NFL Draft
3/26/25
7 min read
2025 NFL Draft: Sleeper Quarterback Propsects Who Could Be Starters
Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders may be getting most of the attention, but there are a handful of Day 2 and Day 3 quarterbacks who have enough potential to become NFL starting quarterbacks one day.
Other quarterbacks continue to climb up draft boards, including the likes of Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, and even Tyler Shough out of Louisville. There's a legitimate chance that a couple, or even all, of these quarterback prospects go in the first round.
However, there are a handful of quarterback prospects who will likely go in the later rounds and could blossom into starting quarterbacks one day. Let's take a look at some of the most likely candidates.
2025 NFL Draft sleeper quarterbacks
Will Howard, Ohio State 
It's rare to find a quarterback with Will Howard's size, mobility, and championship experience, but one team could be getting a real steal in the Ohio State quarterback.
After transferring from Kansas State, Howard looked like a much more polished passer with the Buckeyes. It doesn't hurt to throw to elite stars at receiver, but Howard still showed an impressive ability to layer throws into tight windows and hit receivers in stride on deep shots to consistently generate explosive plays
On top of the ability to push the ball in the intermediate and deep areas of the field, Howard could also be utilized as a runner on designed plays or to avoid pressure because of his 6-foot-4, 236-pound frame and above-average athletic ability. He generated 13 runs of at least 10 yards this past season and had a very respectable pressure-to-sack ratio of just 13.0 percent.
That's a very unique skill set for a quarterback prospect, on top of being a national champion.
His play style and skill set most closely resemble those of someone like Jalen Hurts, and while there's still a lot for Howard to clean up as a passer, especially with his mechanics, there's a legitimate path to him being an effective starting quarterback.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Smaller quarterbacks don't always succeed in the NFL, but there are a handful of exceptions. Kyler Murray is one that quickly comes to mind, but for a prospect like Dillon Gabriel, there's a pathway for him to be a left-handed version of someone more like Russell Wilson.
Gabriel played 64 college games for UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon before finally graduating and going pro. Despite playing for three different schools in different offensive schemes, his production stayed relatively the same, with a career touchdown rate of 7.3 percent and just a 1.5 percent interception rate.
While Gabriel measured in at just 5-foot-11 at the combine, his track record shows a player who is a proven and efficient passer with some off-script ability thanks to his athleticism. His arm talent also continuously flies under the radar, as he posted a 131.9 NFL passer rating on throws 20-plus yards downfield, completing 27-of-48 passes for 960 yards, eight touchdowns, and just one INT.
It takes a lot of arm to get this ball out there 48-49 yards from the far hash pic.twitter.com/iVFC060mHk
— Steve Palazzolo (@StevePalazzolo_) March 23, 2025
Despite his smaller stature, Gabriel isn't afraid as a runner, either, averaging 2.50 yards after contact per rushing attempt in 2024. He's a compact runner who can roll out of the pocket to extend plays or take off downfield, opening up the playbook for offensive coordinators.
Age and size will be knocks against Gabriel, but his experience and talent could allow him to slot into a starting role down the road.
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
If you want a deep sleeper in this year's draft, then Kurtis Rourke is a guy who could be stashed on a roster before finding himself as a starter down the road.
Originally from Canada, Rourke's only FBS offer was Ohio, where his older brother had played. A few years into his career with the Bobcats, he fought his way into becoming a full-time starter. Then, in 2022, he had a breakout year, winning MAC MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.
Rourke transferred to Indiana before the 2024 season, and despite re-tearing his ACL during the season, he finished out the year to take the Hoosiers to their first 11-win season in program history and a College Football Playoff berth.
Unlike others on this list, Rourke is a statue of a pro-style quarterback with limited mobility. However, he also has the kind of build you'd want from that kind of quarterback, coming in at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. That size, along with his arm talent, allows him to carve up defenses at the second level, posting a 133.7 passer rating on throws 10-19 yards downfield with 11.5 yards per attempt, 13 touchdowns, and just two interceptions.
What also stands out with Rourke is his toughness. On top of gutting out an entire year on a torn ACL, the Indiana prospect also shows fearlessness in the face of pressure or extra rushers. This throw against Michigan is a great example of that.
I can NOT get over this throw🔥
— awthentik (@awthentik) March 9, 2025
Kurtis Rourke is a sleeper project prospect#NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/TS34YyVD7r
Rourke may not be a favorite for every NFL team, especially ones looking for dual-threat ability out of their quarterbacks. However, in the right offensive system, Rourke could be a legitimate backup with the ability to fill in or even steal a starting spot from someone when fully healthy.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
There might not be a more divisive QB prospect in this year's draft than Quinn Ewers. However, when the Texas prospect is playing his best football, he has starting-caliber quarterback written all over him.
Ewers has been a highly-touted quarterback for years, coming into college as the No. 1 recruit in the 2021 high school class. He originally went to Ohio State before transferring to Texas, where he showed flashes but was never able to become a Heisman-caliber playmaker.
Still, the flashes on film show a very exciting player. The arm talent and off-script ability are there, as is the touch to drop passes into a tight-window bucket on deep shots. There are also some examples of throwing with excellent anticipation, getting the ball out before receivers even get out of their breaks. He's also an off-script playmaker capable of throwing on the move and from different arm slots.
#Texas QB Quinn Ewers. 6’2, 214.
— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) March 25, 2025
Best two games of his ‘24 campaign.
Good pocket mobility + throws on the run pre-injury vs. Michigan. Went on a heater late in the 4th/OT against Arizona State w/ ball placement and some tough runs. pic.twitter.com/2zqFcmOc1s
Still, there's so much about Ewers' game that is frustrating. He can make the simple look hard at times, and his pocket awareness can be really frustrating when he struggles to avoid easy sacks.
Despite those concerns, there's real talent with Ewers, and the right coach willing to be patient with him and potentially stash him behind a veteran could be getting a player who could develop into a long-term starter on their hands.
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