2025 NFL Draft Odds: The Second QB Drafted Is Somewhat Open for Discussion

The 2025 NFL Draft has a clear frontrunner at quarterback, but things get murkier after that. With the first overall pick virtually guaranteed to be a quarterback—almost certainly Shedeur Sanders out of Colorado—the real intrigue begins shortly after. While Sanders has captured the spotlight with a combination of NFL bloodlines, explosive arm talent, and proven production, the conversation surrounding who will be the second quarterback off the board is wide open, and oddsmakers are taking notice.

Every draft cycle has a certain rhythm. There’s the “can’t miss” QB prospect who gets built up over months until his name is in Sharpie at the top of every mock draft. That’s Sanders this year. But what comes next often defines the rest of the first round. A run on quarterbacks is always possible, but which player becomes the second one taken? The answer may lie in system fits, team needs, pre-draft interviews, and how each signal-caller is evaluated on upside versus floor.

The Favorites

At the moment, oddsmakers are giving the edge to Georgia’s Carson Beck to be the second quarterback drafted. Beck has emerged as a mature pocket passer who took a major leap in 2024. He checks many of the boxes scouts look for in terms of poise, decision-making, and arm strength. Beck’s experience in a pro-style offense, paired with his prototypical size (6-foot-4, 215 pounds), makes him a logical candidate for a team looking to plug in a day-one starter without a multi-year development arc.

Beck may not have the improvisational magic of Sanders, nor the dual-threat electricity of a Jayden Daniels or the now-NFL-bound Caleb Williams, but he has command. His rise through the Georgia program after sitting behind Stetson Bennett mirrors a path NFL teams can appreciate—he waited, learned, and when given the reins, delivered an SEC title and a College Football Playoff berth. If Beck tests well in the pre-draft process and continues to show a high football IQ in interviews, he’ll only solidify his standing.

However, Beck isn’t the only name in play. The odds remain close with multiple prospects clustered just behind him, and several teams in the top 10 are still weighing their options depending on how the draft board unfolds.

The Wild Cards

Enter Jalen Milroe, the Alabama quarterback whose stock has skyrocketed thanks to a remarkable 2024 campaign. Milroe’s game has always been defined by his athleticism, but his growth as a passer has made scouts take a second look. After a rocky start to his college career, Milroe turned the corner last season under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Joe Brady. He became more accurate, more disciplined, and more dangerous. Milroe now poses the kind of dual-threat challenge that modern NFL defenses struggle to contain.

Some teams drafting early may be more enticed by Milroe’s upside than Beck’s stability. It’s the age-old question—do you want the safe bet or the home run swing? Milroe’s ability to make plays outside the pocket and his cannon of an arm give him the kind of ceiling that teams like the New England Patriots or Minnesota Vikings might find irresistible. He’s rawer, no doubt. But if a franchise believes it has the right coaching staff in place, Milroe could easily leapfrog Beck on draft night.

Another name lingering in this conversation is Cam Ward, who transferred to Miami from Washington State for his final college season. Ward is a bit of a mystery box in the eyes of evaluators. His college production was impressive, particularly when it came to throwing off-platform and managing chaos. However, he’s also been streaky, sometimes forcing throws and making questionable decisions under pressure. Still, scouts love tools, and Ward has plenty of them. If he impresses during the pre-draft process—especially in interviews and whiteboard sessions—Ward could vault into the top-15 mix. He’s another quarterback whose odds are slowly creeping up.

Rising Prospects

Don’t count out Will Howard either. After transferring from Kansas State to Ohio State, Howard now has a massive platform to elevate his draft stock. Ohio State is loaded with skill-position talent, and Howard will have every opportunity to showcase his arm and ability to push the ball vertically. Howard possesses ideal NFL size and has been praised for his football IQ. If he shows consistency in 2025, his name could surge into top-10 consideration.

Similarly, Riley Leonard from Notre Dame is worth tracking. Though he dealt with injuries in 2024, Leonard’s talent is apparent. He’s mobile, strong-armed, and has experience in multiple offensive systems. NFL teams appreciate quarterbacks who’ve faced adversity, and Leonard fits that mold. While it’s unlikely he becomes the second quarterback taken barring an explosive pre-draft process, he remains in the broader conversation and could sneak into the first round.

The other potential dark horse is Dillon Gabriel, now at Oregon after a productive stint at Oklahoma. Gabriel has all the moxie and leadership you’d want in a quarterback, and while he may lack the physical traits of some of his peers, he’s battle-tested and poised. Some scouts have compared him to a left-handed version of Drew Brees, albeit with a smaller arm. If a team falls in love with his processing and command, Gabriel could be one of those surprise risers in April.

System Fits and Draft Order

A lot of this discussion depends on who’s picking where. The Chicago Bears, assuming they take Sanders at No. 1 overall, are out of the quarterback race. But the rest of the top 10 could shift based on trades, free agency decisions, and how the quarterback dominoes fall.

The Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Washington Commanders are all plausible QB-hunting teams. If any of them move up, the second quarterback taken might be about fit as much as raw talent. For example, Sean Payton in Denver might lean toward a passer like Beck—someone who can execute his offense with precision. The Raiders, under Antonio Pierce, might want a playmaker with Milroe’s physical traits. And the Commanders, rebuilding their entire offensive identity, could be enticed by a young, moldable quarterback like Ward.

It’s also worth remembering that the NFL is a league of trends. Teams have watched the success of players like Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, and Lamar Jackson—all of whom were questioned pre-draft due to mechanics or polish, but developed into stars due to elite physical tools and the right system. That could tilt the scales in favor of Milroe or Ward if teams believe Beck’s ceiling is closer to a high-end game manager than a game-changer.

Oddsmakers Adjusting

The odds boards are reflecting this uncertainty. After Sanders, there’s a clear drop, but then a tight cluster of names: Beck, Milroe, Ward, and Howard are all hovering in the same range, with Leonard and Gabriel as fringe candidates. Each of them has a case, depending on how the draft unfolds. As pro days, private workouts, and the NFL Combine shake out, expect these odds to fluctuate wildly. Just one 60-yard dime in shorts or an impressive chalkboard session can change everything.

Moreover, the betting markets are influenced not just by talent, but by buzz. The second quarterback drafted is a spot where bettors see real value. It’s not like the No. 1 pick, which is often locked in weeks ahead of time. Here, there’s wiggle room—surprise visits, last-minute trade-ups, and smokescreens are all on the table.

That’s what makes this discussion so fun. It’s not just about who’s the best QB after Sanders—it’s about perception, need, and risk tolerance. Some GMs want to swing for the fences. Others want a quarterback who won’t lose them games. Some are desperate to win now. Others are building for 2027.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the question of who will be the second quarterback taken remains as compelling as ever. Carson Beck may be the current favorite, but Jalen Milroe, Cam Ward, and others are lurking with legitimate claims to that spot. Every team evaluating quarterbacks is balancing two competing impulses: the allure of elite athletic traits versus the comfort of a ready-to-play, high-floor starter. That balancing act will define the top of this draft.

And as we’ve seen time and again, it only takes one team to fall in love.

In a quarterback-driven league where fortunes are made or lost on draft night, the debate over the second quarterback drafted in 2025 is more than just a curiosity—it could be the moment that reshapes the future of a franchise.