Many view the quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class as a two or three-horse race when it comes to prospects worth a first-round selection. Those three are most commonly projected as University of Miami’s Cam Ward, University of Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, and University of Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart.
While there’s no consensus saying Ward is sure to be better than Sanders or vice versa, most agree that the top tier includes those two quarterbacks, with Dart leading off the second tier of best QB prospects in 2025. However, one NFL GM feels differently.
Related: 2025 mock draft: When could Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart get drafted?
Could Jaxson Dart be drafted before Shedeur Sanders?
Cam Ward is projected to be anywhere from the first player selected to one landing in the top-six picks. Shedeur Sanders’ draft projection has him landing anywhere from No. 2 to the top 21 picks. Meanwhile, Jaxson Dart, if he’s a first-round pick, is someone who may not be on teams’ radars until the 20s.
Yet, according to ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller, Dart has a “strong possibility” of surpassing Sanders as the second QB drafted in the first round on April 24.
“Everyone is waiting to see how the combine affects the quarterback rankings. One general manager I spoke with before heading to Indianapolis felt there was a strong possibility of Jaxson Dart supplanting Shedeur Sanders as QB2 with a strong all-around event (including interviews). Cam Ward seems to be the consensus top QB, but the order behind him is currently a toss-up. Scouts are hoping the combine will help sort out the passer board, but the buzz on Dart rising is legitimate.”
ESPN on Jaxson Dart surpassing Shedeur Sanders
If the NFL Draft started tonight and Dart was selected before Sanders, it would come as a massive surprise. Yet, the Ole Miss QB has a big opportunity ahead by deciding to throw in front of scouts and front office evaluators at Lucas Oil Stadium. Meanwhile, Sanders has opted not to do drills and will focus on impressing during the interview process instead.
