NFL Draft Quarerback Watch: Three Teams That Might Surprise Everyone

It’s not hard to know when a team is going to pick a quarterback at the top of the NFL Draft.

It also can be easy to pinpoint a team that is primed to select one late in the first round or in the second round.

But it’s a bit harder to nail those teams that may surprise with a QB selection later in the three-day draft.

This year’s draft lines up well for a surprise or two.

Miami’s Cam Ward appears set to be picked No. 1 overall, and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders also is slated to be among the first players picked.

Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss figures to be the third quarterback selected. Then the crop flattens out fast, with a project like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe being the fourth-best prospect.

That brings us the suspense of wondering if one of the other quarterbacks can pull off a Brock Purdy — who went from the last pick of the draft to star signal caller.

There look to be three teams that are solid candidates to take the bargain-bin approach.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

New Orleans has a new head coach in Kellen Moore, and he is going to want a quarterback who fits his system.

Holdover Derek Carr isn’t the long-term answer, but the veteran’s presence in 2025 gives Moore the time to identify his guy now and let him learn and develop this season.

Moore didn’t have an NFL arm, but he was one of the better college quarterbacks of this century and had a mind-boggling 50-3 record as a starter at Boise State. His efficiency, intelligence and game instincts were top of the charts.

So you can definitely see Moore comfortable with somebody who has those tendencies. Sure doesn’t hurt if the player has a strong arm or quick release, too.

Quinn Ewers of Texas would fit the mold. Grabbing him in, say, the fourth round would be good value.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Remember how Miami fell far off the map when Tua Tagovailoa was injured last season? You can bet coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier haven’t forgotten those dreadful weeks.

Tagovailoa is a solid player, but he can’t be counted on after the series of concussions he has sustained. Not his fault, but that is a fact.

The Dolphins brought in Zach Wilson as the backup. He’s the guy who was picked No. 2 overall by the New York Jets in 2021 and was a big-time flop.

Wilson didn’t step on the field in 2024 and has a 12-21 record as a starter. He’s not the long-term option, no matter how much McDaniel talks him up.

So the Dolphins will target somebody in the middle rounds. Ewers, Louisville’s Tyler Shough or Ohio State’s Will Howard are possible targets.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Don’t get caught up on the Raiders signing Geno Smith to a big two-year, $75.5 million extension through the 2027 season. Las Vegas acquired Smith this offseason from the Seattle Seahawks, and it was certainly addressed at that time that Smith didn’t want to have a contract just for 2025.

So the two sides worked out a deal, and this gives new coach Pete Carroll time to pinpoint a quarterback of the future and draft him. Backup Aidan O’Connell looks like a guy who could be in the NFL for 10 seasons, but whether he can be a full-time starter remains unclear.

Minority owner Tom Brady understands quarterbacks pretty well and will chip in with his own opinions, just as he did with the decision to deal for Smith. Carroll, of course, is comfortable with Smith after coaching him in Seattle.

Former sixth-round pick Brady would surely love to be part of nabbing someone in the draft who someday ascends to the starting role. Possible targets include Syracuse’s Kyle McCord, Memphis’ Seth Henigan or Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke.