Tests galore this weekend for the top quarterback prospects going into the 2025 NFL draft. Cam Ward with a nail-biter versus Virginia Tech on Friday night, Jaxson Dart battling Kentucky’s stout front, then an SEC duel on prime time featuring Jalen Milroe and Carson Beck on Saturday. In this article, we will take a deep dive into these top prospects' best tests over the weekend and how it affects their draft stock.
Cam Ward
After a tough start to week four of the college football season, Cam Ward showed his ability to stay poised and maintain his composure. The first drive could not have started worse as Ward got caught trying to do too much on a third and five, fumbling the ball trying to climb the pocket to get a desperation check down off. This looked eerily similar to what NFL fans have seen from Will Levis these first three weeks. After this, things seemed to be looking up. Two straight touchdown drives followed the mistake where Ward flashed the ability to play within the call and improvise at an NFL level.
The fourth drive ended with an interception after moving the ball down the field rather impressively, flashing his ability to run. Ward’s ability to run isn’t something he shows off but uses this asset extremely efficiently, not putting himself in harm's way. Ward got fooled by a corner faking a double team on the post then coming back for the wheel. He made the correct read. The corner had the film.
Two more punts to end the second half for Miami, then another interception, this time in the red zone. Getting tricked by the safety this time. The wide receiver made the correct read, flattening out the route while Ward’s pass sailed upfield into the arms of the safety. From this point forward, Ward seemingly could not miss.
Ward showed all his potential in “winning time.” Scoring on his next three possessions, Ward led Miami to this victory with flawless fourth-quarter play. While his fourth quarter showed all the makings of a guy working perfectly inside his offense. When things didn't work out, Ward showed an incredible ability to break sacks inside of the pocket, featuring a stiff arm of defensive end on the outside the spring Miami for a big gain. This looked identical to a Big Ben or Dante Culpepper. The quick-release ability showed itself several times throughout the fourth quarter surgery Ward performed on the Hokies.
Cam Ward will continue to skyrocket up draft boards as the season goes on. I love his size at six foot two 232 pounds, the mobility mixed with throwing on the move, and his remaining calm despite the chaos around him (whether he caused it or not). What’s not to love? From this game, at least, the turnovers. The first fumble was a symptom of not accepting a sack, while with the two interceptions, his eyes lied to him. These mistakes can be coached out of him while his positive traits can be improved upon further at the next level. If you need a Quarterback going into 2025, make sure you have a high enough first to bring Ward onto your roster.
Jaxson Dart
While Ward was able to raise his stock, Jaxson Dart took a small hit. Playing against Kentucky was not easy for consensus number one. Carson Beck and Dart found a similar result against the Wildcats defense. Panic was the theme of the day for Dart. Dart’s quick game was nowhere to be seen as Kentucky gave him fits up front.
Limited would be another word that comes to mind with Dart. Without screen passes and crossing route run after the catch, Dart showed less than stellar arm talent. He missed targets downfield when he had time while looking to run immediately rather than extend the play out of the pocket. There was not a single play versus Kentucky that made me think this was anything more than Matt Corral. Avoid Dart during your draft. This is an XFL quarterback.
Jalen Milroe
Jalen Milroe played a PERFECT first half against a stout Georgia Bulldogs defense this Saturday. Nailing deep throws, running when necessary and quick game ability stood out the most from Milroe. There was not a single throw he could not make on Saturday. Milroe was not perfect for the entire game, but this was hardly his fault, doing what was asked of him in the second half.
The first sign Milroe was not flawless came with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter. An interception that came from a throw slightly behind his tight end that slightly hit his target's hands as contact came, just becoming a tip drill that fell into the defender's lap. After this, Milroe played the game Alabama asked of him. An ultra-conservative approach allowed Georgia to creep back into the game.
Jalen Milroe’s stock is through the roof for me. He showed everything you could want in a modern NFL quarterback versus Georgia and more. The only thing I would like to see Milroe progress throughout the season is extending the play out of the pocket. Similar to Dart, when he does get out of the pocket, Milroe is looking to get downfield. This isn’t terrible since he is an NFL-caliber runner, but you’d like to see the big play ability without having to take a shot, similar to how Cam Ward’s game opens the entire field when he exits the pocket.
Carson Beck
The other side of Georgia, Alabama, was Carson Beck. A terrible start began with a play out of Beck’s control. The second play of the game from the Georgia Bulldogs was a deep shot off of play action that had big play written all over it with a perfect deep shot from the Georgia quarterback. This ball was dropped. After this, it was all downhill for Beck and the Bulldogs.
Beck was regularly fooled by simulated pressure for virtually the entire first half. The ball could go anywhere if Alabama brought more than five defenders on their front. Even when he had time during the first half, Beck saw ghosts. Regularly throwing bad interceptions, missing to nobody downfield, and taking a terrible safety, throwing the ball to the turf while Bama brought eight. The first half had to be one of the worst I’ve seen from a consensus number-one quarterback.
The second half started slow on the first drive, then Beck led a drive, chipping his way down the field for the score. Beck then fumbled. This must have awoken something in him because the top prospect showed himself dicing up the Alabama defense for three straight touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, even taking the lead. This lead was short-lived as Beck’s counterpart ripped a pass down the sideline to talented freshman Ryan Williams, regaining the lead for Alabama.
Beck had the opportunity to lead a game-winning drive, getting the ball to the twenty before throwing a game-sealing interception in the endzone. This is Josh Rosen. All of Beck's success came when Alabama decided to play seven v seven and stop bringing pressure. I’m not wasting any top draft capital on Carson Beck. Maybe a third or fourth if he is on the board.
Top 5 2025 NFL Draft QB prospects
1. Cam Ward
2. Quinn Ewers
3. Jalen Milroe
4. Drew Allar
5. Carson Beck