The New England Patriots should be rooting for every quarterback in Indianapolis as if they are their own. This is not because New England urgently needs a signal-caller, but because the Patriots stand to benefit from every team that drafts one. The dream scenario for the Patriots involves two quarterbacks being selected in the top three picks, leaving either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter, widely regarded as top talents, available for New England.
While this represents the best-case scenario for the Patriots, it is not the only one. Another possibility includes an interested team trading up to the No. 4 spot, providing the Patriots with valuable draft capital. For these scenarios to materialize, quarterbacks must impress during the pre-draft process. Here are four quarterbacks who could boost their draft stock at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine this week, thereby aiding the Patriots.
Cam Ward is widely considered the top quarterback prospect in the draft, and as the process unfolds, Ward appears to be distancing himself from the competition. Although the Patriots might prefer a more competitive field, they are not in a position to be choosy. While it remains uncertain whether Ward will participate in on-field drills, his performance in interviews is equally crucial. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah ranks Ward as the No. 10 overall prospect, while The Athletic’s Dane Brugler lists him at No. 15. ESPN’s Matt Miller recently described Ward as a top-3 lock during NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast.
Shedeur Sanders reportedly will not participate in on-field drills, opting instead to focus on the interview process. He plans to showcase his skills at Colorado’s Pro Day next month. The Patriots are hoping Sanders makes a strong impression on quarterback-needy teams like the Titans, Browns, and Giants, who all pick before New England. Sanders has dropped four spots to No. 15 in Jeremiah’s latest rankings, with Brugler placing him at No. 25. Despite not possessing elite size or arm strength, Sanders remains the quarterback most likely to break into the top three after Ward.
Jaxon Dart presents an intriguing scenario. Both Jeremiah (No. 42) and Brugler (No. 57) rank Dart as the third-best quarterback behind Ward and Sanders. However, given his current position, it seems unlikely that Dart will climb into the top three. Could a stellar Combine performance change that? If Dart manages to captivate a team, a trade-up could occur, benefiting the Patriots, who are slated to pick again at No. 38 overall and possess the capital to trade up if necessary. “The more I watch film on this quarterback class, the more I find myself liking Jaxson Dart,” Miller wrote on X last month.
