nine QB-adjacent NFL offensive coaches break down the QB class

[MightyGiants]

Great stuff on the QBs

https://www.si.com/nfl/2025-nfl-draft-qb-class-like-2022

[MightyGiants]

I thought the comps were interesting


Cam Ward, Miami (Fla.)
Size: 6' 1⅝", 219 pounds

Traits comp: Sawed-off Ben Roethlisberger

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Size: 6' 1½", 212 pounds

Traits comp: Teddy Bridgewater

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Size: 6' 2¼ ", 223 pounds

Traits comp: Baker Mayfield with less arm


Tyler Shough, Louisville
Dimensions: 6' 4⅞", 219 pounds

Traits comp: Drew Lock


Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Size: 6' 1⅞ ", 217 pounds

Traits comp: Taysom Hill


Quinn Ewers, Texas
Dimensions: 6' 2⅛", 214 pounds

Traits comp: Spencer Rattler


Will Howard, Ohio State
Size: 6' 4¼", 236 pounds

Traits comp: Josh McCown


Kyle McCord, Syracuse
Dimensions: 6' 3", 218 pounds

Traits comp: Case Keenum


Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Dimensions: 6' 3⅜", 216 pounds

Traits comp: A less-jacked Tim Tebow

[MrGap92]

The Taysom Hill comp is interesting, to say the least

[MightyGiants]

The Taysom Hill comp is interesting, to say the least

Well, that is Milroe's floor, and I would say the chances are significant that is what he ends up being in the NFL

[Gman329]

VERY interesting! And this only fortifies my strong belief that we don't let desperation dictate our pick.  Wilson buys us a year, anyway, to find a QB for 2026.  This could be through trade, free agency or the 2026 draft.  For this year, please don't waste a 3rd or even 4th round pick on the next Drew Lock. Those picks can help us.  These QBs will not. 

[Ed Vette]

Well, that's depressing. Although at times they didn't agree. We all know it's a challenging class to predict. Even JT O'Sullivan is not optimistic and he did a lot of work on Sanders, Ward, Dart...

[nb587]

I'm not even sure Ward is that good.  That said, I'm thinking that if you've put one of these guys, maybe more, who is a willing student, with the right coach and a decent structure and no pressure from the start, the end result will be a pretty good QB.  No clue on who that is.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

The draft is probably the most unpredictable thing imaginable. Everyone has an opinion and few agree. And if you're sitting in the catbird seat, you have to make a decision in which tens of millions of dollars are on the line, not to mention your entire career, yet it's still like rolling dice and needing snake eyes or a dozen dots with one roll

Ask yourself, "what made Tom Brady so successful?" It certainly wasn't his "cannon for an arm", or "deadly accuracy", or his "ability to run like a deer", etc. In fact, if you look at old pictures of Brady in high school, he's out in the parking lot smoking a cigarette...hardly a trait you want in a QB. It all came down to what was between his ears - his personality and mindset. He just had a knack, for a better choice of words, to win and would rise to the occasion for the biggest games while under extreme pressure. That's what every team wants in their QB, but how do you measure it??? You can't. You can only measure physical attributes and use the players' past numbers and hopefully find something special during private workouts - and good luck with that

Absolutely nothing to do with this thread, but it reminds me of something Charlie Harper said to his loser brother when Allen asked Charlie how he was always able to get chicks. Alan sat in awe waiting for that secret sauce so he could finally get a woman. Charlie told him, "well...you see Alan, it's like this (as Alan sat on the edge of his seat in anticipation)...I have a knack"...lol. That's all the advice he had to offer. It busted me up watching Alan melt down and screaming, "a knack...a knack...that's your big secret?" but again...I digress

[Ed Vette]

The draft is probably the most unpredictable thing imaginable. Everyone has an opinion and few agree. And if you're sitting in the catbird seat, you have to make a decision in which tens of millions of dollars are on the line, not to mention your entire career, yet it's still like rolling dice and needing snake eyes or a dozen dots with one roll

Ask yourself, "what made Tom Brady so successful?" It certainly wasn't his "cannon for an arm", or "deadly accuracy", or his "ability to run like a deer", etc. In fact, if you look at old pictures of Brady in high school, he's out in the parking lot smoking a cigarette...hardly a trait you want in a QB. It all came down to what was between his ears - his personality and mindset. He just had a knack, for a better choice of words, to win and would rise to the occasion for the biggest games while under extreme pressure. That's what every team wants in their QB, but how do you measure it??? You can't. You can only measure physical attributes and use the players' past numbers and hopefully find something special during private workouts - and good luck with that

Absolutely nothing to do with this thread, but it reminds me of something Charlie Harper said to his loser brother when Allen asked Charlie how he was always able to get chicks. Alan sat in awe waiting for that secret sauce so he could finally get a woman. Charlie told him, "well...you see Alan, it's like this (as Alan sat on the edge of his seat in anticipation)...I have a knack"...lol. That's all the advice he had to offer. It busted me up watching Alan melt down and screaming, "a knack...a knack...that's your big secret?" but again...I digress

The it factor.

[MightyGiants]

@Jolly Blue Giant inspired me to look for Tom's scouting report from 2000 (via Mel Kiper)

Tom Brady, QB, Michigan (6-4¼, 211 pounds)
Overall: Fifth-round grade | Position rank: No. 10 quarterback

Smart, experienced big-game signal-caller, getting very high grades in the efficiency department this past season. Brady cut his interception total from '98 in half, tossing 20 TD passes compared to just six interceptions. He threw for 2,586 yards, completing an impressive 62.8% of his aerials. For his efforts, Brady was named team MVP. After working as Brian Griese's backup in '97, Brady went on to start 25 straight games with the Wolverines.

He's a straight dropback passer who stands tall in the pocket, doesn't show nervous feet, and does a nice job working through his progressions. He's not going to try to force the action, rarely trying to perform beyond his capability. He threw a TD pass in all 16 games he started against Big Ten opposition, while tossing 15 straight completions during the second half of action this past season against Michigan State. He's accurate, throws a very catchable ball, and also knows when to take a little off the pass.

This past season, Brady completed over 60% of his passes in eight games. The only time he was really off the mark was against Penn State, when he completed just 17 of 36 passes, tossing two TD strikes compared to three interceptions. At the pro level, his lack of mobility could surface as a problem, and it will be interesting to see how he fares when forced to take more chances down the field.

Sure, he doesn't have the total package of skills, but you have to be impressed with his level of performance this past season against Notre Dame (17-of-24), Wisconsin (17-of-27), Michigan State (30-of-41), Ohio State (17-of-27), and Alabama (34-of-46 for 369 yards and 4 TDs).

Combine note: Ran a 5.24 40-yard dash and had a 24½-inch vertical jump.

So what you had was a quick processor who threw an accurate catchable ball.  Combine that with his fanatical work ethic and outstanding leadership and the development from Bill Belichick and company and you had the makings of the GOAT.


Here are comments on Brady from five talent evaluators leading up to the 2000 NFL draft:

Scout: Awful. Not even on my board. Weak. He'll make somebody a good husband or a good medical salesman.

Scout II: Has a quick, (former Michigan QB Brian) Griese-type release.

Quarterback coach: Backup. Could be a #2 in this league for a long time. Has the size but not enough arm.

Offensive coordinator: More instinctive than (Michigan State QB Bill) Burke. Makes better decisions, makes more plays.

General manager: Like him. Just wish he was a better athlete.


https://rickgosselin.com/draft-review-tom-brady/

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29040115/tom-brady-scouting-report-2000-nfl-draft-mel-kiper-pre-draft-grade-ranking

[Jolly Blue Giant]

@Jolly Blue Giant inspired me to look for Tom's scouting report from 2000 (via Mel Kiper)


So what you had was a quick processor who threw an accurate catchable ball.  Combine that with his fanatical work ethic and outstanding leadership and the development from Bill Belichick and company and you had the makings of the GOAT.


Here are comments on Brady from five talent evaluators leading up to the 2000 NFL draft:

Scout: Awful. Not even on my board. Weak. He'll make somebody a good husband or a good medical salesman.

Scout II: Has a quick, (former Michigan QB Brian) Griese-type release.

Quarterback coach: Backup. Could be a #2 in this league for a long time. Has the size but not enough arm.

Offensive coordinator: More instinctive than (Michigan State QB Bill) Burke. Makes better decisions, makes more plays.

General manager: Like him. Just wish he was a better athlete.


https://rickgosselin.com/draft-review-tom-brady/

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29040115/tom-brady-scouting-report-2000-nfl-draft-mel-kiper-pre-draft-grade-ranking

That is funny as heck 

[Bob In PA]

I'm not even sure Ward is that good.  That said, I'm thinking that if you've put one of these guys, maybe more, who is a willing student, with the right coach and a decent structure and no pressure from the start, the end result will be a pretty good QB.  No clue on who that is.

nb: Yeah, even Ward is borderline considering how high he's going to go.

But IMO he's good enough to win on all but the very worst teams.

Sadly, we're one of them right now, but I would not be angry if the Giants got him (without moving up).

Bob

[Jclayton92]

This is my take on what the top 4 Qbs could be at their peak.

Comps for the top 4:

Cam Ward- Jordan Love

Jaxson Dart- Jalen Hurts

Sheddur Sanders- Jared Goff

Tyler Shough- Kirk Cousins

[ozzie]

Those comps in the first post are very uninspiring.

[nb587]

nb: Yeah, even Ward is borderline considering how high he's going to go.

But IMO he's good enough to win on all but the very worst teams.

Sadly, we're one of them right now, but I would not be angry if the Giants got him (without moving up).

Bob

Bob- I'm going to disagree with you on one point.  I don't think we're nearly as bad as most think and not one of the worst teams in the league.  Plus, I expect the team will be stronger after the draft.  I don't know about the record given the schedule but this team will be much better tgan than expected