Can Shedeur Sanders thrive with Browns? Ranking 7 drafted QBs by who’s most likely to succeed

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The 2025 crop of quarterbacks was not the most heralded group in NFL Draft history, and it surely unfolded as advertised.

Cam Ward was the Tennessee Titans’ obvious choice for the No. 1 pick, but the QBs were essentially bit pieces from there. Jaxson Dart was the only other first-round selection, with Tyler Shough as the standalone second-rounder and Jalen Milroe and Dillon Gabriel rounding out the quartet of Friday night selections.

Shedeur Sanders, you may have heard, was the sixth QB off the board and the 144th player taken. Last year, by comparison, six quarterbacks were gone in the first dozen picks.

It’s more than plausible the NFL will be proven right with these quarterbacks, as they’ll have to greatly exceed expectations to graduate from their initial backup roles. Let’s examine the seven quarterbacks who were just drafted with the best chance to succeed in the league.

1. Cam Ward, Titans

Why Ward can succeed

Ward has a massive arm, a natural ability to lead a locker room and a relentless drive to prove himself that stems from getting overlooked as a high schooler. He was incredibly productive at Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami, where Ward established himself as a household name and the easy QB1 in the class.

The Titans fell in love with Ward. Their new regime, including general manager Mike Borgonzi and assistant GM Dave Ziegler, understands the importance of surrounding quarterbacks with the talent and tools to help them succeed. Organizational support is paramount to QB success.

Ward can make every throw. He’s a smart, well-rounded player with a high football IQ and work ethic. He can scramble, make off-platform throws and maneuver his arm angles to pass with accuracy while extending plays. There’s a lot to like about his toolset.

Why Ward can fail

He was guilty of playing hero ball at Miami, although his coaches took the fault for that. But if those traits continue as a rookie as Ward takes over a team that just had the worst record in the league, it’s going to be a bumpy start.

And quite frankly, the Titans’ new regime still has to prove itself. Head coach Brian Callahan helped Joe Burrow’s development with the Cincinnati Bengals, but Will Levis and the offense endured a lot of issues in 2024.

There’s work to do in Tennessee.

2. Jalen Milroe, Seahawks

Why Milroe can succeed

A couple of months ago, one personnel executive said Milroe’s best performances — particularly his performance against Georgia — were representative of a player who could be the top pick in the draft. Of course, those performances didn’t happen consistently enough, which led to Milroe sliding into the third round.

But Milroe seemed destined to be a Seahawks draft pick. They’re absolutely perfect for each other, and the Seahawks will have a plan to use the former Alabama star.

They want to deploy a run-heavy team and can use Milroe’s electric athleticism as an extension of that. Obviously, Sam Darnold was signed to start for the foreseeable future, but the Seahawks will have packages in place for Milroe if needed.

The Seahawks have been working to build up their offensive line and backfield, and coach Mike Macdonald’s defense should take another step forward. This team doesn’t expect its quarterback to do it all, which is good news for a young player. If Darnold’s success with the Minnesota Vikings doesn’t translate, his contract won’t prohibit the Seahawks from shifting to Milroe as they prepare for 2026.

Why Milroe can fail

If Darnold does play well and stays healthy, Milroe may never see the field in Seattle. Milroe also needs to drastically improve as a passer, and he can’t be shy to show off his running ability, which is an element where he’s improved quite a bit over the past year or so.

Milroe is more of a developmental prospect, which is tough in an overly competitive NFC West. Darnold will be given every opportunity to help the Seahawks try to compete for a division title.

3. Jaxson Dart, Giants

Why Dart can succeed

Coach Brian Daboll aided Josh Allen’s development with the Buffalo Bills and got decent play out of Daniel Jones for a season before it fell apart, so he does have a track record of offensive success.

Dart throws a good ball, and his athleticism and competitiveness pop in the run game, where Daboll can use him on designer plays. Dart’s a willing leader and has been a coveted prospect for years, so the former USC and Ole Miss standout should be comfortable with the pressure that comes with playing QB in New York.

The Giants have a nice group of skill players, too, with receivers Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton, along with running backs Tyrone Tracy Jr. and rookie Cam Skattebo.

Why Dart can fail

This is a pressure-packed season for the Giants, as Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen have to deliver results in 2025 to keep their jobs. That’s a level of urgency that can be felt throughout the organization, and the fans’ impatience became a major storyline last season.

The Giants are planning to start Russell Wilson, which will shield Dart from any undue urgency to perform right away. But what if the losses mount early, and the Giants are forced to shift to Dart?

And if the Giants don’t get results and change coaches a year from now, Dart will be starting over in a new system. Beyond that, the next regime (in this hypothetical scenario) could prefer another QB, causing Dart to flounder on the depth chart.

A lot may have to go right for Dart to get on the field in the near future.

4. Tyler Shough, Saints

Why Shough can succeed

The 6-foot-4, 219-pounder has ideal size and arm strength. Shough, who turns 26 in September, is also mature and ready to start, which is important given the uncertainty over Derek Carr’s shoulder injury.

Aside from Ward, Shough has the clearest path to start as a rookie because of Carr’s situation. One way or another, Shough should have an early opportunity to show what he can do for offensive-minded head coach Kellen Moore.

Why Shough can fail

The Saints aren’t exactly set up for offensive success. They floundered under coach Dennis Allen and couldn’t make it work with either of his coordinators, and they’re changing play callers once again.

Because Shough was a second-round pick, the Saints aren’t really obligated to stick with him beyond 2025. There’s an exciting crop of quarterbacks coming in 2026, so the Saints could turn to someone with a higher ceiling if they’re in a good spot to draft one.

Shough, who has a lengthy injury history, must stay healthy enough to give himself a chance to win over the Saints’ brass.

5. Will Howard, Steelers

Why Howard can succeed

Howard played his best ball in the College Football Playoff to lead Ohio State to the national championship, so he’s got the requisite moxie to play for a proud Steelers franchise against a grueling AFC North schedule.

At 6-foot-4 and 236 pounds, Howard also has plus size to play in that tough division. The Steelers want to run the ball and play strong defense, taking as much off their quarterback’s shoulders as possible. With wideout DK Metcalf, tight end Pat Freiermuth and receiver George Pickens (until/unless he’s traded), Howard will have weapons, and the offensive line has improved.

Howard has been highly regarded for years. After leaving Kansas State, there were people on Miami’s staff who wanted Howard in the transfer portal if they couldn’t land Ward.

The Steelers still sound optimistic Aaron Rodgers will jump on board, so Howard should have time to sit and learn.

Why Howard can fail

While Howard was great down the stretch, he was playing on easy mode for the most talented team in the nation. It’s not always clear how much credit a college quarterback deserves under those circumstances.

Spinning it forward, there’s no telling when or if Howard will see the field because no one can predict how much longer Rodgers will play. Plus, the Steelers could draft another quarterback in 2026 to stifle Howard’s path to the lineup.

6. Shedeur Sanders, Browns

Why Sanders can succeed

After what happened this weekend, Sanders should be motivated to prove the league wrong. He was a complicated evaluation, and the personality concerns were legitimate with every team. Sanders was inconsistent with his interviews during the pre-draft process, furthering teams’ fears he’s not enough of a leader to take charge of an NFL locker room.

If that message hit home, and he’s ready to mature in that regard, he can let his play take over. And in that case, there’s no telling what Sanders can accomplish.

The Browns are in a bridge period at the position with Deshaun Watson likely out for the 2025 season with a second torn Achilles. Sanders and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel will compete with veterans Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco for the starting job.

If this draft fall was unwarranted, and Sanders was indeed talented enough to be a first-round pick, he should start several games as a rookie, at minimum.

Why Sanders can fail

There were a lot of qualifiers in the section above. A lot of things have to go well for him to hit the field anytime soon.

Sanders needs to show he can graduate from Colorado’s simplistic system to run an NFL offense. He also must prove football is more important than his brand.

If he can do those things, he still has to overcome adversity with the Browns, who are handcuffed by Watson’s contract and have holes on the roster. Even if things do go reasonably well for Sanders in 2025, the Browns have a first-rounder in 2026 as well as the Jaguars’ pick, so they’ll have a golden opportunity to tap into a more decorated quarterback class.

7. Dillon Gabriel, Browns

Why Gabriel can succeed

First of all, the Browns like him more than Sanders. That’s not an opinion. They took Gabriel 50 picks earlier.

Gabriel was a Heisman Trophy candidate at Oregon and was highly productive at UCF and Oklahoma. He’s a facilitator, not unlike Bo Nix, and he’ll get the ball out quickly. That should be a good fit for coach Kevin Stefanski’s scheme.

If Gabriel picks up the offense faster than Sanders, the former Duck will create separation against his fellow rookie on the depth chart because it’ll be almost for a fourth-stringer to earn quality practice reps.

Why Gabriel can fail

At 5-foot-11, Gabriel’s size is a concern, and he’s not a great athlete. It’ll also be a challenge to leapfrog both Pickett and Flacco. And if both veterans are on the roster during the season, Gabriel wouldn’t get many practice reps as the third-stringer, either.

And as we’ve noted with other mid-rounders, if Gabriel doesn’t make a quality first impression, there’s nothing stopping the Browns from addressing the position again a year from now.

(Photo: Tork Mason / USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

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