Ballot – Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward separate from pack of draft QBs

ARLINGTON, Texas — The highest of the quarterback market seems to have solidified for the 2025 NFL draft, with an ESPN ballot displaying that Colorado‘s Shedeur Sanders and Miami‘s Cam Ward have separated themselves from the remainder of the category.

ESPN re-polled 20 scouts and executives, asking them the similar factor we did in October: Who’s the highest quarterback for the 2025 NFL draft?

Within the newest ballot, Sanders obtained 11 votes and Ward obtained 9, a definite distinction from the outcomes previous to the weekend of Oct. 5.

The outcomes from the primary ballot confirmed a a lot wider variance, as Sanders obtained 9 votes forward of Georgia‘s Carson Beck (5), Alabama‘s Jalen Milroe (4), Ward (1) and Texas‘ Quinn Ewers (1).

One scout initially described the quarterback class as “muddy,” and the consensus amongst scouts is that this crop of quarterbacks is a definite downgrade from final 12 months. Within the 2024 NFL draft, a report six quarterbacks went within the first spherical, all of them going within the first 12 picks.

Ward and Sanders are considerably totally different gamers, which may influence decision-making on the high of the draft. Ward is a prototype dual-threat who shall be known as on for designed runs within the NFL. Sanders is not a plus athlete within the minds of scouts, as he’s extra of a dropback quarterback who is not a ok athlete for known as working performs.

“This is among the weakest courses,” mentioned a veteran scout. “There’s not numerous depth to it, and there is not numerous high-talent gamers both.”

That actuality goes to collide with the variety of groups with a big want for a quarterback. The draft’s high three groups — the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants — all may decide a QB and be part of the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints as most needing quarterback assist. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts additionally may look to handle the place within the draft, although not with the urgency of the others.

When selecting their high quarterback, scouts and executives used phrases like “reluctantly” and “do not adore it.” One scout mentioned he was uncertain if there’s any franchise quarterbacks on this draft.

The crop obtained even weaker Thursday when Beck reversed course and determined to enter the switch portal and return to varsity. Beck injured his elbow within the SEC title recreation Dec. 7 and had surgical procedure in Los Angeles on Dec. 23 by famend orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache.

He follows Ward in his path — Ward declared for the draft earlier than becoming a member of the Hurricanes in January 2024 — and in vacation spot, as sources instructed ESPN on Friday that Beck had dedicated to Miami. His option to return to highschool has been considered as a clever one.

“Sensible transfer,” one scout instructed ESPN. “He had an up-and-down 12 months, plenty of query marks, he got here again and answered them. He is very proficient, very inconsistent. He wants a greater physique of labor, for my part.”

LSU‘s Garrett Nussmeier and Penn State‘s Drew Allar shall be forward of Beck and Clemson‘s Cade Klubnik within the dialog for the highest quarterback within the 2026 draft.

Allar’s identify gained buzz in NFL circles in latest weeks, although he has said publicly that he’s coming again.

“I sit up for making extra reminiscences with my teammates this 12 months and past,” he mentioned in a press release previous to the beginning of the School Soccer Playoff.

His efficiency towards Notre Dame on Thursday proved a troublesome one, as he failed to finish a go to a large receiver and threw a late interception that led to the Irish’s profitable subject aim.