht. Wt.
1 Cam Ward, Miami 6-2 219
2 Shedeur Sanders, Colorado 6-2 212
3 Jaxson Dart*, Ole Miss 6-2 223
4 Jalen Milroe*, Alabama 6-2 217
5 Kyle McCord, Syracuse 6-3 218
6 Tyler Shough, Louisville 6-5 219
7 Quinn Ewers*, Texas 6-2 214
8 Will Howard, Ohio State 6-4 236
9 Riley Leonard, Notre Dame 6-4 216
10 Dillon Gabriel, Oregon 5-11 205
* − Underclassman