2025 NFL Draft: Best Team Fits for Top QBs After Offseason Coaching Cycle

The 2025 NFL coaching carousel is finally grinding to a halt. Six teams have already found their new head coaches, and the New Orleans Saints, presumably, are closing in on a decision about their vacancy.

A plethora of coordinators and position coaches have also moved around the NFL map since the regular season ended.

While the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are firmly focused on Super Bowl LIX, the rest of the league has already turned the page to the offseason. For many franchises, finding a new quarterback will be a massive part of the process.

The 2025 draft class isn't as loaded with quarterback talent as last year's group was. However, the Bleacher Report Scouting Department still has six signal-callers ranked in its top 99 prospects. We won't see six quarterbacks drafted in Round 1 for the second straight year, but each of these top QB prospects can still find a favorable home, and perhaps, an NFL starting opportunity.

Here, you'll find a look at some potential pairings that would make sense for both prospect and team based on factors like skill set, player upside, scheme fit and supporting cast.

Miami's Cam Ward is the top QB on the B/R board and the sixth-ranked prospect overall. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is also in the running to be the first player off the board, but there's a real chance Ward lands with the Tennessee Titans at No. 1.

According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, there was a "building sentiment" from scouts and executives during Senior Bowl Week that Ward "is likely" to be selected No. 1 overall.

From a fit standpoint, however, Ward would be a better fit for the New York Giants.

While New York is still piecing together its offensive supporting cast, it has a standout left tackle in Andrew Thomas, a legitimate playmaking receiver in Malik Nabers and a capable running back in Tyrone Tracy Jr. With a few more pieces in place, the Giants could properly support Ward and the big-play potential his arm talent can provide.

"Beginning with arm talent, Ward can make everything needed at the next level. He can access the short, intermediate, and deep portions of the defense with little restrictions," Dame Parson of the Bleacher Report Scouting Department wrote.

As a passer, Ward should be able to open up Brian Daboll's offense in a way that Daniel Jones rarely did—and he may remind Daboll of Josh Allen, whom he previously coached as the Buffalo Bills' offensive coordinator.

There's a schematic fit, meaning Ward could benefit by sliding a few spots and landing with the Giants at No. 3 overall. New York would also benefit greatly from this scenario, as Ward appears to be the most pro-ready quarterback in this class.

That's an important factor for Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen, who face pressure to win early and often in 2025.

"Better not take too long, because I've just about run out of patience," franchise co-owner and team president John Mara said, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

Ward and Nabers—who tallied 1,204 receiving yards as a rookie with an underwhelming and rotating quarterback group—would be a thrilling combination from the start. Tracy, Wan'Dale Robinson, Theo Johnson and Darius Slayton, if re-signed in free agency, would further give the rookie a strong supporting cast and give him a legitimate chance of early success.

The Titans hold the No. 1 pick in the draft and need to find a franchise quarterback. There's a non-zero chance, however, that they'll pass on a signal-caller to draft more of a "sure thing" like Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter at No. 1.

"We won't pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL draft," Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker said, per NFL.com's Eric Edholm.

If the Titans do opt for a quarterback at No. 1—and while they reportedly prefer Ward—they could be a surprisingly strong fit for Sanders. The supporting cast isn't great, but Tennessee does have some solid skill players in Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, Chigoziem Okonkwo and Tyjae Spears. The offensive line—ranked 28th in the NFL by Pro Football Focus—needs a lot of work, but Sanders is accustomed to playing behind a bad line.

Most importantly, though, Sanders' best traits mesh with the offense of head coach Brian Callahan.

"He is capable of winning from clean pockets and out of structure. Sanders will pick defenses apart with his quick release and accuracy, especially if he's kept clean," Parson wrote.

Sanders (6'1", 198 lbs) isn't the biggest or most physically gifted quarterback in the 2025 class. However, his anticipation, timing and accuracy are tremendous. Callahan worked with a similar skill set when he coached Joe Burrow as the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator.

That's not to say that Sanders will end up on Burrow's level. However, his talents should allow Callahan to run an offense closer to the one he had in Cincinnati than the one we saw with Will Levis and Mason Rudolph in 2025.

Sanders was the pick for Tennessee in the B/R Scouting Department's post-regular season mock draft.

"The reigning Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner fits the Joe Burrow/Jake Browning mold and play style for Callahan's offense," Parson said.

Tennessee has $50.3 million in projected cap space and would be wise to invest much of that into its offense before heading to the draft. If the Titans do that, Sanders could experience early success in Tennessee.

There's a chance that either Ward or Sanders falls to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6.

The New England Patriots (4th pick) and Jacksonville Jaguars (5th) aren't in the QB market. Two prospects—Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter and Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter—have gained enough buzz to be viable top-five options, even for QB-needy teams.

If neither is available, and the Raiders opt to trade down or take a quarterback later, Ohio State's Will Howard would be a very sensible target.

While the Raiders' supporting cast isn't great, Howard would make sense for Las Vegas for several reasons. The first is the fact that new head coach Pete Carroll will, presumably, look to build a team similar to his Seattle Seahawks squads—teams usually based around strong defense, a capable rushing attack and game management from the quarterback position.

Howard filled this role well with the Buckeyes while helping to lead Ohio State to a national championship. His accuracy and anticipation would also mesh with pass-catchers Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers.

"He attacks the seam routes well, throwing with the right amount of velocity and touch based on the defensive coverage. Howard throws down the field with good touch and ball placement, landing over the receiver's shoulders," Parson wrote.

While Howard may not be ready to start in Week 1, he wouldn't have to in Las Vegas. The Raiders have a very capable bridge QB in Aidan O'Connell and could potentially look to reunite Carroll and Wilson to further bolster the short-term QB outlook.

"I think both would be open to it, especially with this QB class the way it is," one of Carroll's former assistants told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The Raiders could potentially sit Howard for some or all of his rookie season while continuing to build the offense and preparing him to take over as QB1. New offensive coordinator Chip Kelly would likely speed up the latter part of the process.

Kelly served as Howard's offensive coordinator at Ohio State this past season.

Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart has a chance to move into the QB3 slot behind Sanders and Ward between now and the draft. However, he and Alabama's Jalen Milroe showed inconsistencies during Senior Bowl practices that have left plenty of questions.

From the B/R Scouting Department's Day 1 takeaways:

"Neither of these high-profile signal callers succeeded when called upon to throw the ball. Both were getting used to being under center and working on their footwork/technique. This was the first practice of the week, and it showed."

However, Dart showed improvements during the week and had a solid outing in the Senior Bowl game itself.

Is Dart ready to be a Week 1 starter in a pro-style offense? Probably not, but his physical upside and arm talent are enticing.

"Dart uses multiple arm angles/slots to fit passes based on defender location. He throws with a quick, sound, and snappy release when kept clean in the pocket," Parson wrote. "...Dart generates enough torque to drive throws between into voids in the defensive coverages."

Dart's arm strength and ability to deliver from multiple release angles might remind some of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Coincidentally (or not), I believe L.A. would be the perfect landing spot for the 21-year-old.

In college, Dart was a lethal passer when kept clean in the pocket and provided with receivers in space. Sean McVay's offense excels at generating space, and the Rams' offensive line showed improvement throughout the 2024 season. At some point, L.A. needs to find an heir to Stafford, though it probably won't need him to start in 2025.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Stafford plans to play next season. Presumably, he'll play in L.A., though last year's contract restructuring leaves the door open for a venue change. Stafford has two years left on his contract but very little guaranteed money. Theoretically, L.A. could trade Stafford after June 1 and save $27 million in cap space. A new deal for the 37-year-old (on February 7) feels more likely.

Assuming Stafford returns to the Rams for another year or two, Dart would be an ideal signal-caller to develop behind him. 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett is also on the roster but has yet to appear in a regular-season game and is scheduled to be a free agent in 2027.

The Cleveland Browns own the second overall pick and need to find themselves a long-term answer at quarterback. Deshaun Watson has proven that he isn't it, and he's unlikely to be healthy in 2025 after rupturing his Achilles twice in a matter of months.

Cleveland may use the second pick on a quarterback, but it could also opt for a player like Hunter, Carter or LSU lineman Will Campbell and come back for a quarterback with the 33rd pick or later in the draft—trading back into Round 1 to secure the fifth-year option would also be a possibility.

Alabama's Milroe isn't the most pro-ready quarterback in this class. He is, however, an elite dual-threat with top-tier scrambling ability and tremendous arm talent. It may take time for him to adapt to a pro-style offense and add polish as a passer, but his ceiling is incredibly high.

Cleveland would be a logical landing spot for Milroe for a couple of reasons. For one, the Browns are likely to return to Kevin Stefanski's zone-running, play-action-heavy offense after the firing of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. It's a system that would accentuate Milroe's skills as a runner and downfield passer.

Secondly, new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has already worked with Milroe as Alabama's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2023.

"I was a first-year starter in 2023, and he was a first-year OC," Milroe said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "...The best thing about it is that we worked together through that processes and it was so fun, just from the start of the season to the end."

Milroe may not be ready to start right away, but the Browns are likely to obtain a bridge quarterback this offseason whether they plan to draft a QB or not. Even if he's healthy, Watson has no business seeing the field for Cleveland again.

The New York Jets hold the seventh overall pick in the draft. They're unlikely to use that selection on Syracuse's Kyle McCord, who is ranked outside of the top 50 prospects on the B/R board. However, trading down or up from pick No. 42 could put New York in a reasonable range for the former Orangeman.

Such a move would make sense for the Jets, who may or may not move on from the 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers this offseason.

"I know Aaron has his process in the offseason that he goes through. We have ours but that day's going to come," new head coach Aaron Glenn said, per Eric Allen of the Jets' official website.

Whether the Jets turn the page to a new QB this year or next, McCord would be a strong fit for the new-look team. He's a quality pocket passer with strong processing skills, good accuracy and an NFL-caliber arm. He'd benefit from a strong supporting cast, and New York has that.

Even if the Jets move off of Davante Adams this offseason, they have a No. 1 receiver in Garrett Wilson. They also have a terrific backfield tandem in Breece Hall and Braelon Allen.

Schematically, McCord would be a strong fit for New York as well. Parson compared the incoming rookie to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has played at a Pro Bowl level when protected and playing within structure.

Glenn, the Lions' former defensive coordinator, will likely look to build an offense similar to Detroit's. The Jets have already hired former Lions tight ends coach Steve Heiden to be their offensive line coach and former Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand as their offensive coordinator.

If Glenn is looking to build his version of the "Lions East," McCord is a strong draft target and one the Jets have a realistic chance of landing on Day 2.