Darkish Horse Groups That Might Take a Quarterback in First Spherical of NFL Draft

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Seth Quinn is a contributing sports activities author primarily based in Massachusetts. His focus is on sports activities, primarily the NFL and NBA. He has in depth data of the NFL and NBA as an entire, being a fan of each leagues for over 20 years. Seth joined Newsweek in 2025 after beforehand writing for Athlon Sports activities, Fansided, and as an intern with Syracuse.com. He’s a graduate from Syracuse College each as a undergraduate and graduate scholar. You may get in contact with Seth by emailing s.quinn@newsweek.com. You could find him on X @SethFQuinn.

Seth Quinn

Contributing Sports activities Author

NFL draft rumors are heating up because it approaches, particularly surrounding this yr’s quarterback class. Cam Ward is the consensus high man, whereas Shedeur Sanders may go wherever from second total to second spherical.

On the high of the draft, there appears to be three groups who clearly want a quarterback. The Tennessee Titans, who’re anticipated to take Ward, the Cleveland Browns, and the New York Giants.

Extra information: NFL Mock Draft 2025 3.0: Updated Prediction of the Entire First Round

Nevertheless, there are different groups who may take a quarterback within the first spherical who aren’t talked about sufficient, primarily attributable to who’s at present the beginning quarterback.

Listed here are three groups who may pull an Atlanta Falcons and surprisingly draft a quarterback within the first spherical.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders acquired Geno Smith to be the beginning quarterback this offseason, which quelled the preliminary rumors they have been all in favour of drafting Shedeur Sanders. Nevertheless, Geno is 34 years outdated, which implies the workforce ought to nonetheless contemplate a younger quarterback early within the draft.

With current experiences and mock drafts suggesting a possible fall from the highest three, Sanders could possibly be the decide for Raiders at decide No. 6 to begin off behind Smith on the depth chart.

It would not be loopy for the workforce to accumulate a quarterback in each free company and the draft, simply because the Falcons did final yr.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints are one other workforce with an older beginning quarterback, Derek Carr, who would profit from a youthful possibility for the long run. Much like the Raiders, Sanders may fall to the Saints, which might trigger them to should make a giant determination.

One other attention-grabbing thought to contemplate is the Saints may be all in favour of a distinct quarterback at decide No. 9, comparable to Jaxon Dart. Dart is popping out of Ole Miss, which might imply he would not should go far to hitch the Saints.

If the workforce actually likes Dart as a prospect, taking him would make numerous sense, whilst excessive as ninth total, though taking Sanders if he falls appears extra probably.

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams have 37-year-old Matthew Stafford at quarterback proper now. Though he looks as if a viable starter for the subsequent few seasons, taking a younger quarterback to study from him looks as if a wise transfer, whether or not meaning Sanders falling dramatically, Dart, or one other quarterback.

The Rams are in an attention-grabbing spot the place they’ve a gifted younger protection and a few good younger items on offense.

Including a younger quarterback into the combo may make sense, as when Stafford is gone, the workforce may seamlessly transition into a brand new period with none down seasons.

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Grading the New York Giants Signing of Russell Wilson

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