NFL Draft QB stock report: Several quarterbacks rebounded in Week 14

The New York Giants are absolutely in the market for a quarterback in 2025.

Things looked a bit bleak for the 2025 quarterback class last week. Multiple top quarterbacks had disappointing showings and few really distinguished themselves. Fortunately, most of the top quarterbacks had rebound performances this past week. It’s notable that most of these performances were against solid opponents as a part of Rivalry Weekend.

That’s potentially good news for the Giants, who hold the third overall pick and facing competition for quarterbacks from multiple QB-needy teams.

Conference championships will be decided next weekend, then we’re on to Bowl Season and the College Football Playoffs.

Note: The quarterbacks will be listed in order of appearance over the course of the weekend.

Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)

Stock: Neutral

At first blush, Sanders’ game against Oklahoma State should be a massive boost to his draft stock. After all, he went 34 of 41 (82.9%) for 438 yards and five touchdowns.

However, actually watching the tape tells a slightly different story. First and foremost, the Oklahoma State defense was just bad. They often appeared lost in coverage and lost track of receivers (almost) any time there was schemed traffic or separation by the Colorado offense. Many of Sanders’ passes were catch-and-throw passes on bubble screens or RPOs, or to wide open receivers on quick passing concepts.

Secondly, Sanders’ own game was frustrating and reinforced concerns regarding how he deals with pressure. He has a strong tendency to tap-dance behind the line of scrimmage and pat the ball if his preferred read isn’t open. Likewise, he can be prone to dropping his eyes and stop trying to find options when pressured. He took six sacks in this game, and most of them were his own fault.

Sanders did have some impressive throws, but the negatives in his game weigh heavily enough on the other side to balance the scales.

Colorado’s 52-0 dismantling of Oklahoma State had much more to do with Travis Hunter’s dominance (10 catches, 116 receiving yards, three TDs, two passes defensed, one interception) than Sanders’ play.

Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)

Stock: Down

I have to wonder if, or how much, the ankle injury Dart suffered a month ago is still impacting his game.

He looked off to start this game, and wasn’t completely transferring his weight when throwing downfield. That seemed to lead to inaccurate passes and a loss of velocity. Likewise, his movement behind the line of scrimmage wasn’t as crisp as it usually is.

However, he seemed to warm up and improve over the course of the game. Dart was able to pick up yardage with his legs as well as throw with improved power and precision as the game progressed. Dart has easy arm strength, the ability to make impressive throws from off platform, as well as upside as a runner.

Each of those traits were on display at times this game, but his overall performance left something to be desired. Dart has the upside to be a good starting quarterback in the NFL, but it’s also fair to wonder if he can put it all together consistently enough to play up to his potential.

Carson Beck (Georgia)

Stock: Up

Beck came into the season as the top quarterbak prospect in the 2025 draft. However, he not only failed to take the expected step forward, but he seemingly regressed over the first nine games of the season.

However, he’s rehabilitated his draft stock to a certain extent over the last three weeks. We shouldn’t put too much stock in Georgia blowing out UMass, but Beck’s games against Tennessee and Georgia Tech were solid. Beck has looked more decisive with the ball, threw with greater timing and anticipation, and has been more consistently precise with the ball.

The knocks on his game were still there against Georgia Tech. His arm is still just average, and his ball placement can be erratic and force his receivers to make difficult adjustments or limit what they can do after the catch. Likewise, Beck is not a great athlete and isn’t going to force defenses to play 11-on-11 football.

He’s a player who’s size and frame looks like an NFL quarterback and he’ll likely be seen as a relatively high floor (but lower ceiling) “safe” pick. That’s going to appeal to more than a few teams and evaluators.

Cam Ward (Miami)

Stock: Up

Miami suffered a potentially devastating upset at the hands of Syracuse, but Ward himself didn’t play poorly.

Ward played with his characteristic looseness, using his mobility and arm elasticity to frustrate defenders and extend plays. He showed off his arm strength and generally threw with good anticipation and ball placement. Miami called a high number of slow developing route concepts which often forced Ward to buy time to let the play develop.

Their offense didn’t often give him plays with quick answers, instead relying on Ward to find his receivers downfield and generate big plays. That said, the reason Ward’s stock is up here, is that when Miami’s offense did include check downs, Ward did a good job of getting his eyes down. He’s had a tendency to pass up check downs in favor of big plays, but this game he was willing to take modest gains when the big play wasn’t there.

Jalen Milroe (Alabama)

Stock: Neutral

This was a game that showed both Milroe’s incredible potential, as well as where he still needs to improve.

Milroe had a bad interception when the threw high over the middle and into traffic, as well as an ugly sack-fumble. The sack-fumble isn’t entirely his fault, as his left tackle was beaten badly off the snap. However, he was patting the ball and oblivious to the pressure while having a check-down available.

However, he also showed flashes of being able to navigate the pocket, find his check-downs, and place the ball at a high level. And of course, Milroe’s incredible athletic traits were on full display. He has both power and blazing speed as a runner, and is able to run through arm tackles as well as run away from defenders. He also has a truly impressive arm and can drive the ball to all areas of the field, even while on the move. He’s also shown improved ball placement and anticipation as a passer, but that also serves to highlight those plays like the interception.

Milroe has sky-high upside and he’s improved a ton since the start of 2023, however he would still benefit from sitting and learning behind a veteran to start his career.

Drew Allar (Penn State)

Stock: Up

Allar is, in some ways, a similar prospect to Milroe.

He has sky-high potential and potentially elite traits. He has rare size at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, plenty of arm strength to drive the ball, and he flashes impressive ball placement.

However, he also still needs development as a passer. In particular, Allar is a “see it, throw it” quarterback. He shows enough of an understanding of the defense as well as offensive concepts to navigate his reads. However, he also has a tendency to hold the ball until the receiver breaks open rather than throwing with anticipation.

It’s important to remember that Allar is still very young and will only just turn 21 on March 8. Teams will want to work with his potential when he declares for the draft.

Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)

Stock: Up

Rourke’s stats from this past weekend are undeniably impressive: 23 of 31 (74.2%) for 349 yards (11.3 per attempt), and six touchdowns to no interceptions. But it’s also important to remember that this was a game against 1-10 Purdue.

We shouldn’t overreact to Rourke doing what he’s supposed to against a weak opponent, but he also made some legitimately impressive throws. Rourke was able to roll out and make anticipation throws on the move, as well as drive the ball downfield despite the snowy conditions.

Purdue was definitely overmatched, and the we shouldn’t weigh the results too heavily. But Rourke did a good job of putting his teammates in position to succeed.

Garrett Neusseier (LSU)

Stock: Up

It’s games like this that show why Neussmeier gets scouts excited. He flashes undeniable upside as a quarterback, and not just arm strength or speed. He shows the ability to read and dissect the defense, as well as the ability to make precision throws and attack all areas of the field to capitalize on those reads.

Neussmeier had a great game against a defense that suffocated Jalen Milroe a week ago, and that should count for a lot.

Neussmeier should still probably go back to school for the 2025 season. He flashes a ton of upside and could be the top quarterback in next year’s draft, but he also only has one season as a starter. He already shows the ability to process the game well and navigate the defense. Getting more experience and seeing more variety in defenses before getting the the NFL would only make him better.

Quinn Ewers (Texas)

Stock: Neutral

Ewers is a frustrating prospect to watch on tape. On one hand, his upside is clear to see. He has a quality NFL arm with plenty of range as well as the accuracy and precision to throw his receivers open. Likewise, he has the athleticism to evade pressure, scramble, and do some work as a ball carrier himself.

On the other hand, his processing can be a bit slow and his decision making is definitely inconsistent. He can be prone to attempting throws he really shouldn’t, and there were some concerning misfires in this game as well.

Overall, the great throws balanced frustrating plays from Ewers in this game, which is why his stock neither rose nor fell. But overall, that illustrates the type of prospect he is: Tantalizing upside as well as frustrating inconsistency.

Dillon Gabriel (Oregon)

Stock: Up

If there’s one word to describe Gabriel, it would be “consistent”. He isn’t a flashy player and doesn’t have stand-out size, athleticism, or arm strength. But he does do a great job of commanding the offense and calmly navigating his reads. Gabriel’s head freely swivels between his options and he does a good job of putting the ball where it’s supposed to be so his receivers can make a play.

He didn’t have a dominant effort against Washington, completing 16 of 23 (69.6%) for 209 yards (9.1 per attempt), and two touchdowns. But he also didn’t need to put the team on his back against Washington. Next week against Penn State could be another matter entirely.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see him overlooked in the draft, but he might also be my pick to come from nowhere and surprise as a rookie — at least assuming he lands in a situation that affords him the opportunity to play.