The 2025 NFL Draft had largely boiled down to a two-quarterback race. Both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders have separated themselves from the rest of the pack thanks to some incredible collegiate careers. However, as the draft draws closer, other quarterbacks are starting to enter the conversation.
A range of names — from Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss to Jalen Milroe out of Alabama and even Tyler Shough out of Louisville — are getting some consideration from analysts and scouts alike. As a result, one of the most reputed NFL analysts, Mina Kimes, broke down two quarterbacks in particular as we inch closer to draft day.
Breaking Down Tyler Shough and Jaxson Dart
Both Shough and Dart are names that were considered late-round selections for teams with veteran quarterbacks — as developmental pieces or as potential fliers for quarterback-needy teams that missed out on the top names.
However, Kimes has vastly different perspective when it comes to the two. She explained her point by addressing the long-standing quarterback age debate that comes up every draft cycle.
“When we talk about quarterback age and why it matters so much to teams and the evaluation process, it’s because we look at a quarterback and they play forever, right? Some of them are playing until 40. So you think, what’s the big deal if they’re 26 or 23? It’s not about longevity, it’s about development and evaluation and where they are in that process.”
When it comes to the Louisville product, she is confident in the final result for the six-year collegiate veteran, rather than expecting any steep developmental curve. “Tyler Shough is a finished product in some ways, probably because of his age. To me, he looks more polished on tape than Jaxson Dart.”
"It's not about longevity, it's about development and evaluation."@minakimes believes Tyler Shough is pro-ready and "looks more polished on tape" than Jaxson Dart ✍️ pic.twitter.com/eRjjXsCl4r
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 7, 2025
In his season with the Cardinals, Shough had his best year, throwing for 3,195 yards and 23 touchdowns against just six interceptions, with an average of 8.2 yards per attempt.
“He should look more polished than Jaxson Dart,” Kimes continued. “He’s like four years, at least, older than him, and that does matter to NFL teams because you’re not only taking a quarterback for who he is, but for where his ceiling is and whether or not he has farther to go.”
As a result, she believes Shough could become more lucrative to teams come April 24. “His experience and the fact that he is fairly pro-ready will be a point in his favor in this particular draft because there are a number of teams that are looking for quarterbacks who can play quickly, who aren’t looking for developmental projects.”
The latest mock draft from PFSN, however, goes in a different direction. According to Brentley Weissman, Dart goes at the beginning of the second round to the Cleveland Browns with the 33rd overall pick, while Shough falls out of the first two rounds entirely.