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- Jacob Rhee

The NFL Draft is just 60 days away, and my preparation is in full swing. Today, I’m going to list my top four quarterbacks in the class. Keep in mind that when I give a pro comparison for each kid, I’m not necessarily projecting how good they’ll be. I’m simply naming the NFL guy who always comes to mind during my evaluation of the given prospect. Let’s get started.

1. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

NFL Comparison: CJ Stroud

I took a deep, deep dive into Shedeur’s game tape and media sessions recently, and I came out of there significantly higher on him than I was expecting. I love it all. The way he carries himself, the composure in big moments, the ability to layer throws. A vast majority of draft analysts have anointed Cam Ward as the crown jewel of this QB group, and I just totally disagree.

My favorite part about Sanders’ collegiate career is how he responded at his two lowest moments. Colorado gets humiliated by Oregon on national television in 2023, and immediately becomes the laughingstock of the sport. A week later, Shedeur is hanging 41 points on the No. 8 team in the country. The Buffs folded against Nebraska this fall, and Sanders got justifiably ripped in the aftermath for immaturely throwing his offensive line under the bus. He then guides the boys to victories in seven of their next eight, and transforms Colorado into the season’s coolest story.

Much like Stroud, Shedeur’s golden trait is his elite accuracy. The football world - myself included - can become far too enamored with arm strength during this time of year. If Sanders is anticipating windows and making pinpoint throws, I don’t need him to fling one 80 yards.

Colorado’s alarming struggles with protection may have prevented the Buffs from making a playoff appearance, but it also unlocked Shedeur’s impressive play-extending savviness. While he’s far from the kind of athlete you would expect a descendant of Deion to be, I think the mobility is perfectly adequate. Sanders will likely have a lackluster group up front as a rookie, yet he’s creative and experienced enough to have early success anyway. A lot of folks disagree, but I see a multiple-time Pro Bowler.

2. Cam Ward, Miami (FL)

NFL comparison: Dak Prescott

Don’t mistake my infatuation with Shedeur for a knock on our friend Cam. Miami’s man was the best quarterback in America this year, and has earned every ounce of his draft stock. I don’t particularly care that he took a seat for the second half of a bowl game named after a breakfast food brand. The press conferences tell me that his leadership characteristics are every bit as strong as his on-field gifts.

I compared him to Dak for a reason, though. There are plays, drives, quarters, and halves where he’s the worst player on the field. Some of his misses will have you pausing the film and banging on the table in frustration. A friend of mine who doesn’t even watch football let out an audible groan when I showed him Ward’s pick-six against Cal.

On the other hand, there’s so much to like. The arm talent is obvious, he possesses fantastic vision as a scrambler, and he always rises in the fourth quarter. Cam has also literally never gotten hurt, and he’ll pack out his new team’s stadium with his swagger alone. There will be plenty of growing pains in Ward’s first season, but this a franchise quarterback.

3. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

NFL comparison: Baker Mayfield

I cannot get the ending of that Florida game out of my head. You might tell me that I’m putting too much stock into one contest, and you’re probably right. But I will always remember Dart’s time in college by that catastrophic sequence of events. Trailing by seven with under two minutes to play, Ole Miss needs its star signal-caller to finish off a clutch drive to stay in the CFP picture. Here’s what ensued.

• Dart throws INT into triple coverage

• Rebels force quick punt, get ball back

• Dart throws a second INT, and starts pouting on the bench

• Replay reverses the pick to an incomplete pass

• Dart puts his helmet back on, and throws another INT on the very next play

In the most important 75-second stretch of his football life, Jaxson threw it to the wrong team three separate times. None of them were desperation heaves, either. I’ll forgive him for melting down, but I won’t forget about it.

Dart’s mechanics are the prettiest in the class, and I love the way he glides forward in the pocket. He has confidence that sometimes borders on arrogance, which is a primary reason why the kid gives me Mayfield vibes. I fully believe that some GM will fall in love with his ceiling, and spend a first-round pick on Jaxson. While the potential is undeniable, I think that’s going to wind up being a mistake. I expect Dart to be a reserve by 2028.

4. Will Howard, Ohio State

NFL comparison: Geno Smith

Oh, I can already feel some of you racing into my Twitter DMs. Why are you such a Buckeyes homer? Will Howard in the top four? Are you stupid?

Hear me out before you fire off that message. I’m of the opinion that Sanders, Ward, and Dart are the only three dudes that even have a puncher’s chance to be a long-term starter in the league. If I’m now looking for the best backup, give me the guy who has a conference championship and a national title on the résumé. Howard’s NFL debut is going to draw lower TV ratings than the clash between Ohio State and Notre Dame did; I have a hard time believing that he’ll look intimidated out there.

Look, I don’t need to provide some detailed explanation of Will’s game. We’ve all seen him at this point. If he finds the right playcaller - and a city that embraces his competitive fire - he’s absolutely capable of delivering a few heroic relief performances through the years.

Missed the Cut

5. Quinn Ewers, Texas

6. Jalen Milroe, Alabama

7. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

8. Kyle McCord, Syracuse

9. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

10. Tyler Shough, Louisville

Ewers needed a season in Eugene, and Milroe should’ve given Lincoln Riley a call. Dillon Gabriel is tiny; I’m worried about the durability.

No, I don’t have McCord all the way down at eight because I’m still bitter about the pain he caused Buckeye Nation. I’ve just been following him since his days at St. Joe’s Prep, and I can confidently report that he does not have a meaningful NFL future. Leonard and Shough are big boys that are gifted enough to linger on practice squads for a while.

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