New England Patriots - NESN.com
The Patriots should be rooting for every quarterback in Indianapolis like they are their own.
No, not because New England needs a signal-caller. Obviously. But because the Patriots benefit from every team who drafts one.
The dream scenario for the Patriots is two quarterbacks are selected in the top three picks. That would mean either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter, widely considered the top talents in the class, would be available to New England. While that’s best-case scenario it’s not the only one. Another could be an interested team trades up to No. 4 and gives the Patriots draft capital.
In order for either to happen, though, quarterbacks have to impress during the pre-draft process. Here are four quarterbacks who could help the Patriots by improving their draft stock at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine this week.
Cam Ward, Miami
Ward is widely considered the top quarterback prospect in the draft, and it seems like the deeper we get into the process the more Ward separates himself. The Patriots probably would be better off if it was more of a toss-up, but the reality is New England isn’t in a position to beg. While it’s not yet known whether Ward will take part in on-field drills, crushing interviews is equally important. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks Ward his No. 10 overall prospect while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler lists the playmaker No. 15. Ward is viewed as a top-3 lock, as ESPN’s Matt Miller recently said on NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Sanders reportedly will not take part in on-field drills and instead focus on the interview process. He’ll throw at Colorado’s Pro Day next month. New England is hoping Sanders crushes with quarterback-needy teams like the Titans, Browns and Giants given all three pick before the Patriots. Sanders dropped four spots to No. 15 in Jeremiah’s latest rankings and Brugler has him No. 25. Sanders, who doesn’t have elite size or arm strength, is the QB most likely to sneak into the top three after Ward.
Jaxon Dart, Ole Miss
Here’s where things get interesting. Both Jeremiah (No. 42) and Brugler (No. 57) view Dart as the third-best quarterback behind Ward and Sanders. But based on where Dart currently is listed, it’s highly unlikely he creeps into the top three. Could a stellar Combine showing change things? Or if Dart gets a team to fall in love with him, might someone try to trade up? That could help the Patriots, who are scheduled to be on the clock again at No. 38 overall and have the capital to trade up if needed. “The more I watch film on this quarterback class, the more I find myself liking Jaxson Dart,” Miller wrote on X last month.
Tyler Shough, Louisville
Shough could be a late-riser. Brugler ranked Shough behind the three aforementioned QBs and ahead of Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Ohio State’s Will Howard. “There aren’t four quarterbacks in this draft class more gifted with NFL tools than Louisville QB...
