The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory, with several teams potentially vying for the coveted No. 1 overall pick. As the draft approaches, the debate is heating up over which quarterback will emerge as the top choice. While it’s often expected that a quarterback will go off the board first, the competition for the top spot in this particular class remains wide open.
According to a recent ESPN poll of 20 NFL scouts and executives, Colorado’s rising star Shedeur Sanders is currently the frontrunner to be the top quarterback selected in 2025. Sanders, the son of Hall of Fame cornerback and current Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, received the most support in the poll, earning nine votes as the top quarterback prospect. While this places him ahead of his peers for now, it’s by no means a certainty that he will hold onto this position.
The race for QB1 in the 2025 draft class is far from settled. Following closely behind Sanders is Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck, who garnered five votes in the poll. Alabama’s dual-threat signal caller Jalen Milroe is also in the mix, securing four votes from NFL evaluators.
Miami’s standout QB Cam Ward and Texas Longhorns junior Quinn Ewers each received one vote, signaling that there is a wide range of opinions on who could ultimately emerge as the top quarterback prospect in this talented class.
“Definitely a strange year,” one NFL executive told ESPN. “We obviously need to see more.” This sentiment reflects the uncertainty that currently surrounds the 2025 quarterback class, as no player has yet solidified themselves as the consensus No. 1 pick.
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Sanders, in particular, has generated a lot of buzz since his standout performances early in the 2023 college football season. Entering the season, NFL scouts were divided on his potential as a future franchise quarterback.
His talent is undeniable, but there are still questions about how he will translate to the next level. One NFC area scout covering Colorado expressed reservations following the Buffaloes’ loss to Oregon, saying, “Watching that Oregon game, he didn’t have a chance behind that group. There are some things that come with him, but I believe he has a chance to be special if he matures in some areas.”
An AFC scout echoed this sentiment, adding that “When they actually protected him, you just simply can’t teach the poise that that kid plays with. They crumbled after those first few games, but in those first games, Shedeur showed that he’s capable of operating at a high level when he has time.” Sanders’ ability to thrive when given adequate protection, paired with his poise under pressure, has impressed evaluators, but questions about consistency and decision-making remain.
Another key factor in the Sanders draft saga is his father, Deion Sanders, who has been vocal about his son’s future and where he believes he should land in the NFL. Deion Sanders has made it clear that he already has certain destinations in mind for Shedeur and Colorado’s star two-way player, Travis Hunter.
This has led to speculation that the Sanders camp may have a strong preference regarding where Shedeur ends up, adding another layer of complexity to the draft process.
While there is still plenty of time for evaluations to shift and prospects to rise or fall, Shedeur Sanders currently leads a field of talented quarterbacks in the race for the No. 1 spot in the 2025 NFL Draft.
With the spotlight on Sanders and other top QBs like Carson Beck and Jalen Milroe, the 2025 draft promises to be a fascinating event for NFL fans and scouts alike. How each of these players performs over the next year will be critical in determining who ultimately hears their name called first on draft day.
