The NFL has shifted its attention to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis for the scouting combine. Prospects will undergo medical checks, meet with teams for interviews, and go through the workout circuit. The Las Vegas Raiders will have a keen focus on the quarterbacks and their throwing mechanics.
With team minority stakeholder Tom Brady involved in the quarterback evaluation process, the Raiders will try to find an upgrade over Aidan O’Connell, Gardner Minshew, and Carter Bradley.
Equipped with three picks between the second and third rounds, the Silver and Black could find its starter on Day 2 of the draft if Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are off the board within the first five selections.
Though if you include Ward and Sanders, where would they stack up among the other signal-callers in the class as fits for the Raiders?
We have ranked the Raiders’ top five quarterback options in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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5. Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Jalen Milroe has the physical tools to draw intrigue, and he will put his athleticism on full display during workouts at the combine. The Alabama product has a sturdy 6-2, 225-pound frame and moves well outside the pocket as a ball-carrier, racking up 1,577 yards and 33 touchdowns on the ground. In Chip Kelly’s RPO-friendly system, he could be a dangerous dual-threat who can stretch the field with his arm.
However, Milroe ranks fifth among the quarterback prospect options because of his inconsistencies. He didn’t improve his accuracy between the 2023 and 2024 terms and may need a year or two to sit behind a veteran to grasp the speed of defenses on the pro level.
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4. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Jaxson Dart comes in one spot above Milroe because he’s shown better ball placement and accuracy from the pocket. In 2024, the Ole Miss product completed 69.3 percent of his pass attempts and led all FBS prospects in passer rating (180.7).
Dart didn’t play in a pro-style system under head coach Lane Kiffin, which leaves some question marks about how his traits will translate to the pros. However, Chip Kelly, who tried to recruit Dart to UCLA when he was head coach, can work with his tools. He has a quick release, high-end arm strength, and the ability to make off-platform throws.
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3. Will Howard, Ohio State
Will Howard has experience in Chip Kelly’s offense, throwing for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions with a 73 percent completion rate in his last term at Ohio State. Howard is similar to Dart in physical traits and playing experience, but the former Buckeye’s knowledge of the Raiders offense puts him over the Ole Miss product in the rankings.
The Raiders may be able to take Howard without concern about overdrafting him. He may be a third- or fourth-rounder, whereas Dart may be a second-round pick. Kelly could continue to develop Howard into a starting-caliber quarterback.
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2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Shedeur Sanders can evade pressure in the pocket, but he hasn’t flashed as much athleticism as the other top quarterback prospects. However, behind a subpar Colorado offensive line, Sanders had to extend plays and put the ball in the right spot for his pass-catchers. He’s decisive and supremely accurate, even in high-pressure situations.
If the Raiders want a prospect who will rely on his arm in the pocket and ability to read defenses, Sanders would be the ideal selection. That said, don’t overlook his functional mobility.
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1. Cam Ward, Miami
Cam Ward may be a prospect who’s out of reach for the Raiders at No. 6, but he can slip a few spots if quarterback-needy teams prefer to address the position via trades and free agency.
Ward has the full package skill set. He can make throws targeting every level of the field with a high accuracy rate and has the ability to improvise when the initial play call breaks down in a crowded pocket. The 6-2, 223-pound quarterback can also finish drives, scoring 17 rushing touchdowns over the past three terms at Miami and Washington State.
Most importantly, Ward has shown the football IQ to make checks and pre-snap adjustments. He doesn’t need a learning curve in a pro-style offense and could step in as the Raiders’ Day 1 starter.
Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for Sportsnaut. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.