Bucs Draft 2025 Preview + Bucs Best Bets: QB

Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2025 NFL Draft with its position previews. Scott Reynolds starts the previews with the quarterback position, offering a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need at quarterback.

Matt Matera then analyzes a detailed list of this year’s top quarterback prospects while Reynolds provides the annual Pewter Report Bucs Best Bets – the most likely quarterback for the Bucs to select in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Quarterback

Tampa Bay has one of the best starting quarterbacks in the NFL in Baker Mayfield, a two-time Pro Bowler. Mayfield had his best season last year and set highs in completion percentage (71.4%), passing yards (4,500) and passing touchdowns (41). Mayfield’s passing TDs were the second-most in franchise history behind Tom Brady’s 43 in 2021.

Mayfield turns 30 on April 14 and still has two more years left on his three-year contract. At $33.3 million per year, Mayfield is one of the best values in the NFL in terms of quarterback salary. Not only that but Mayfield is a team captain and the heartbeat of the team with his enthusiastic playing style and the energy he brings to the huddle.

The Bucs have two young quarterbacks backing Mayfield up in Kyle Trask and Michael Pratt. Trask was the team’s second-round pick in 2021 following Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV victory. He was just re-signed to a cheap, one-year deal because he hardly has any playing experience after backing up Brady and Mayfield over the past four years. Neither starting quarterback missed a snap during Trask’s first contract.

Pratt is a quarterback the Bucs almost drafted in the seventh round a year ago but were fortunate enough to sign him after he was released by the Packers in the final roster cutdown. He ran Tampa Bay’s scout team last year and served as the opposing team’s quarterback in practice, but will have the opportunity to run the Bucs offense this offseason. Pratt has moxie, mobility and a good arm, and the team liked the fact he was 21-3 in his last two years at Tulane.

What The Bucs Need At Quarterback

Because the Bucs have a great starter and two young, developing backup quarterbacks, it is highly unlikely that Tampa Bay will draft a quarterback this year. If the team does add it quarterback it would be in the seventh round to add an additional training camp arm and someone who can challenge Kyle Trask and Michael Pratt for the backup job. But more likely, the Bucs will sign an undrafted free agent QB if offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard wants a fourth arm in camp.

Top Quarterbacks In 2025 NFL Draft

*Important Note: These players are NOT listed in the order of Pewter Report’s ranking for them. Rather, the numbers are provided to show you the rough order in which we expect them to come off the board during the draft.

1. Miami QB Cam Ward – RS Senior – 6-2, 219, N/A

Ward is considered the top quarterback in this year’s draft class and could potentially be the only quarterback taken in the first round depending on how it goes. He’s had a decorated and well traveled career starting at Incarnate Word for two seasons, then playing at Washington State for another two, followed by a pretty memorable year at Miami with the Hurricanes.

Ward, who will likely go No. 1 overall to Tennessee, can throw the ball with ease and with a ton of heat behind it. He gives a calm, cool and collected presence in the pocket. His mobility within the pocket is incredible as well, but he has to make sure he doesn’t play hero ball too much. Ward was the ACC Offensive Player of the Year at Miami where he threw for 4,313 yards and 37 touchdowns to just seven interceptions while also rushing for four touchdowns. He was a Heisman finalist last season.

2. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders – Senior – 6-1, 212 – N/A

There’s no doubt about it that Sanders is the most well known and highly publicized quarterback in this year’s draft class. He is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who coached Shedeur in high school football in Texas then at Jackson State and Colorado. He threw for 70 touchdowns in two years at Jackson State, setting the school record. He then transferred to Colorado help the Buffaloes to some of their best seasons in years, throwing for 7,364 yards and 64 touchdowns. Sanders was first-team All-Big 12 last season.

Sanders is a very polished quarterback that knows how to operate an offense and understand where the ball has to go to on a particular play. He throws well on the run and is able to lead his receivers in proper spots. There could be a little more speed on the throws that he delivers, plus a bit more direct line throws than arcs. While he’s mobile, Sanders isn’t that explosive of a runner and tends to panic in the pocket. He has a great deal of confidence like his dad. It’ll be intriguing to see where he goes in this draft, as he could go in the Top 10 or fall out of the first round completely.

3. Ole Miss QB Jaxon Dart – Senior – 6-2, 221 – N/A

Beginning his career with USC, Dart transferred to Ole Miss and was the starting quarterback for some high-powered offenses under Lane Kiffin. Dart was given a lot of credit for his leadership ability along with his on-field success. While he got better each year, his 2024 season was his best with a completion percentage of 69.3% while throwing for 4,279 yards and 26 touchdowns. He led all of the SEC in passing yards last year.

Dart can make throws to the outside and isn’t afraid to take a deep shot. His throws are typically well received by those catching it, making for a player that others want to work with. He can use his legs to his advantage, having 1,543 career rushing yards with 14 touchdowns. One problem that Dart could face at the next level is coming from an RPO-style of offense that relies a lot on timing and deception to beat a defense. He’ll have to get accustomed to working within an NFL offensive system. Dart could go in the first round or on Day 2.

4. Louisville QB Tyler Shough – RS Senior – 6-5, 219 – 4.63

It’s not often that you see a quarterback spend seven years at the collegiate level – and all at power five programs – but that that’s the route that Tyler Shough has taken. He played 15 career games at Oregon in three seasons, another 15 games in three seasons at Texas Tech and then one season at Louisville, where he had the best year of his career.

Shough had 3,195 passing yards and 23 touchdowns for the Cardinals. He has great size for a quarterback and can absolutely put some spin on the ball with ease. He’s relatively inexperienced, though, with just one full season of starting, and needs become quicker at reading and diagnosing plays. Shough’s accuracy should make teams interested as a possible Day 2 pick.

5. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe – RS Junior – 6-2, 216 – 4.40

There’s a lot of big-game experience that comes from Milroe playing at Alabama. He’s likely the best runner out of all the quarterbacks in this group with his speed and understanding of when to run and escape the pocket. Milroe initally backed up Bryce Young and then became a starter for the last two seasons, getting the Crimson Tide to the Rose Bowl in the 2023 season.

Milroe has a lot work to do as an overall passer. He’s not accurate with the football and often goes to his first read without manipulating defenders with his eyes that might be spying on him. There’s no denying his athleticism, though. Milroe had 726 rushing yards during the 2024 season with a whopping 20 rushing touchdowns. But he did have a passing touchdown-to-interception disparagement of just 16 to 11. He’s as exciting as they come at quarterback and can do a lot of damage if he becomes a much better passer. Milroe is likely a Day 3 draft prospect.

6. Texas QB Quinn Ewers – RS Junior – 6-2, 214 – N/A

Starting for three years at Texas for the Longhorns, Ewers has seen a lot of football and won a great deal of games. There aren’t many better than Ewers when it comes to finding the right kind of touch pass on 10-15 yards. He also knows how to read defenses and make sures to get rid of the ball when the pressure comes.

Ewers is not much of a running threat at all. He also tends to fold under pressure when the pocket collapses without anywhere to go. But when he has time, he can make the throws. Ewers threw for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns in his Texas career.

7. Ohio State QB Will Howard – RS Senior – 6-4, 236

Howard is coming off of a national championship with Ohio State. Before that, he spent four seasons at Kansas State and really hit his stride with the Wildcats during the 2022 season where he took over as the starting quarterback half way through the season and led the Wildcats to the Big XII Championship. He became the team captain in 2023,while throwing for 2,643 yards, 24 touchdowns as well as having nine rushing scores.

Because he had an extra year of eligibility, Howard transferred over to the Buckeyes and had careers bests across the board. That included 4,010 passing yards and 35 touchdowns as Ohio State won the national championship where he was tabbed as the Offensive MVP. Howard has great size for the NFL and has very good athleticism. He’ll extend plays and isn’t afraid to make big throws downfield. Howard, a mid-round draft prospect, did have fumbling issues and could clean up his technique in several areas.

8. Syracuse QB Kyle McCord – Senior – 6-3, 218 – N/A

After three seasons at Ohio State, McCord really found his footing with Syracuse and played his best football with the Orange. McCord knows how to make the pre-snap reads and adjust plays at the line accordingly – something that every NFL quarterback needs to learn how to do. He has excellent mechanics and gets rid of the football quickly from the pocket.

While other quarterbacks struggle throwing it deep, McCord thrives at it. There’s not much explosiveness with him as a runner, and he also gets too aggressive at times and takes unnecessary risks with the football. McCord’s Syracuse career saw him throw for 4,779 passing yards, which is an ACC single-season record along with 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He was second team All-ACC last season.

9. Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard – Senior – 6-4, 216 – N/A

Leonard is a gamer that can always keep him team in it. He tends to do so with his legs and just somehow always finds ways to keep drives going to reach the first down with some timely scrambles. Leonard, who needs to perform better as a pocket passer, played three seasons at Duke and his last year was at Notre Dame where they made it to the national championship but fell short to Ohio State.

In his career, Leonard threw for 7,311 for 45 touchdowns and 18 interceptions along with 2,130 rushing yards and 36 rushing touchdowns. He can make throws to the sideline, but doesn’t have a great deep ball and takes too much time to get rid of the ball.

10. Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel – RS Senior – 5-11, 205 – N/A

Size is always going to be an issue for Gabriel, but he has great awareness as a quarterback. The lefty thrower gets the ball out quickly and knows who to go to with it. He’s cool under pressure and is always keeping his eyes down field. Gabriel’s mobility will always keep drives going.

Gabriel is a much decorated quarterback as well. He began his career at UCF and also played at Oklahoma before transferring to Oregon last year. He put up great numbers in six seasons over 64 games with 18, 722 passing yards, 155 touchdowns, 1,209 rushing yards and 33 rushing touchdowns. In his finals season Gabriel was a first-team All-American and a Heisman finalist, closing the book his college career in grand fashion.

11. Missouri QB Brady Cook – RS Senior – 6-2, 214 – 4.59

Having an NFL-caliber type of arm, Cook just isn’t as consistent as one would want him to be. He has good athleticism that lets him move around in the pocket and continue plays. Cook has the right mechanics that teams want in a quarterback, it’s just about putting it all together. Cook had a disappointing final season after a promising 2023 campaign.

In his career at Mizzou he played in five seasons and started in 39 of 46 games. He threw for 9,008 yards, 49 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. When he ran the ball, Cook recorded 1,209 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. H was a team captain for three seasons.

12. Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke – RS Senior – 6-4, 220 – N/A

Starting his career for Ohio in the MAC conference, Rourke played five seasons and really hit his stride in 2022 and 2023 where he was first-team All-MAC and second team All-MAC along with being a team captain for three seasons. He tore his ACL near the of the 2022 season but was still able to return for 2023 and play well. He had an extra year of eligibility because of the COVID season and transferred to Indiana, getting the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff.

In 2024 Rourke had 3,042 passing yards and 29 passing touchdowns, making second team All-Big Ten. Rourke has some juice on the ball when he throws and it’s not too difficult for him to really spin the ball with his quick release. He’s also not afraid to throw into tight windows. Indiana’s offense didn’t ask him to do too much, so there are questions about him going through progressions and beating defenses in different ways. It would help his case if he could also throw more consistently.

Best Of The Rest:

13. North Dakota State QB Cam Miller – RS Senior – 6-1, 215 – 4.82

A good decision maker, Miller is a balanced quarterback. He can place the ball well for receivers to make the catch and keep going. He’s undersized and doesn’t have the mobility to make up for it. Miller’s arm strength isn’t exactly where it needs to be either. He’ll make the right plays, but needs some assistance in doing so.

14. Memphis QB Seth Henigan – Senior – 6-3, 215 – 4.76

Starting for four straight years at Memphis, Henigan is well versed at the position. He’s got NFL size and the necessary accuracy to play at the highest level. Pocket presence isn’t an issue either. It’s arm strength that may hurt him and his ability to get drafted, and his willingness to go deep with the ball to push the offense. If he finds the right offense, he can help out a team that is looking for a reliable player.

15. Minnesota QB Max Brosmer  – RS Senior – 6-2, 218, 4.79

Brosmer spent five years and played four seasons at New Hampshire before transferring to Minnesota. He’s excellent in breaking down plays as they’re developing and making intermediate throws. Brosmer struggles with pressure coming at him and is not mobile enough due to injuries he’s had throughout his career. He’s been given a lot of credit for his work ethic and just wants to the best he can be.

Bucs Best Bets – By Scott Reynolds

Rounds 1-3: Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel

The Bucs aren’t going to draft a quarterback this year – certainly not one before Day 3. And with Kyle Trask back for a fifth season in Tampa Bay along with Michael Pratt getting the chance to show what he can do in the Bucs offense after spending last year on the practice squad and operating the scout team, it’s doubtful the team drafts a QB in any round. But the Bucs did have an informal meeting with former UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The left-handed quarterback tied the NCAA record for career TD passes with 155 and his 179 total scores set a new record in college football. Dillon avoids mistakes, evidenced by his 32 career interceptions in six years in college. At 5-foot-11, 205 pounds, Dillon has a Baker Mayfield-esque frame, and he should be a mid-round pick. Will it be in Tampa Bay? It’s doubtful given the team’s needs on defense, but Gabriel is a gamer and would be a terrific understudy behind Mayfield.

Rounds 4-7: Texas State QB Jordan McCloud

Tampa Bay might want to add another talented quarterback to the mix given the lack of playing time Kyle Trask has had in the regular season and Michael Pratt’s unproven nature in the Bucs offense. The team has shown some interest in McCloud, a former USF QB and Tampa native at his Texas State pro day. After two years at USF, McCloud transferred to Arizona and sat out the 2022 season before starting at James Madison in 2023 where the completed 68.2% of his passes for 3,657 yards with 35 TDs and 10 interceptions.

Last year, McCloud moved on to Texas State where he completed 70.2% of his passes for 3,227 yards with 30 TDs and 13 INTs. Known more as a pocket passer than a scrambler, the 6-foot, 200-pound McCloud did rush for 20 touchdowns in his five years playing QB, including 15 over the last two seasons. McCloud will likely go undrafted, but don’t be surprised if he winds up returns home and winds up as an undrafted free agent signing in Tampa Bay.