2035 NFL Draft — Full QB Scouting Report Breakdown (12 Prospects)
Grades scale: 🏆 Rare > Elite Plus > Elite > Very Good > Good > Solid > Mediocre > Marginal > Terrible
#1 — Blake Caldwell | Appalachian State | 6'3" 226 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.89 | Wonderlic: 33 | Bench: Solid | 3-Cone: Mediocre | Vertical: Good
Production: 31 TD / 8 INT / 66.1 Comp% | 67 Rush Yds / 1 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Very Good
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Good | Short Accuracy: Elite | Intermediate Accuracy: Elite | Deep Accuracy: Elite | Anticipation: Very Good | Reading Defenses: 🏆 Rare | Off-Platform Escape: Marginal | Off-Platform Accuracy: Good | Rushing Threat: Terrible | Footwork: Good | Mechanics: Very Good | Release: Good | Under Pressure: Marginal | Clutch: Very Good
Intangibles: Leadership: Elite Plus | Character: Very Good
Scout Report: The most cerebral passer in this class. His Rare defense-reading grade is virtually unprecedented for a Group of Five prospect. Elite accuracy at all three levels. The concern is zero mobility — Marginal off-platform and a non-factor as a runner. Wonderlic of 33 is among the highest ever recorded for a QB prospect.
Projection: Day 2 Starter | Comp: Alex Smith
#2 — Maverick Jones | LSU | 6'2" 215 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.46 | Wonderlic: 24 | Bench: Solid | 3-Cone: Very Good | Vertical: Elite
Production: 26 TD / 9 INT / 62.3 Comp% | 899 Rush Yds / 13 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Good
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Very Good | Short Accuracy: Solid | Intermediate Accuracy: Solid | Deep Accuracy: Elite Plus | Anticipation: Mediocre | Reading Defenses: Very Good | Off-Platform Escape: Solid | Off-Platform Accuracy: Solid | Rushing Threat: Elite | Footwork: Elite | Mechanics: Good | Release: Elite | Under Pressure: Very Good | Clutch: Elite
Intangibles: Leadership: Solid | Clutch: Elite | Under Pressure: Very Good
Scout Report: Premier dual-threat weapon in this class. 4.46 forty, 899 rush yards, 13 rush TDs, and an Elite Plus deep ball. The concern is Mediocre anticipation — he can be reactionary and struggles to layer throws into tight windows. When he's on, he's near-impossible to game plan for.
Projection: Top-15 Pick | Comp: Lamar Jackson upside
#3 — Wade Harper | UNC | 6'4" 230 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.78 | Wonderlic: 28 | Bench: Solid | 3-Cone: Solid | Vertical: Good
Production: 38 TD / 8 INT / 64.8 Comp% | 678 Rush Yds / 7 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Elite
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Very Good | Short Accuracy: Very Good | Intermediate Accuracy: Very Good | Deep Accuracy: Good | Anticipation: Good | Reading Defenses: Very Good | Off-Platform Escape: Marginal | Off-Platform Accuracy: Mediocre | Rushing Threat: Good | Footwork: Good | Mechanics: Very Good | Release: Good | Under Pressure: Solid | Clutch: Very Good
Intangibles: Leadership: Elite | Character: Elite Plus | Clutch: Very Good
Scout Report: Most pro-ready pocket passer in the draft. Came out of an Elite-graded offense at UNC. 38 TDs and only 8 INTs is impressive volume. Exceptional intangibles — Elite leadership, Elite Plus character. The knock is his off-platform game: Marginal escapability, Mediocre accuracy when things break down. He's a statue in a collapsing pocket.
Projection: Day 1 Starter | Comp: Kirk Cousins profile
#4 — Chris Torres | Texas A&M | 6'1" 195 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.49 | Wonderlic: 26 | Bench: Solid | 3-Cone: Good | Vertical: Good
Production: 26 TD / 3 INT / 68.9 Comp% | 1,222 Rush Yds / 11 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Good
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Very Good | Short Accuracy: Very Good | Intermediate Accuracy: Elite | Deep Accuracy: Solid | Anticipation: Good | Reading Defenses: Good | Off-Platform Escape: 🏆 Rare | Off-Platform Accuracy: 🏆 Rare | Rushing Threat: 🏆 Rare | Footwork: Very Good | Mechanics: Very Good | Release: Elite | Under Pressure: Elite | Clutch: Elite Plus
Intangibles: Leadership: Very Good | Character: Elite Plus | Clutch: Elite Plus | Under Pressure: Elite
Scout Report: The most dynamic playmaker when plays break down. Rare off-platform escape AND accuracy — only once or twice a generation do you see both. Add a Rare rushing threat and 1,222 rush yards. Only 3 interceptions on 68.9% completion is elite ball security. Size (6'1", 195 lbs) is the real concern. His Elite Plus clutch grade means he saves his best for the biggest moments.
Projection: Top-5 upside | Comp: Jalen Hurts 2.0
#5 — Gavin Diaz | Iowa State | 6'0" 202 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.58 | Wonderlic: 30 | Bench: Mediocre | 3-Cone: Elite | Vertical: Very Good
Production: 28 TD / 10 INT / 68.9 Comp% | 155 Rush Yds / 2 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Very Good
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Mediocre | Short Accuracy: Elite Plus | Intermediate Accuracy: Elite Plus | Deep Accuracy: Good | Anticipation: Elite | Reading Defenses: Very Good | Off-Platform Escape: Solid | Off-Platform Accuracy: Very Good | Rushing Threat: Mediocre | Footwork: Elite | Mechanics: Very Good | Release: Good | Under Pressure: Good | Clutch: Very Good
Intangibles: Leadership: Good | Character: Elite | Clutch: Very Good
Scout Report: The most refined anticipation passer in this class. Elite anticipation + Elite Plus short and intermediate accuracy — he processes faster than almost anyone and delivers before receivers break. Elite footwork, Wonderlic of 30. The limitation is arm strength (Mediocre) — he doesn't have the horsepower for some NFL throws. Size (6'0") will also be questioned.
Projection: Day 2 Value | Comp: Drew Brees
#6 — Sterling Shaw | Southern Illinois | 6'2" 209 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.63 | Wonderlic: 21 | Bench: Solid | 3-Cone: Solid | Vertical: Good
Production: 41 TD / 7 INT / 72.4 Comp% | 89 Rush Yds | Offense Grade: Solid
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Solid | Short Accuracy: Elite Plus | Intermediate Accuracy: Elite Plus | Deep Accuracy: Elite Plus | Anticipation: Good | Reading Defenses: Good | Off-Platform Escape: Elite | Off-Platform Accuracy: Elite | Rushing Threat: Mediocre | Footwork: Good | Mechanics: Very Good | Release: Very Good | Under Pressure: Mediocre | Clutch: Elite
Intangibles: Leadership: Elite | Character: Mediocre | Clutch: Elite | Under Pressure: Mediocre
Scout Report: 41 TDs, 7 INTs, 72.4 Comp% — the most staggering raw numbers in the class. Across-the-board Elite Plus accuracy grades and Elite off-platform work. The asterisk: this is FCS (Southern Illinois). Competition-adjusted grades must be weighed carefully. Under Pressure grades only Mediocre. Character is a concern — teams will do thorough background work before drafting.
Projection: Developmental upside | Risk: FCS competition level
#7 — Levi Reddick | Western Kentucky | 6'4" 210 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.52 | Wonderlic: 26 | Bench: Solid | 3-Cone: Very Good | Vertical: Good
Production: 24 TD / 5 INT / 64.2 Comp% | 702 Rush Yds / 11 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Very Good
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Very Good | Short Accuracy: Very Good | Intermediate Accuracy: Very Good | Deep Accuracy: Mediocre | Anticipation: Good | Reading Defenses: Solid | Off-Platform Escape: Terrible | Off-Platform Accuracy: Marginal | Rushing Threat: Elite | Footwork: Very Good | Mechanics: Good | Release: Good | Under Pressure: Good | Clutch: Very Good
Intangibles: Leadership: Good | Character: Good | Clutch: Very Good
Scout Report: The most fascinating contradiction in the class — Elite rushing threat but Terrible off-platform escape. Translation: he runs from structure, not improvisation. He's a designed runner, not a scrambler. Deep accuracy grades at only Mediocre, which caps his ceiling as a vertical passer. Physical tools are there at 6'4" with a 4.52 forty — but scheme fit must be precise.
Projection: Scheme-dependent starter
#8 — Adam Drakeford | Virginia Tech | 6'4" 222 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.98 | Wonderlic: 27 | Bench: Good | 3-Cone: Solid | Vertical: Good
Production: 26 TD / 5 INT / 67.1 Comp% | 316 Rush Yds / 6 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Very Good
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Elite Plus | Short Accuracy: Very Good | Intermediate Accuracy: Very Good | Deep Accuracy: 🏆 Rare | Anticipation: Solid | Reading Defenses: Very Good | Off-Platform Escape: Very Good | Off-Platform Accuracy: Elite Plus | Rushing Threat: Mediocre | Footwork: Marginal | Mechanics: Good | Release: Elite | Under Pressure: Marginal | Clutch: Solid
Intangibles: Leadership: Solid | Character: Solid | Clutch: Solid | Under Pressure: Marginal
Scout Report: The most freakish arm in this draft class. Rare deep accuracy — a once-in-a-decade arm talent. Elite Plus arm strength + Elite Plus off-platform accuracy means he can make throws most NFL QBs physically cannot. The floor concerns are real: Marginal footwork, Marginal under pressure, and a 4.98 forty confirms zero rushing value. If mechanics don't improve with coaching, the arm doesn't translate.
Projection: Boom/bust pick | Comp: Josh Allen arm talent
#9 — Gage Tucker | Michigan | 6'5" 218 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.44 | Wonderlic: 22 | Bench: Solid | 3-Cone: Elite | Vertical: Elite Plus
Production: 23 TD / 9 INT / 61.8 Comp% | 877 Rush Yds / 9 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Good
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Elite | Short Accuracy: Mediocre | Intermediate Accuracy: Mediocre | Deep Accuracy: Good | Anticipation: Solid | Reading Defenses: Marginal | Off-Platform Escape: Elite Plus | Off-Platform Accuracy: Very Good | Rushing Threat: 🏆 Rare | Footwork: Elite | Mechanics: Good | Release: Very Good | Under Pressure: Very Good | Clutch: Good
Intangibles: Leadership: Solid | Character: Elite Plus | Under Pressure: Very Good
Scout Report: The most physically gifted QB in this draft. 6'5", 4.44 forty, Elite Plus vertical, Elite 3-cone, Rare rushing threat. His athleticism is almost incomprehensible for the position. Short and intermediate accuracy both grade Mediocre, defense reading grades Marginal — he's relying on athleticism to mask processing deficiencies. Elite Plus character is a huge positive. A team that develops his pocket game has a franchise QB.
Projection: Highest upside in class | Comp: Cam Newton archetype
#10 — Paxton Cooper | Holy Cross | 6'3" 228 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.55 | Wonderlic: 28 | Bench: Very Good | 3-Cone: Very Good | Vertical: Elite
Production: 23 TD / 10 INT / 71.6 Comp% | 222 Rush Yds / 3 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Good
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Solid | Short Accuracy: Good | Intermediate Accuracy: Very Good | Deep Accuracy: Solid | Anticipation: Solid | Reading Defenses: Elite | Off-Platform Escape: Solid | Off-Platform Accuracy: Very Good | Rushing Threat: Very Good | Footwork: Elite | Mechanics: Good | Release: Very Good | Under Pressure: Very Good | Clutch: Very Good
Intangibles: Leadership: Good | Character: 🏆 Rare | Clutch: Very Good | Under Pressure: Very Good
Scout Report: The biggest wildcard in the class — a Holy Cross product with intriguing grades but serious competition questions. Elite defense-reading is the foundation teams build around. Elite footwork, Very Good under pressure, and a Rare character grade (highest in the entire class) make him one of the most trustworthy humans available. The concern is 23 TDs and 10 INTs against FCS competition doesn't project cleanly.
Projection: Late-round sleeper
#11 — Phoenix Doyle | Oregon | 6'0" 202 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.74 | Wonderlic: 26 | 3-Cone: Elite Plus | Vertical: Very Good
Production: 27 TD / 6 INT / 66.5 Comp% | 555 Rush Yds / 8 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Solid
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Mediocre | Short Accuracy: Very Good | Intermediate Accuracy: Very Good | Deep Accuracy: Very Good | Anticipation: Good | Reading Defenses: Mediocre | Off-Platform Escape: 🏆 Rare | Off-Platform Accuracy: Elite Plus | Rushing Threat: Very Good | Footwork: Very Good | Mechanics: Solid | Release: Solid | Under Pressure: Elite | Clutch: Elite Plus
Intangibles: Leadership: Elite | Character: Marginal | Clutch: Elite Plus | Under Pressure: Elite
Scout Report: The most clutch QB in this class — it isn't close. Elite Plus clutch + Elite under pressure + Rare off-platform escape makes him the guy you want with the game on the line. Arm strength grades only Mediocre — he'll struggle with NFL deep throws on tight windows. Character grades Marginal — extensive vetting required. A scheme that doesn't demand arm strength could unlock a special player.
Projection: Clutch weapon in right system | Risk: Character concerns
#12 — Maddox Jones | USC | 6'5" 235 lbs
Combine: 40 Time: 4.71 | Wonderlic: 17 | Bench: Very Good | 3-Cone: Good | Vertical: Very Good
Production: 15 TD / 11 INT / 61.8 Comp% | 304 Rush Yds / 5 Rush TD | Offense Grade: Good
Film Grades:
Arm Strength: Elite Plus | Short Accuracy: Marginal | Intermediate Accuracy: Marginal | Deep Accuracy: Elite | Anticipation: Marginal | Reading Defenses: Solid | Off-Platform Escape: Elite | Off-Platform Accuracy: Elite | Rushing Threat: Terrible | Footwork: Good | Mechanics: Mediocre | Release: Elite | Under Pressure: Mediocre | Clutch: Solid
Intangibles: Leadership: Mediocre | Character: Solid | Clutch: Solid | Under Pressure: Mediocre
Scout Report: The most polarizing prospect in the class. Elite Plus arm, Elite off-platform accuracy and escape, Elite release speed — when he's on, he looks like the most talented QB in the room. But short and intermediate accuracy both grade Marginal. Mechanics: Mediocre. Wonderlic of 17 is near the bottom of the class. Anticipation: Marginal. 15 TDs / 11 INTs at USC confirms this is a project. Massive boom-bust.
Projection: High-risk project | Warning: Marginal accuracy at every level
Grades: 🏆 Rare > Elite Plus > Elite > Very Good > Good > Solid > Mediocre > Marginal > Terrible