Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders have remained at the center of conversation for the 2025 NFL Draft, largely due to their status as the top two quarterback prospects. Both are expected to be first-round picks, with a strong likelihood of going within the top 10. In fact, there’s a good chance that one of them could even be selected No. 1 overall by the Tennessee Titans.
However, in some recent NFL mock drafts, both quarterbacks have been pushed down the board in favor of standout players like two-way star Travis Hunter or edge rusher Abdul Carter. This debate is sure to continue right up until the draft in late April, when it takes center stage in Green Bay, Wisconsin. As a result, expect an endless stream of mock drafts to surface, updated weekly, and sometimes daily.
However, what if the draft had a different dynamic? What if college football’s underclassmen were eligible for this year’s draft? This hypothetical scenario was explored by Fox Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang, and the results would radically alter the landscape of the first round, if not the entire draft.
In his “what-if?” mock draft, Rang made a bold prediction: Arch Manning, who has played a limited role so far in his college career for the Texas Longhorns, would be selected No. 1 overall by the Titans.
“In this all-available scenario, any franchise lacking a long-term lock at quarterback would be canvassing the country for the top prospect,” Rang said. “While the sample size is undeniably tiny, Manning has already demonstrated the requisite size, arm strength, accuracy, and athleticism to project as a future NFL star, like his famous uncles and grandfather.”
But Manning’s rise to the top pick is just the beginning of this speculative draft. Ward, who made waves this past season at Miami, would fall all the way down to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21.
“The Steelers could elect to bring back either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson, but probably wouldn’t if it were guaranteed that one of this year’s top quarterbacks would be available,” Rang said. “Ward has the highlight reels and improbable ascent to warrant his Heisman campaign and early first-round projections, but there are plenty of questions about whether his improvisational style will translate to the NFL. I think it can, but also believe he needs the support of a stout running game and defense like Pittsburgh’s early on.”
As for Sanders, he’s projected to fall even further, all the way down to No. 26 to the Los Angeles Rams, possibly replacing Matthew Stafford in the future.
“Matthew Stafford remains one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, but for a general manager like Les Snead famously willing to flip those picks, using them to invest in the long-term future of the club might be the best way to keep winning,” Rang said. “Sanders isn’t a blue-chip quarterback prospect, but he possesses the smarts and arm to be very successful in the NFL. After all, he led the country in passing yards this past season while operating out of former NFL head coach Pat Shurmur’s offense. At this point in the draft, Sanders’ upside is just too flashy to ignore, especially for a young coach like Sean McVay, and in a big market like Los Angeles that’s always searching for new talent.”
This speculative “what-if?” scenario is a thrilling thought experiment that adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming draft. However, for college football fans, the reality of underclassmen entering the draft might be more of a nightmare than a dream. With NIL deals keeping many players in college longer, the prospect of seeing top talent jump to the pros early would change the fabric of the sport.
Rang’s hypothetical mock draft presents an intriguing alternative reality, but the likelihood of these changes actually happening remains a fantasy for now.
Rang’s full mock draft can be viewed here at Fox Sports.