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NFL minicamp 2025 live updates: Saquon Barkley refreshed, ready to run it back

  • NFL NationJun 10, 2025, 06:10 PM ET

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      NFL Nation is made up of 32 team-specific reporters who cover the NFL year-round across ESPN.com, ESPN television shows, ESPN Radio, ESPN+ and social media platforms. It was established ahead of the 2013 season.

The NFL’s 2025 mandatory minicamps have kicked into full gear this week. ESPN’s NFL reporters are on the ground to provide information on position battles, notable appearances from new faces, compelling quotes from coaches and players and give updates on injuries and holdout situations.

We will have updates every day of camp to keep you informed on all the latest Here’s what you need to know from Tuesday camps across the league:

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What our NFL Nation reporters saw today

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow spent some extra time on the practice field getting some throws in after Day 1 of the team’s mandatory minicamp. When he spoke to reporters afterwards, he said the bonus throws were to help him get into a rhythm ahead of the upcoming season. And he also referenced the surgery on the scapholunate ligament in his right wrist in 2023 and how he is still working on his throwing motion.

“I talked about last year still wasn’t quite back to throwing it the way that I expect,” Burrow said. “That’s improved this year.” Burrow believes things such as his throwing motion and the efficiency in his release will get better with more reps. For Burrow, seeing that improvement is “addicting.”

“That’s exciting for me to feel that improvement. That’s what keeps you coming back,” he said. All of those things could play a key role in the Bengals playing well at the start of the season.

Bills quarterback Josh Allen returned to practice after missing voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) last week. The reason? The new jewelry on his left ring finger.

Allen married his fiancée, Hailee Steinfeld, on May 31, but said he’s used to wearing the band. “We’re back to football, got some hardware now,” Allen said smiling. If there’s an offseason competition, Allen is doing pretty well — also winning MVP and receiving a record-setting extension.

Coach Sean McDermott noted how it was impressive that Allen was the first one at meetings they had with players on Monday.

“It’s been fun to watch him grow, but really appreciate him being here, because this is his team,” McDermott said. “He is our unquestioned leader … and what he does is, first and foremost, lead by example.” — Alaina Getzenberg

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley set a career high with 345 carries during the regular season and added 91 more during their Super Bowl run, but said his body isn’t dealing the effects.

“I feel really good,” Barkley said as Philadelphia wrapped its one-day minicamp. “I feel like I’m entering my prime.”

Barkley said he took some time off and made sure not to overdo it in his training post-Super Bowl to recover from the long season. He set the all-time single-season rushing record, including playoffs, last season and capped the campaign by securing his first Lombardi Trophy, but remains hungry for more.

“The thing that drives me is the same thing that’s driven me since I was a little kid. I’ve said this since I’ve gotten into the league and I don’t mean it in an arrogant way: I want to be the best running back to ever play, or at least one of the best running backs to ever play. The love of the game, wanting to win and wanting to compete and wanting to be great is always going to push me no matter if we win four Super Bowls.” — Tim McManus

Broncos coach Sean Payton has consistently said how much he favors big-framed wide receivers in his offense and the benefits for quarterback Bo Nix were on display Tuesday. Courtland Sutton and rookie Pat Bryant — two of the six wide receivers on the current roster who are at least 6-foot-2 — made two of the most notable catches in drills in the first mandatory minicamp practice. The Broncos know opposing defensive coordinators will try to force Nix to work areas of the field he may not want to, so having physical receivers — plus new tight end Evan Engram — who can routinely win contested catches along the sidelines and in the red zone will help Nix navigate his second second year.

“Very long, great hands, it makes it tough … and they can line up anywhere,” Broncos safety Brandon Jones said. — Jeff Legwold

The arrival of defensive end Bryce Huff in last week’s trade with the Eagles has the 49ers dreaming of reclaiming the dominant pass rush they had in their 2019 run to the Super Bowl. The early returns indicate that Huff could bring a speed element off the edge the Niners have been lacking. In fact, both left tackle Trent Williams and coach Kyle Shanahan invoked the name of the last speedy edge rusher to truly complement Nick Bosa as a means of comparison for Huff. “When you talk about just getting off the ball and how fast he does it, he will be our best get off the ball guy we’ve had since Dee Ford,” Shanahan said. “It’s good to beat tackles that way, but also widens tackles to help with the inside pass rush and things like that and he affects the quarterback.” — Nick Wagoner

During team and seven-on-seven drills, the connection between quarterback Dak Prescott and newly-acquired receiver George Pickens was spot-on. They hooked up for five completions, including a deep out and a yards-after-catch on a drag that had Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb meeting Pickens well down the field. It was also a good day for receiver Jonathan Mingo, acquired midseason last year, who got a go ball from Prescott. — Todd Archer

Las Vegas Raiders starting left tackle Kolton Miller, who briefly held out of the voluntary offseason workout program due to a contract dispute, made a clear message after the first day of mandatory minicamp: He wants to be a Raider for life.

“I don’t want to go anywhere else,” he said Tuesday.

Miller is entering the final year of a three-year, $54 million contract extension that he signed in 2021. He has a cap hit of $15.68 million in 2025 but doesn’t have any guaranteed money left on his current deal.

Miller elected not to skip the team’s organized team activity practices and minicamp because he’s excited about the culture coach Pete Carroll is trying to establish and wants to continue his role as a leader on the offensive line.

Miller has been a solid presence on the Raiders’ offensive line since they took him in the first round of the 2018 draft. The former UCLA lineman has started in 107 of 109 career games in the Silver and Black.

“I’ve been here a long time. And Pete is preaching competition,” Miller said. “We got to make everyone better, including the young guys. So I’m going to continue doing what I’m doing and lead the guys.”

The Raiders have demonstrated a willingness to secure key players on long-term contracts. Defensive end Maxx Crosby, quarterback Geno Smith and punter AJ Cole have received contract extensions during the offseason. — Ryan McFadden

The first day of mandatory minicamp ended with Hunter Renfrow catching a deep pass over the shoulder from backup quarterback Andy Dalton. It’s another sign the former Raiders receiver is coming back strong from missing last season with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease that almost ended his career. It’s also a sign of just how deep the Panthers are at receiver with Renfrow way down the list behind Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. “Every day you see him shine in different ways,” coach Dave Canales said of Renfrow.

“To see him attack a zone, attack leverage off of different releases, it’s so cool because you can coach off that stuff. He makes plays every day.” — David Newton

The Packers might have a Travis Hunter of their own, and his name is Bo Melton.

The backup receiver, who has played in 22 games the last two seasons in Green Bay, not only played his regular position, but he also flipped over to the other side of the ball and played some cornerback during Tuesday’s minicamp practice. It was partially out of necessity after cutting Jaire Alexander and being down a couple of injured corners (Kalen King and Micah Robinson), but coach Matt LaFleur seemed to genuinely believe Melton could play both ways.

Sure enough, within the same team period, Melton caught a pass from Jordan Love and also tried to break up one intended for tight end Tucker Kraft.

“That was definitely confusing,” Love said.

Melton’s brother, Max, is a second-year cornerback with the Cardinals, and Matt LaFleur joked that this was Bo’s chance to show he’s the better defender.

“I know obviously there’s a lot of attention with Hunter down there in Jacksonville with what he’s doing [playing both ways],” LaFleur said. “So we just kind of presented it to him and he said he was up for the challenge.” — Rob Demovsky

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill caught passes in position drills — the first time we’ve seen him do so since he had surgery on his wrist earlier this offseason. Coach Mike McDaniel told reporters at the combine that the goal was for Hill to be ready by the summer, and he appears to be on pace for that. Hill didn’t participate in team drills but this was still a positive step forward for the receiver after a down year in 2024. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore attended an offseason workout for the first time during the mandatory minicamp. He and tackle Laremy Tunsil both participated after skipping the voluntary OTA sessions — though Tunsil had at least worked out here earlier in the offseason. Lattimore looked as you would expect: he got in trouble a couple times by aggressively biting on a fake — once vs. receiver Luke McCaffrey — and other times he broke hard on a receiver to take away an option. But the key for Lattimore — way beyond how he looks in June — is if he performs at a higher level in the season. And if he stays healthy. Lattimore has only played in 26 games the past three years combined. — John Keim

The Saints got some key veterans back who weren’t at the team’s previous spring OTAs. Tyrann Mathieu and Alvin Kamara both returned after skipping the voluntary portion of the offseason, along with safety J.T. Gray and defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd. This is Mathieu’s first practice time since signing a renegotiated contract that lowered his salary.

“I probably could’ve went somewhere else, but I think for me, it’s all about my community, and my family, and just trying to pour into that as much as I can,” he said. “Outside of football, the big reason I’m here is community.”

Taysom Hill was also in attendance for the first time and watched off to the side with tight end Foster Moreau, both of whom are dealing with serious knee injuries. Kellen Moore declined to answer if Hill could participate in training camp in July, saying “that timeline is still pretty far away and we’ll worry about that when it gets there, but he’s been impressive through this whole process.” — Katherine Terrell

The Vikings got a welcome sight Tuesday on the first day of mandatory minicamp. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw participated in position drills for the first time since tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee in October 2024.

Darrisaw is not yet cleared to participate in team drills, and that isn’t likely to happen anytime soon. Initial timetables suggested that he would not be ready for a full practice at the start of training camp and would be pressed to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. The Vikings signed a new swing tackle during free agency, Justin Skule, and he has been working in Darrisaw’s spot during 11-on-11 drills this spring.

It’s not yet clear if Darrisaw’s recovery time has sped up. Every knee injury is different, but for reference, tight end T.J. Hockenson returned 315 days after suffering a similar injury to his right knee. — Kevin Seifert

Leaguewide, several players seeking new contracts are skipping mandatory minicamp. There’s none of that with the Jets. They have a handful of players who would like new contracts — most notably, cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson — but their Day 1 attendance was 100%, according to coach Aaron Glenn. The presence of Gardner and Wilson reflects the positive vibes that have emanated from Glenn’s first offseason. He’s trying to change the culture, and it certainly helps to have buy-in from two of the best players on the team.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about with other guys holding out (around the league), but our guys come to compete — and that’s who they are,” Glenn said. “Listen, I don’t take that lightly, either. I’m appreciative, but I know how they’re built, too. Those guys come to work.”

Wilson, in particular, had a good day on the field. Reunited with former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, Wilson made three sideline catches in the first 11-on-11 period, including a nifty toe-tap along the boundary on an off-platform throw by Fields. — Rich Cimini

Tight end Kyle Pitts was in the building Tuesday, but not outside practicing due to an injury, according to head coach Raheem Morris. Pitts has been banged up this spring and missed OTAs practices, as well. The mercurial former No. 4 overall pick, who has dealt with injuries and inconsistency, is going into a contract year and Morris said he feels good about Pitts and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. jelling in 2024.

“[Pitts] has very high standards for himself and I feel really good about those two working together and absolutely getting a better result,” Morris said.

Pitts had a historic rookie season in 2021, but has not found that level since. Falcons Pro Bowl right guard Chris Lindstrom said it’s a collective goal for Atlanta to have the best offense in the NFL this season. If that comes to fruition, Pitts will have to be a big part of it. — Marc Raimondi

Rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders continue to show improved comfort in the Browns’ offense as Cleveland’s four-way QB competition progresses into mandatory minicamp.

Sanders’ first pass of team drills went for a deep touchdown, while Gabriel threw one of his best passes of the spring, lofting a high-arching pass into the end zone for a score during red zone drills.

“These guys are all well coached when we get them, but there’s things in the NFL game, just the rules are different in some areas. So I think all these guys are making really good progress,” coach Kevin Stefanski said after practice. — Daniel Oyefusi

Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was dealing with what head coach Liam Coen called “general soreness” in his right arm, but Coen said there is no concern about an injury.

Lawrence — who had offseason surgery to repair a sprained AC joint in his left (non-throwing) shoulder — was still a full participant in the first day of the Jaguars’ three-day minicamp. He wore a sleeve on his throwing arm, which he also did last week.

“We threw a lot of balls last week and really leading up into he feels good [and] he said it wasn’t really an issue,” Coen said. “It was more sometimes when you just have something to keep it warm, just helps any type of thrower. So I think that was more just maintenance than it is anything that’s really bothering him.” — Mike DiRocco

The Bucs’ red zone defense won the day. Linebacker Haason Reddick notched what would have been a sack on quarterback Baker Mayfield working against Luke Goedeke. Veteran linebacker Anthony Nelson also notched a would-be sack, as did rookie Elijah Roberts. Plus, safety Tykee Smith was able to strip the ball from Jalen McMillan in the end zone to prevent a touchdown. — Jenna Laine

NFL

Source: Bengals to release longtime LB Pratt

  • Ben BabyJun 9, 2025, 01:24 PM ET

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      Ben Baby covers the Cincinnati Bengals for ESPN. He joined the company in July 2019. Prior to ESPN, he worked for various newspapers in Texas, most recently at The Dallas Morning News where he covered college sports. He provides daily coverage of the Bengals for ESPN.com, while making appearances on SportsCenter, ESPN’s NFL shows and ESPN Radio programs. A native of Grapevine, Texas, he graduated from the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He is an adjunct journalism professor at Southern Methodist University and a member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA).

CINCINNATI — A longtime Cincinnati Bengals starting defender is looking for a new team for the upcoming season.

Cincinnati will release linebacker Germaine Pratt on Tuesday, a source confirmed to ESPN. The move comes ahead of the team’s mandatory minicamp, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday.

Pratt has been a starter in each of the past six seasons and was an instrumental part of the team’s back-to-back AFC North titles and AFC championship appearances in 2021 and 2022.

NFL Network first reported news of Pratt’s release.

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Pratt, 29, was set to enter the final year of a three-year contract extension he signed in 2023. While the Bengals will incur a $2.3 million dead cap charge with Pratt’s release, they will gain $5.9 million in savings on the 2025 cap.

Pratt was one of the longest-tenured Bengals on the roster. Pratt and tight end

NFL

Justin Jefferson building rapport with J.J. McCarthy at Vikings' OTAs

  • Kevin SeifertJun 8, 2025, 06:00 AM ET

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      Kevin Seifert is a staff writer who covers the Minnesota Vikings and the NFL at ESPN. Kevin has covered the NFL for over 20 years, joining ESPN in 2008. He was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia.

EAGAN, Minn. — About midway through the Minnesota Vikings’ fourth OTA of the spring, receiver Justin Jefferson lined up on the left side of the formation. The play was a familiar one: A quick pass to Jefferson, who would then work toward the sideline in search of open grass.

On this occasion, however, quarterback J.J. McCarthy threw a bit too quickly and too far ahead. The ball sailed past Jefferson and out of bounds.

McCarthy’s pass didn’t seem inaccurate as much as it illustrated a case of imperfect timing between a star playmaker and a quarterback taking the initial extended first-team reps of his NFL career.

In that moment, it was easy to understand why Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell spent time this winter convincing Jefferson to attend the voluntary workouts that he had mostly skipped in recent years. Early June is a better time to work through the twists of a quarterback-receiver relationship than July, August or beyond — especially when one of them has as many unique traits as Jefferson.

Catch up on the NFL offseason

• Offseason dates | OTAs and minicamps
• 10 lingering questions | 2025 schedules
• Draft pick analysis | Kiper’s draft grades
• Free agency grades | Top remaining FAs
Draft | Free agency | Coaching hires

“I feel like it’s more of for the [quarterbacks] than for me,” Jefferson said. “I mean, it really doesn’t matter who’s throwing the ball. As soon as the ball gets close to my face, I’m going to try to catch it. It doesn’t matter how fast the ball is going, the spin of it, or if it’s coming from a lefty or a righty.

“I mean, my job is to catch the ball. So I feel like this is more for the quarterback to see the tempo of the routes, seeing how I run the routes, seeing the different moves that I add on to my routes. And I feel like working with that is more of a quarterback thing than a receiver thing.”

That partially explains why Jefferson hasn’t felt the urgency to attend voluntary workouts in recent years, even as the Vikings transitioned from quarterback Kirk Cousins to Sam Darnold in 2024. During the past two seasons, after all, Jefferson has played with five different starting quarterbacks and still ranked atop the NFL with an average of 96.6 yards per game.

Justin Jefferson racked up 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns on 103 catches last season with Sam Darnold as the starting quarterback. AP Photo/Abbie Parr

He always attended mandatory minicamps, but O’Connell spoke to him about the value of participating in the voluntary portion this spring as well, not only to help McCarthy and new backup

The NFL Players Association has spoken out in recent years about the pressure players feel to attend voluntary workouts. But Jefferson, who finalized a contract extension at the end of the 2024 offseason, said that he was “most likely going to be here anyway” and added that it was a “no-brainer” when “they asked me to be here for part of it.”

Jefferson added: “It’s definitely important to gain a little bit of sight of what the new year is going to look like, and to build that connection with my teammates and especially with my quarterback … It definitely feels great to be here a little earlier than normal.”

Regardless of why and how he ended up spending his spring in Minnesota, Jefferson appears determined to make the most of it. He was a regular on the front row at Target Center during the Minnesota Timberwolves’ postseason run to the NBA’s Western Conference finals, and he hosted a youth camp at the team facility last month.

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NFL

Meet the QBs in the 2026 NFL draft class: Strengths, weaknesses for 22 intriguing prospects

  • Jordan ReidJun 6, 2025, 06:25 AM ET

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      Jordan Reid is an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting on the nation’s top pro prospects. Jordan joined ESPN in 2021 and also contributes to SportsCenter and ESPN Radio. He played quarterback at North Carolina Central University and then went on to coach there from 2014-18.

After only two first-round picks at quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft, the 2026 NFL draft is expected to have a lot more exciting options. Several already stand out — Cade Klubnik (Clemson), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Drew Allar (Penn State) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) jump to mind — and that doesn’t even include ballyhooed Texas sophomore Arch Manning, who has started just two college games.

While Manning might stay in college until 2027, I’m going to group him in with the top 22 draft-eligible passers below. I’ll also answer a couple of questions about NFL teams that might be taking a long look at these signal-callers. Players in each section are listed in alphabetical order.

Jump to a section:
Top names | Best of rest | Questions

Top names to know

Height: 6-foot-5 | Weight: 238 pounds
Class: Senior

Where he excels Allar experienced a leap in his development in 2024, increasing his completion percentage from 59.9% in 2023 to 66.5%. The big, prototypical pocket passer excelled under first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, throwing for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns with eight interceptions. His upper-tier arm strength gives him the confidence to test challenging throwing windows in intermediate areas. He also has enough mobility for his size to escape defenders in the pocket.

Where he needs work: While Allar’s completion percentage made a major leap, his ball placement was still inconsistent. He too often puts the ball on the wrong shoulder and his throws can be too high or too low on what should be easy completions. His performance against top-ranked teams has also been woefully inconsistent. Scouts will be watching him closely against Oregon (Sept. 27) and Ohio State (Nov. 1). Penn State is the top-ranked team in ESPN’s post-spring Way-Too-Early Top 25, but it will need Allar to play better in showcase games to live up to that billing.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220
Class: Sixth-year senior

Where he excels: Beck was regarded as a candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2025 but had a disappointing final season at Georgia, throwing for 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He now has a chance to revive his stock at Miami, which just produced the No. 1 pick in April’s draft in Cameron Ward. Beck is a rhythmic passer who plays well when he gets into an early groove. He gets the ball out in a hurry and is a true distributor who can spread the ball around the field.

Where he needs work: Beck experiences rough stretches with accuracy, especially when he isn’t sharp early. Last year’s Alabama game perfectly encapsulated Beck’s inconsistency, as he threw two interceptions while completing 47% of his first-half passes. Then, he turned it around with 339 passing yards and three touchdowns in the second half to lead a near-comeback. He was a roller coaster in 2024, but there’s a reason many evaluators had him as the QB1 entering last season. Miami’s offense has Air Raid principles, which should accent his gifts as a passer.

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Carson Beck’s best plays of the season for Georgia

Take a look at Carson Beck’s best plays of 2024 for Georgia after announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
Class: Senior

Where he excels: Klubnik entered 2024 with question marks after a rough sophomore season but emerged as a star, finishing with 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes to only six interceptions. He’s able to repeat his mechanics and keep his eyes, feet and throwing motion in sync while going through his progressions. Klubnik saved his best game of the season for the first round of the College Football Playoff, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns against Texas. He should be set up for success in 2025, as Clemson returns its top three receivers. That’s a big reason why he was the No. 1 pick in my Way Too Early 2026 mock draft.

Where he needs work: Scouts around the league I’ve talked to have raised concerns about Klubnik’s arm strength and whether he can build on his 2024 success. Questions about his arm surface when he’s forced to test tight windows in underneath coverage and with his inconsistent trajectory on deep passes. Klubnik averaged only 8.56 air yards per passing attempt in 2024, ranking 58th in the FBS. He must be more assertive and willing to challenge coverage in intermediate and deep areas.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
Class: Redshirt sophomore

Where he excels: Leavitt was a revelation last season after transferring from Michigan State, passing for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship and the College Football Playoff. He’s a calm and poised passer whose 80 QBR was the 10th-best rate in the FBS. Leavitt always seems to be in control and consistently makes the correct play from the pocket. He’s at his best in play-action, as he can turn his back to the defense and reset his eyes to make throws.

Early look at the 2026 NFL draft

• Reid’s way-too-early mock draft
• Top prospects, QBs | Read more

Where he needs work: Leavitt has only 13 career starts, so the sample size is relatively small. He tends to be too bouncy in the pocket and needs to be more consistent in taking options that are available to him early in progressions. He’ll also face a lot more pressure this season, with star running back Cam Skattebo off to the NFL and the Sun Devils not being a sleeper team anymore after their conference title win. Leavitt will be counted on as the catalyst of Arizona State’s offense.

Height: 6-4 | Weight: 222
Class: Redshirt sophomore

Where he excels: Manning has started just two college games, throwing for 583 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in those starts. He has a well-put-together frame, allowing him to avoid defenders in the pocket and bounce off tacklers in open space as a runner. Manning has a picture-perfect base and smooth delivery as a passer. He doesn’t have much experience in that department, as Texas used him primarily as a runner in 2024, but his prototypical build and physical tools were apparent on tape and give him immense potential. He will be under the tutelage of one of the country’s best QB developers in Steve Sarkisian, but Manning’s lack of experience makes him more likely to be in the 2027 draft class at the earliest.

Where he needs work: Manning has only 95 career passing attempts, so his sample size is small and more development is necessary. He had a habit of sticking to his primary read too long in his starts, leading to poor decision-making. He will need to improve his timing in getting through progressions and knowing when to move off his first read. He could also use his mobility much more on non-designed QB runs to help string together positive plays. He’ll be tested on these things early, as the Longhorns start the season at defending national champion Ohio State.

Height: 6-1 | Weight: 224
Class: Redshirt junior

Where he excels: Mateer joins the Sooners after three seasons at Washington State. He broke out in 2024, finishing with 3,139 passing yards and 29 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. He’s an aggressive playmaker who has all sorts of funky releases, allowing him to reposition his body and still get the ball out effectively. He has easy arm strength and isn’t hesitant to make far-hash throws. Mateer is a fierce competitor and an extremely effective runner on scrambles and designed QB runs, rushing for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He represents a clear upgrade for an Oklahoma offense that struggled mightily in 2024.

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Where he needs work: Thanks to Washington State’s schedule, Mateer was able to get away with bad habits in the pocket that won’t fly in the SEC. He tends to be a tick slow on reads, relying on his arm power to alleviate tardiness in his progressions. The arm overconfidence also leads to him passing up easier shallow reads for more challenging deeper throws. He’ll be tested against a schedule featuring eight SEC schools and a

Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225
Class: Redshirt junior

Where he excels: Mendoza arrives at Indiana after being the hub of Cal’s offense in 2024, throwing for 3,004 passing yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions. He has a snappy release that helps the ball come out of his hand with plenty of life. Mendoza is a precise passer who puts the ball in the proper place for his receivers, as evidenced by his FBS-best 5.1% off-target percentage last season. He is effective throwing from inside or outside the framework of the offense, ranking ninth in the FBS with a 91.1 QBR on throws outside of the pocket. He also excels at identifying and attacking advantageous one-on-one coverage situations.

Where he needs work: Mendoza’s escapability and effectiveness throwing from outside the pocket can lead to him being impatient and breaking the pocket prematurely. He needs to have more patience in letting concepts unfold, especially now that he will face upgraded defenses in the Big Ten. But Indiana’s offense is eerily similar to what he operated at Cal, giving Mendoza a chance to be a breakout candidate in 2025.

Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Class: Fifth-year senior

Where he excels: Nussmeier was up and down in his first season as a starter after replacing Jayden Daniels, throwing for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett has a firm grasp of defensive structures and coverages. He has the most jaw-dropping highlight tape of any QB in the class, as he routinely delivers the ball to where his targets are supposed to be. He also has a flexible arm, which allows him to alter his arm slots while maintaining accuracy.

Where he needs work: Nussmeier’s confidence and daredevil mentality can sometimes backfire. Though he doesn’t get sacked often (his 2.9% sack percentage was the 12th lowest in the FBS), he can be careless with the ball, especially against better defenses. He had three games of two or more interceptions against ranked teams in 2024. A lot of these mistakes happen when he is flushed from the pocket, where his decision-making must improve.

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Garrett Nussmeier launches a 41-yard dime to Chris Hilton Jr. for an LSU TD

Chris Hilton Jr. catches a 41-yard throw from Garrett Nussmeier to pad the Tigers’ lead.

Height: 6-3 | Weight: 242
Class: Redshirt sophomore

Where he excels: Sellers is a toolsy, explosive dual-threat passer who completed 65.6% of his passes for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns. On the ground, he rushed for 674 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He can easily throw to every level of the field and his compact, strong frame makes him a game changer on designed QB runs. Sellers’ unique strength and vision in the pocket allows him to make plays in unfavorable situations. Many of his top highlights last season were the result of him avoiding and shaking off tacklers. His raw ability, tools, youth (he’s 20 years old) and projected ascension are selling points teams are willing to bet on early in the draft.

Where he needs work: The offense Sellers ran last season was a simplistic mixture of mesh concepts, pre-snap reads and an occasional go route. He threw 27.4% of his passes at or behind the line of scrimmage, which ranked 92nd in the FBS. Along with increasing his understanding and advancement of concepts, Sellers needs to take better care of the ball. He had 11 fumbles (six lost) last season. He also needs to make decisions quicker — his 3.06-second average time to throw was the 11th-slowest in the country.

Best of the rest

Rocco Becht, Iowa State

Becht was steady as a third-year sophomore in 2024, throwing for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns with nine interceptions. The son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht has a sudden over-the-top release that fits perfectly in a Cyclones offense that primarily operates in 10 and 11 personnel sets. The 6-1, 210-pound Becht doesn’t have the physical tools of other passers in the class, but he is consistent in keeping his eyes down the field and can make tough throws with pressure in his face.

Aidan Chiles, Michigan State

Chiles transferred to Michigan State from Oregon State prior to the 2024 season. He passed for 2,415 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with the Spartans and has an explosive throwing release, leading to exciting flash plays when protected. But protection was a problem for the 6-3, 217-pound Chiles, who was pressured on 42.3% of his dropbacks (eighth highest in FBS). That led to a lot of turnover-worthy plays, especially early last season.

Taylen Green, Arkansas

Green enters his second season with the Razorbacks after spending his first three years at Boise State. He’s a big, dynamic dual-threat passer at 6-6, 230 pounds who had 602 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground last season. He threw for 3,154 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Green’s throwing motion is a bit elongated, and he needs to work on his consistency in rhythm from the pocket.

Catch up on the NFL offseason

• Offseason dates | OTAs and minicamps
• 10 lingering questions | 2025 schedules
• Draft pick analysis | Kiper’s draft grades
• Free agency grades | Top remaining FAs
Draft | Free agency | Coaching hires

Mark Gronowski, Iowa

Gronowski had a historic career at South Dakota State, leading the Jackrabbits to two national championships and tying for the most-ever wins (49) for an FCS starting quarterback. He flirted with entering the 2025 NFL draft and even got an invite to the combine but decided to go to Iowa, whose offense showed improvement in 2024. The 6-3, 230-pounder is a densely built passer who can also make plays with his legs.

Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh

Holstein thrived as Pitt’s starter last season after transferring from Alabama, throwing for 2,225 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions. The 6-4, 225-pound Holstein is a strong-armed passer who can push the ball down the field with ease. He needs to play with more control and improve his ball placement, as his 14.7% off-target percentage ranked 100th in the FBS.

Josh Hoover, TCU

Hoover broke out as a redshirt freshman in 2024 with 3,949 passing yards and 27 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. The 6-2, 200-pounder possesses a compact release that allows him to get the ball out in a hurry. His 25 completions on passes of 20-plus air yards were the 12th most in the FBS last season.

Nico Iamaleava, UCLA

Iamaleava’s offseason was eventful and ended up with him leaving Tennessee to play for the Bruins. He finished his first season as a starter with 2,616 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The 6-6, 215-pound Iamaleava is a slender, fluid passer with the arm talent to get the ball to his desired spots, but he struggled with his touch and accuracy on deeper passes. That will be worth watching this fall, as will his adjustment from the Vols’ unconventional passing offense to a more pro-style UCLA scheme.

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How Nico Iamaleava ended up at UCLA

Check out the timeline that led to Nico Iamaleava going from Tennessee to UCLA.

Kevin Jennings, SMU

Jennings was a breakout star in his first season as a starter, throwing for 3,245 yards and 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while adding 354 rushing yards and five ground touchdowns. The 6-0, 189-pounder is a blur that defenses struggled to contain thanks to his mobility and decision-making as a passer. His lack of size and quickness with the ball in his hands could make Jennings a candidate to play another position in the NFL.

Avery Johnson, Kansas State

With 2,712 passing yards and a school-record 25 touchdown passes, Johnson was the engine of Kansas State’s offense last season. The thinly built 6-2, 192-pounder also ran for 605 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s equally effective throwing and running, as he rushed for 50 or more yards in seven games last season. He needs to continue to develop as a passer, having thrown 10 interceptions last season, but Johnson is one of the most dangerous dual-threat QBs in the country.

Haynes King, Georgia Tech

King is entering his third season as Georgia Tech’s starter after playing his first three seasons at Texas A&M. His passing numbers fell from 2,842 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2023 to 2,114 and 14, respectively, in 2024. But the 6-3, 215-pound King took care of the ball last season (two interceptions) and was effective on designed runs, rushing for 587 yards and 11 touchdowns. He can be explosive on the ground, but King needs to unlock the next level of his passing development.

Darian Mensah, Duke

Mensah was a big transfer portal pickup for Duke, as he passed for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions for Tulane last season. The 6-3, 200-pounder throws from a balanced, strong base and has good ball placement, completing 65.9% of his passes. The third-year sophomore plays with lots of poise and control while showing strong mechanics and pocket presence. Scouts will be monitoring how well Mensah handles the step-up in competition from the AAC to the ACC.

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Miller Moss, Louisville

Moss transferred to Louisville after spending four seasons at USC. He started nine games in 2024, finishing with 2,555 passing yards and 18 touchdowns to nine interceptions. The 6-1, 205-pounder has below average arm strength, so he relies heavily on anticipation in short and intermediate throws. He’s capable of buying time with his legs and creating out of structure. He steps into a good situation, as Louisville coach Jeff Brohm is one of the best QB developers in the country. Brohm helped Aidan O’Connell and Tyler Shough become NFL draft picks.

Sawyer Robertson, Baylor

Robertson ignited Baylor’s offense in 2024, finishing with the seventh-best QBR in the FBS (82.9). The 6-4, 220-pound Robertson is a decisive passer who understands how to attack different coverage looks. He was especially effective down the stretch, throwing for 17 touchdowns to only four interceptions during the Bears’ six-game win streak to end the regular season. Robertson will aim to build on that run in his second year as a full-time starter.

Other QBs to watch: Ty Simpson (Alabama), Conner Weigman (Houston), Maalik Murphy (Oregon State), Tommy Castellanos (Florida State), Noah Fifita (Arizona), Byrum Brown (USF), Kyron Drones (Virginia Tech), Dante Moore (Oregon), Kaidon Salter (Colorado), Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), Jayden Maiava (USC), Luke Altmyer (Illinois), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), Joey Aguilar (Tennessee), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), Behren Morton (Texas Tech), Jake Retzlaff (BYU)

Big QB questions for NFL teams

At this point, which team most needs to draft a QB to build around?

Pittsburgh Steelers. Drafting Will Howard in Round 6 this year hardly answered the Steelers’ long-term quarterback questions. The team is set to sign Aaron Rodgers, but he’ll be 42 years old in December. The Steelers currently have eight picks in 2026 (their seven selections plus Dallas’ third-rounder from the George Pickens trade) and could get up to four additional compensatory selections. Expect the Steelers to be aggressive next spring in their search for a franchise quarterback, especially since the 2026 draft will be in Pittsburgh.

Best of NFL Nation

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Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have two first-round picks in 2026 and could get aggressive with a trade up for Matthew Stafford’s heir apparent. Stafford is entering his age-37 season on a reworked two-year contract, so the Rams have time to identify a signal-caller from what should be a strong 2026 crop. They could draft a passer next year and be afforded the luxury of having him learn behind Stafford for a full season.

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