NFL Scout: Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward Would Rank Similarly to Bo Nix Among 2024 QBs

As Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward prepare to go through the pre-draft process so teams can determine who the best quarterback in the 2025 class is, at least one NFL scout suggested they might not have made the top five in last year's draft.

A national scout told ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi that both Sanders and Ward would have similar rankings to Bo Nix from the 2024 draft.

"The top guys in this class wouldn't be in the top three from last year's crop, in my opinion," that scout said. "Good debate on if they would be in the top five actually."

This seems to be a consensus opinion developing throughout the league. A general manager for an AFC team told The Athletic's Dianna Russini last month he would "definitely" have ranked Sanders and Ward behind Nix.

"I could see people grouping [Michael Penix], Ward and Sanders together, but honestly, it'd probably just come down to picking your favorite flavor among the three. None of them really scream 'franchise QB' to me," the GM said.

Nix was the sixth quarterback off the board last year, taken at No. 12 overall by the Denver Broncos. There's no debate the 2025 quarterback class isn't nearly as strong at the top.

This isn't to suggest that there aren't things to like about Sanders and Ward as prospects. B/R's NFL scouting department has Ward ranked as the top quarterback and No. 6 overall prospect; Sanders is the No. 16 overall player.

One thing that figures to benefit both players in this draft is there's not a lot of high-quality depth behind them. Jalen Milroe is the third-ranked quarterback, but he's No. 42 overall on the big board.

There are also teams picking at or near the top of the draft that need a quarterback and won't risk passing up on either one if they are available. The list of clubs that could take a signal-caller includes the Tennessee Titans (No. 1), Cleveland Browns (No. 2), New York Giants (No. 3), Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6) and New York Jets (No. 7).

Being compared to Nix isn't necessarily a bad thing. The 24-year-old wasn't regarded as the best prospect in a deep quarterback class, but he landed in a good situation with the Denver Broncos and helped lead them to the playoffs as a rookie.