A couple of weeks back, during the shift from Day 2 to Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the attention was squarely on former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and former Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers. Their slide in the draft was a hot topic, and many were trying to make sense of their differing situations. Sanders ended up with the Cleveland Browns as the 144th overall pick, and the buzz was all about how he and his family navigated the pre-draft process. Meanwhile, Ewers, who was eventually picked by the Miami Dolphins at 231, had questions surrounding his injury history despite a solid collegiate career.
Looking at sheer draft numbers, the message from the NFL was blunt: neither player was seen as a likely starter. If they had been, they would’ve been picked much earlier. This situation highlights a recent trend in the draft, where teams are increasingly avoiding selecting quarterbacks in the middle rounds. Historically, an average of almost four quarterbacks were picked in rounds two to four each year from 2000 to 2023. But in the last two drafts, only three quarterbacks were chosen in these rounds, with none selected in 2024 between Bo Nix at No. 12 and Spencer Rattler at No. 150.
Many are hesitant to call this a definitive shift in drafting philosophy, given the small sample size. But that hasn’t stopped speculation about its implications on football’s evolution at both the college and professional levels. One of the big questions being asked is about quarterbacks like Ewers. If a player isn’t projected as a top-round pick, will they choose to stay in school to take advantage of potential NIL earnings and other benefits? These players could potentially earn more by staying in college compared to the modest, non-guaranteed contracts of a Day 3 draft pick.
An NFL executive commented on this trend, saying, “You see some of that as the money goes up, right?” He pointed out that the financial incentives in college are growing each year, offering players real options if they aren’t first-round material. This year, only a few quarterbacks were picked in the early rounds, leaving the rest to sign contracts more suited for backups or third-stringers. Sanders, for instance, is set to sign a four-year deal worth about $4.6 million, while Kurtis Rourke, a seventh-round pick, will likely ink a contract worth approximately $4.3 million.
Most quarterbacks picked on the draft’s later days had no collegiate eligibility left, like Sanders, who played two years each at Jackson State and Colorado. Dillon Gabriel, now Sanders’ teammate with the Browns, was in a similar situation. However, Jalen Milroe, drafted by the Seahawks, still had a year left and could have secured a lucrative NIL package but chose to go pro, expecting to sign a deal worth $6.26 million over four years.
Ewers, who had another year of eligibility, faced a different decision. Reports suggested he turned down an $8 million transfer offer. But after being picked last among quarterbacks in the seventh round, his contract with the Dolphins will be around $4.33 million with little guaranteed. An NFL agent speculated, “Maybe some school would have given him a few million… But you’re saying do you think we’re going to see the elimination of the middle-class quarterback, the second- and third-round quarterback?”
Understanding a player’s expectations involves questions that have been around draft discussions for ages. Does the player have a degree? How urgently do they need financial support? Are they willing to leave their college life behind? There are also modern considerations like personal insurance policies and whether they provide adequate coverage against potential injuries.
