NFL draft prospects 2025: QBs and Specialist
April 23, 2025
by Alex Zeese
Kickers:
I am going to annoy everyone and start by talking about special teams. Why? Because as annoyed as some of you would be if Washington drafted a kicker, especially Steve, who would likely break his TV, I think that’s more likely than Washington drafting a quarterback. Washington absolutely needs to bring in as many kickers for workouts as possible to find their guy. Washington can’t go through the mess they had last season using 230 kickers in a single season.
There are only a few kicker prospects in this year’s class worth discussing:
Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State- 6’1” 193lbs
Stats: 2024- 14/14 on XP’s 13/13 on FG’s, 5/5 on 50+ (that’s 100% accuracy in case you’re bad at math)
Career- 178/182 (97.8%) XP, 58/74(78.4%) FG’s, 6/9 on 50+
While he was a decent kicker most of his college career, it wasn’t until the 2023 and 2024 seasons that he put it all together, and his field goal accuracy took a serious jump from long range. His most impressive kick was when he nailed a 59 yard field goal last season from the left hash.
Andres Borregales, Miami- 5’11” 199lbs
Stats: 2024- 62/62(100%) on XP’s, 18/19(94.7%) on FG’s, 2/2 on 50+
Career-183/184(99.5%) on XP’s, 74/86(86%) on FG’s, 7/10 on 50+
Incurably accurate through his career and was 7/10 over 50 yards. He holds Miami’s all-time scoring record with 405 points in his career. He was born in Miami, his family moved to the USA from Venezuela. His brother Jose was also a kicker at Miami and was with the Buccaneers on their practice squad for 2 years after college.
Ben Sauls, Pittsburgh- 5’10” 182
Stats: 2024- 44/44(100%) on XP’s, 21/24(87%) on FG’s, 6/7 on 50+
Career- 119/119(100%) on XP’s, 52/64(81.3%) on FG’s 7/12 on 50+
Very powerful leg. Hit one from 58 yards and looks like he could easily get them from 60+. While the prospects from Florida are going to get more attention, I think that there’s something to be said about a good kicker who plays in a city like Pittsburgh, where they get real football weather.
Caden Davis, Ole Miss- 6’2” 210
Stats 2024- 57/59(96.6%) on XP’s 24/29(82.8%) on FG’s, 2/4 from 50+
Career- 109/111(98.2%) on XP’s 42/52(80.7%) on FG’s, 4/9 from 50+
Powerful leg, but clearly the least accurate of the group. His career long is from 57.
Punt returners:
If Kicker is a major need for Washington, so is returner. While Washington has done okay on kick returns, their punt return game has been bad for years now. I mentioned in my wide receivers breakdown how I really liked Jaylin Lane from Virginia Tech as a prospect because of his punt returning ability. However, several players in this draft class are experienced returners. You can go back and look at their position group breakdowns before here to get more details. To me, Lane is my top pick for that gig.
WR, Jaylin Lane, Virginia Tech. 68 returns for 10.6 yards per return, and 2 TDs.
Lane has by far the most experience of this group, and I think would be the best value with how he can help as a receiver. While I really like him as a prospect, I worry Washington won’t have enough draft picks to grab Lane, he’s projected as 4th-round pick.
CB, Alijah Huzzie, North Carolina. 36 returns, for 12.6 yards per return, and 2 TDs.
Good speed. If Washington can’t get Lane I wouldn’t mind them taking Huzzie in the 7th round. He would probably never be much more than a 4th CB, but if the 4th CB can be a reliable punt returner, it’s worthwhile.
WR Tory Horton- Colorado State, 26 returns, for 16.4 yards per return and 3 TDs.
Really impressive statistically, but has a weird running style on returns. Like Lane, he’s likely to be drafted in the 4th or 5th round.
Quarterbacks:
Okay, okay, now that we have the positions of need out of the way, let’s talk quarterbacks. For the first time in well over a decade, Washington has no need or desire to take a quarterback. The team has its young star and a quality number two mentoring him, and even have multiple good options for a 3rd string QB. It’s a good thing, too. This quarterback class isn’t anywhere close to last year’s draft class. With that said, there will always be one or two players each year who defy expectations and end up quality starters in the league. There are a few quarterbacks in this class who I think, if put in the right situation, could eventually develop into starters.
This class has a bit of everything in it. There are some fun athletic types who can make big plays with their legs, like Riley Leonard, and some impressive pocket passers, such as Ewers and McCord and Sanders.
Cam Ward, Miami- 6’2” 219
2024 Stats: 305/454(67.2%), 4313 yds, 39 tds, 7 ints. Career Avg: 66%, 296 ypg.
Projected: Top 5 pick. Seems like a lock to be the number one pick overall, going to the Titans. I watched a lot of Ward while watching the receivers in this class, and he had a few good receivers. I really liked Restrepo, and the two connected for a bunch of deep plays. Ward is an excellent prospect with the mobility and improvisational skills you need in the modern NFL. He’s a compact runner when he takes off with the ball. Overall, he fits that mold that every team is coveting now.
Jackson Dart, Ole Miss- 6’2” 225
2024 Stats: 276/398(69.3%), 4279 yds, 29 tds, 6 ints Career Avg: 65%, 266 ypg
Projected mid to late 1st round. I’ve seen a lot of talk that if he falls to the late 1st round it could be a prime guy teams look to trade up to get, and Washington is in the perfect location as a trade partner. If a team is willing to swap into the high 2nd and throw in a future 1st or 2nd, do you make that move? Personally I like him more than Sanders. He’s more athletic and a more well rounded as a passer too, from what I can tell. Also, Dart has the most playing time under his belt when compared to the other two 1st round projected quarterbacks. We saw how that was a positive for many of last year’s quarterback prospects once they got on the field. I am guessing the NFL starts going back towards that trend of valuing experience, something they have gotten away from too much, in my opinion.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado- 6’2” 212
2024 Stats: 353/477 (74%), 4134 yds, 37 tds, 10 ints Career Avg: 64%, 307 ypg
Projected top 10 pick. Being the son of a celebrity player like Deion hurt this kid more than it helped him. While some people talk about quarterbacks not being mobile, Sanders is a throwback in how much he doesn’t run. Do you know how rare it is to find a college quarterback in the modern era with negative rushing yards? Sanders has 211 runs for -127 yards on his college career. Granted, college football counts sack yards as a rushing stat, and his 92 sacks are part of that 211 run total in his 2 years at Colorado. I think in the end, Sanders will go way higher than he should. A guy like this would have to be put in the right style system to be successful, I wouldn’t see him working in New York’s system, for example; he needs to be with a team that commits to protecting him first and foremost.
Will Howard, Ohio State- 6’4” 236
2024 Stats: 309/423 (73%), 4010 yds, 35 tds, 10 ints. Career Avg: 63.8%, 195.92ypg
Projected top 100 pick. Has that prototypical quarterback look with his size. I like the quick release. A willing runner, but in the NFL I think he has enough to get out of the pocket, not break “big run” speed. Statistically, it is interesting to look at his completion percentage improved every year, as one would expect his first few years at Kansas State, from 53.6%, to 54.5%, 59.9%, 61.3%. He then went to Ohio State and it took a huge jump to 73% last year. Most his other numbers improved similarly. You have to wonder if it was great coaching that just helped him put it all together, or just being surrounded by elite talent. One thing I am always looking at with quarterbacks is whether they have a sense of rhythm in their play, and he looks like he has that. You can tell by watching his feet when he’s dropping back, he’s on his toes, and has good footwork. He could be an interesting developmental prospect who ends up a starter in a few seasons if a team gave him the right coaching staff.
Quinn Ewers, Texas- 6’2” 214
2024 Stats: 293/445 (65.8%), 3472 yds, 31 tds, 12 ints. Career Avg: 64.9%, 246 ypg
Projected top 100 pick. If I were an NFL team looking with an older vet QB, but was looking for a kid to develop for a few years to eventually take over, this would be a decent prospect. I don’t like him quite as much as Will Howard, but they are close in that respect. Ewers stays in the pocket for the most part, will make those small moves to the side or step up to avoid a rush, but won’t escape the pocket. Didn’t have the best senior year when it came to turnovers. Since he played in the pocket, he was sacked 31 times in his final season.
Kyle McCord, Syracuse- 6’3” 218
2024 Stats: 391/592(66%), 4779 yds, 34 tds, 12 ints. Career Avg: 66.2%, 231 ypg
Projected 4th-7th round pick. Another pocket QB, but was sacked 27 times his senior year. Transferred from Ohio State to Syracuse in his senior year. McCord was incredibly productive numbers-wise, and any time I see that, I wonder how it translates to the NFL. Similar to Ewers, he’s going to be limited to playing in the pocket, but in this case, I think he’s a career backup.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon- 5’11” 205
2024 Stats: 326/447(72.9%), 3857 yds, 30 tds, 6 ints. Career Avg: 65.2%, 292 ypg
Projected anywhere from the 3rd-7th round. Had 6 years in college and has played in 64 games, at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon. With all that playing time he’s thrown for an insane 18,722 yards in his college career 2nd all time behind former Redskin Case Keenum (HEY REMEMBER THAT NONSENSE?). I don’t think he has an NFL caliber arm in deep balls. It’s not awful, but just average. His draft prospects are probably hurt by his height, and that he’s a lefty. He could make a perfect backup for Tua because of the left handed thing. He has good mobility.
Riley Leonard, Notre Dame-6’4” 216
2024 Stats: 269/403(66.7%), 2861 yds, 21 tds, 8 ints. Career Avg: 63.7%, 170 ypg
Projected anywhere from the 3rd-7th round. The guy can run. He had 906 rushing yards his senior year and 2,130 over 4 season, and he’s probably more impressive running than passing. Since he will likely be a backup in the NFL, I’ll say that the way you make a kid like this successful when he’s on the field is to require a lot of play action and RPO in the play calling.
Tyler Shough, Louisville- 6’5” 219
2024 Stats: 244/389(62.7%), 3195 yds, 23 tds, 6 ints. Career Avg: 63%, 186 ypg
Projected 2nd-4rd round pick. If you like tall pocket quarterbacks who can throw the long ball, this is gonna be your guy. Yes there are other pocket quarterbacks in this class, quite a bunch, but it’s amazing what an extra 3 inches can give a guy, when it comes to seeing the field. I don’t think he put up the numbers you need to in order to be drafted as high as some places project him, 7 years in college and only got to start 12 games his final season.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama- 6’2” 217
2024 Stats: 205/319 (64.3%), 2844 yds, 16 tds, 11 ints. Career Avg: 64.3%, 158 ypg
Projected 2nd to 3rd round pick. Some sites have him fairly highly ranked in this 2nd crop of quarterbacks. I don’t see it. He feels more like a career backup in the NFL, and I look forward to seeing him in the UFL after his rookie contract expires in the big boy league. He looks like a one read guy. He’s excellent on designed runs and ran for 726 yards last year, 1577 in his career.
The remaining quarterbacks mostly look like 7th-round picks or will go undrafted.
Brady Cook, Missouri- 6’2” 214
2024 Stats: 201/321(62.6%), 2535 yds, 11 tds, 2 ints Career Avg: 65.9%, 197ypg
Graham Mertz, Florida- 6’3” 212
2024 Stats: 72/94(76.6%), 791 yds, 6 tds, 2 ints Career Avg: 64.7%, 182ypg
Seth Henigan, Memphis- 6’3” 215
2024 Stats: 309/477(64.8%), 3502 yds, 25 tds, 6 ints Career Avg: 64%, 285 ypg
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana- 6’4” 220
2024 Stats: 222/320 (69.4%), 3042 yds, 29 tds, 5 ints Career Avg: 67%, 223 ypg
Max Brosmer, Minnesota-6’2” 217
2024 Stats: 268/403(66.5%), 2828 yds, 18 tds, 6 ints Career Avg: 66.5%, 217.5ypg
Will Rogers, Washington- 6’2” 216
2024 Stats: 220/311(70.7%), 2458yds, 14tds, 7 ints Career Avg: 69.5%, 274 ypg
DJ Uiagalelei, Fl State- 6’4” 252
2024 Stats: 84/156 (53.8%), 1065 yds, 4 tds, 6 ints Career Avg: 58.5%, 177 ypg
Punters:
Washington has no dire need for a punter, as the GOAT probably has another 3-5 years of play in him. Only two punters participated in the combine.
Jeremy Crawshaw- Florida, 6’4” 198
2024: 59 Punts, average 45.7 yards per punt, 6.78% touchback 42.37% inside the 20
James Burnip- Alabama, 6’6” 235
2024: 48 Punts, average 39.1 yards per punt, 7.69% touchback 36.54% inside the 20
Between these two punters, Crawshaw is clearly the better of the two punters, that touchback to inside 20 percentage is good. It’s not just about yardage at punter but ball placement.
Long Snappers:
Washington seems to have settled on their long snapper and will stick with “Mr. Wicked Smart” Tyler Ott. I hope that’s the case. it’s one thing to be searching for a kicker, but if a front office and staff can’t find a decent long snapper that they trust, you have to question everything they’re doing.
No long snappers were invited to the NFL combine this year. Based on the few websites that actually even rank long snappers in the draft here are the top guys from what I can find online. Unlike Steve I’m not going to call long snapping coaches for skinny.
William Wagner- Michigan, 6’2”, 255
Bailey Parsons- Stanford 6’2”, 238