SNS Mail Bag - March 14, 2025

Cam Ward / QB / Miami, Fl

1. Who is the best QB in this draft, Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders and why? And who are the pro comparisons for both.

(SNS will be updating the SNS Big Board and Positional Rankings in the coming weeks. The listed rankings in this article were compiled prior to the NFL Scouting Combine.)

The draft stock of Shedeur Sanders (SNS’ #49 overall prospect) seems to be taking a tumble down draft boards as reports from the NFL Scouting Combine indicate that he turned off scouts and pro personnel in team interviews by seeming aloof and arrogant. On film, the biggest concern regarding Sanders is how long it appears to take him to process what he sees – he has a tendency to wait for receivers to get open and does not throw with nearly enough anticipation. In the NFL, if you wait for the receiver to uncover, it’s too late. Sanders is not nearly as talented as Caleb Williams but has a similar issue of holding on to the ball for too long.

Cam Ward (SNS’ #11 overall prospect), on the other hand, consistently throws with anticipation and has a rocket for an arm – the ball moves with excellent velocity and rotation. Ward is a fantastic leader in the mold of Jalen Hurts and brings out the best from his supporting cast on offense. Ward has a little bit of Brett Favre in his game in that he has never seen a receiver he was not confident he could get the ball to, regardless of the quality of coverage, and makes too many ill-advised throws. Ward is the best QB in this draft but pales somewhat in comparison to last year’s top QBs (Williams, Daniels, Maye, Penix, and McCarthy). Ward seems destined to be a Top 10 pick next month while Sanders may fall out of the first round.

2. Who is SNS’ top 5 QBs in this draft?

Cam Ward / Miami, Fl (#1 QB / #11 Overall)

Dillon Gabriel / Oregon (#2 QB / #35 Overall)

Shedeur Sanders / Colorado (#3 QB / #49 Overall)

Quinn Ewers / Texas (#4 QB / #59 Overall)

Kyle McCord / Syracuse (#5 QB / #67 Overall)

The biggest riser amongst QBs at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine was Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, who checks all the boxes from a physical stand point – 6’2 & ¼” / 223 / 9 & 5/8” Hands – and has the arm strength and athleticism to flourish in the NFL. Dart looked good throwing against air and was impressive during on-field workouts. But Dart has never truly elevated the play of those around him and has struggled under pressure situations (see his performance late in the game against Florida), rarely showing any special qualities desired in QBs. Dart may be the second QB drafted next month. His talent and upside are enticing but the consistency of his play is not worthy of making him a first-round selection in Green Bay the last weekend in April.

3. Thoughts on Will Howard and pro comp?

Will Howard dramatically improved his draft standing leading the Buckeyes to the National Championship back in January, displaying quality leadership skills, a strong arm, and excellent open field running ability. However, whatever progress he made in improving his stock in the postseason was tempered by his throwing performance at the Combine where he was highly inaccurate, especially considering he was under no duress and his receivers were uncovered. Howard also failed to display consistent touch on his passes in Indianapolis, a problem that has plagued him at both Kansas State and Ohio State. Howard is a winner and a leader with a great arm but he still a work in progress before he is ready to contribute as a pro. Howard is slightly more athletic Will Levis, he is just not as developed as a passer as the Titans’ starting signal caller. Howard should get drafted in rounds six or seven next month.

4. Who could be this year’s Brock Purdy, or Kirk Cousins, or Dak Prescott - if there is any, and why? Thoughts?

Cousins and Prescott were mid-round picks and Purdy was Mr. Irrelevant, the title presented to the last player selected in the NFL Draft, and all three QBs have become starting quality signal callers. So, which QBs in the 2025 class look like mid-round prospects who could be developed into playoff-worthy starting NFL QBs? Purdy, Cousins, and Prescott all started multiple seasons in Power 4 conferences and entered the NFL with developed field vision, poise in the pocket, and leadership ability that makes the sum much greater than the parts (e.g., size, arm strength, mobility). All three QBs were highly experienced in NFL systems in college, are durable, and display the intelligence desired at QB. Three 2025 QB prospects have similar resumes to these NFL veterans and could follow similar paths. Kyle McCord (Syracuse) started his career at Ohio State and has two years of starting experience in the Big Ten and ACC. He has steadily improved and took a significant step up this past season. He is a very good athlete who displayed improved leadership this past season in upstate New York. Dillon Gabriel (Oregon) has started at UCF and Oklahoma and has passed for over 17,000 yards and an FBS record 188 TDs in his five years of starting. Gabriel lacks desired size but has a great arm and displays accuracy, timing, and touch consistently over the short and intermediate zones. His leadership skills are top notch. Jalen Milroe (Alabama) is not ready to contribute immediately at the NFL level – his footwork and arm mechanics need development - but his intelligence and leadership ability are reminiscent of Jalen Hurts in college and he looks like a future starter. Milroe has open field running ability similar to Anthony Richardson and needs to be drafted by an organization willing to develop him over a couple of seasons before he is ready to lead a team. The 2025 NFL Draft lacks great depth at the QB position but McCord, Gabriel, and Milroe all have traits found in starting NFL QBs and could become starters in the next couple of seasons.

5. If you are the Tennessee Titans, who would you draft # 1 overall and why? For me, I say Travis Hunter is the best player in the draft so I would take him if I were the Titans. Should they trade back? Thoughts? - Tim Cornwell

The top prospect on the SNS 2025 NFL Draft Big Board is the dynamic weapon Travis Hunter, the only prospect in SNS history to grade out as a first-round player on offense and defense. Hunter looks like a Pro Bowl player at either WR or CB and will try to play both regularly. But the NFL places a premium on three positions at the top of the draft – QB, OT, and EDGE. Basically, if you are not a QB, or tasked with his protection or pursuit, the NFL will not consider you first overall. Although Hunter’s skill set is rare, the concern is whether or not his body can withstand the physicality of the game and if he will touch the ball nearly enough to go off the board before every QB and EDGE Rusher in this draft.

The Titans have a major need at both QB and EDGE with Will Levis not the QB of the future and no proven outside pass rusher after releasing Harold Landry (who has since signed with the Patriots). The Titans need to decide if Ward is a significant enough upgrade over Levis to select him first overall. Another possibility would be selecting EDGE Abdul Carter (Penn State), an electrifying speed rusher with the bend and burst that is rare in an outside pass rusher. The fact is, the Titans are not just one draft away from contending and the absence of a franchise defining QB would seem to indicate that a trade would be the best choice. But who would their trade partner select at the top of the draft that the Titans wouldn’t also select? This draft has some great prospects at OT, TE, EDGE, IDL, and Safety but the value just isn’t there at the top of the draft. The best bet is select Carter and get an impact pass rusher at the top of the draft.

Abdul Carter / EDGE / Penn State

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