Chris Simms ranks 2025 QB class, and what it could mean for Rams

Kyle McCord could be a strong stylistic fit as Matthew Stafford’s understudy

I’ve learned to pay attention to former NFL QB Chris Simms’ draft rankings in recent years. Whether for attention-seeking purposes or because he applies a different lens to the process, Simms is often willing to buck the consensus and go out on his own limb.

For example, just last year he had now-Washington Commanders signal caller Jayden Daniels as his second quarterback in the 2024 class—behind Caleb Williams and in front of Drake Maye. At receiver Simms had Brian Thomas, Jr. in the top tier with Malik Nabers and ahead of Marvin Harrison, Jr. Both of those takes aged well over the course of last season.

Within the last week Simms released his rankings for the 2025 quarterback class. The top three is unsurprising compared to the consensus and what most analysts are saying these days; however, how he arranges the tiers and approaches the players that should be available late into or after the first round should raise eyebrows.

Chris Simms’ 2025 QB Rankings:

Tier 1:

1 – Cam Ward, Miami

When he wants to throw a rocket, he can find another gear in his arm that nobody in this draft class has

Tier 2:

2 – Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

He’s got a strong arm, and it doesn’t take him much effort to throw a fastball. He’s very accurate and rarely loses control of the football. You don’t see him make too many dicey decisions

3 – Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

He’s a guy that you wish some of his physical attributes were a hair better, but I do like the way he plays and I certainly could see him being a starting quarterback in the NFL one day

Tier 3:

4 – Kyle McCord, Syracuse

I think he can let it rip just about as good as anyone in this draft, maybe besides Cam Ward. I would say he makes the most power, ‘wow’ throws in the draft, other than Ward.

5 – Quinn Ewers, Texas

Quinn’s arm is gifted. He has experience in big-time college football. He can make every throw in the world and has a beautiful motion.

Honorable Mentions:

Tyler Shough, Lousiville

His arm, to me, was not quite in the class of a McCord or Quinn Ewers. On top of that, I think they have untapped potential to go up to another level. I kind of look at Tyler and go, ‘No, he is what he is.

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

It’s the tale of two seasons because when you start the first game of the year, and if you watch the first few games, you go, damn, this guy’s special. But then you get to the end of the year, and it starts to fall apart as far as decision-making and throwing the football.

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

When you watch him, it’s quick decisions, quick release, more power on the arm than you’d imagine, but the size limitations are real.

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

It looks really easy, natural, and perfect. Between that, the size, the smarts, he’s a really good athlete, way bigger than people realize, and there’s just more power behind his arm than TV gives it credit for.

Graham Mertz, Florida

I liked his motion and his mechanics. He’s a better athlete. He could play the position pretty well. To me, he was kind of one of my most pleasant surprises of this whole process

What this QB class means for the Rams:

Either the Los Angeles Rams are serious about drafting a developmental quarterback behind Matthew Stafford or they are attempting to throw up on hell of a smoke screen. LA has also positioned their roster to where they could spend an early pick on quarterback—somewhat of a luxury given their current state—in order to hedge their bets into 2026 and potentially beyond.

There’s no sense in spending time on the Cam Ward’s of the world as it relates to the Rams. Even Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart are likely to be off the board by the time LA is on the clock at 26th overall. Even based on Simms comments, Sanders and Dart don’t seem to be fits for Sean McVay’s high wire offense that is aggressive in the downfield passing game.

If the Rams are truly interested in drafting and grooming a young quarterback behind Matthew Stafford, it’s clear that their best options this year are probably Kyle McCord or Quinn Ewers. Simms thinks that McCord is worth drafting in the second round considering that Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr have gone in that range historically. Meanwhile, Ewers is a better fit for the third round.

It’s fair to question whether it’s worth spending a second or third round pick on a quarterback. There just isn’t a solid track record of those players panning out. It’s a position where the individuals that have a real chance of success go early in the draft. The Rams also don’t have a second round pick as of right now, though they have a long time to wait until their next pick and could benefit from moving down out of the first round.

Still, the Rams are competing for a Super Bowl in 2025. They don’t expect to have a top pick next year. Drafting and stashing a developmental player might be their only chance at threading the needle from Stafford to the next generation of the roster.