NFL QB stock report: Two from the class of 2025 improving, Cam Ward struggling

The 2025 NFL Draft class was not exactly the most highly regarded class we've seen in recent memory, but they've done a pretty good job of already exceeding expectations.

Going into the 2025 offseason, all of the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints felt confident in building around their potential franchise quarterbacks: Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, and Tyler Shough.

Although those three players all showed us different levels of NFL-readiness last season, all have been expected to take that big "next step" in their game for the 2026 season. And with one game left in the preseason, it seems like two of those players are well on their way to doing so. Cam Ward, surprisingly, is the one struggling the most.

We're going to take a look at each of the top three quarterbacks from last year's class and what they've shown during training camp, joint practices, and preseason games, and whether their stock is on the rise or pointing down.

2025 NFL QB class update: Cam Ward struggling, Jaxson Dart & Tyler Shough improving

Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans -- Stock DOWN

Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball on Twitter/X) recently brought up some pretty startling numbers regarding 2025 top pick Cam Ward. On 25 dropbacks this preseason, Ward has 0 completions of longer than 7 air yards (to be fair, Gunnar Helm probably should have made a play for him on one of these). It's one thing to overly dissect preseason stats, but this was an issue for Ward last season as well.

He ranked 36th out of 36 qualifiers last season, completing 43 percent of his throws last season of 7 or more air yards.

We are definitely seeing Ward struggle to get on the same page with his receivers and run the offense at the level we would expect from a starter in the NFL. Ward's ball security has also come into question after a Seahawks defender chased him down from behind and knocked the ball out of his hands for a fumble while Ward was outside the pocket.

There is simply far too much talent with Ward to be overly concerned at this point, and it's okay that his stock is pointing down. It's the preseason. But we need to see some marked growth from him in the regular season.

Jaxson Dart, New York Giants -- Stock UP

The Giants are happy about the progress Jaxson Dart has made this offseason, and they have taken measures to help protect him after the hit he took in the preseason opener against the Vikings.

The combination of Dart taking a big step in his game this offseason along with Malik Nabers making really good progress in his return from injury definitely has the Giants in a good position entering the 2026 season.

The hiring of head coach John Harbaugh should provide some really good stability for this young team. Although Dart showed his tremendous upside as a rookie, that was obviously not the best situation with players going down with injuries all around him, the offensive weaponry being almost completely depleted, and Dart himself taking way too many ugly hits.

What we saw after he came back onto the field in the preseason game against the Vikings is exactly what makes him such a special player. Dart knows how to win when he's operating the offense, but he's exceptional when he has to get outside the pocket and be a playmaker.

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints

It's possible that New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is poised to have the biggest leap in year two out of all the quarterbacks on this list.

Shough was outstanding late last season for the Saints, proving himself as a dual-threat and running Kellen Moore's offense like a veteran, but there have still been plenty of doubters that last season was just a mirage.

Shough is doing his best this offseason to prove those doubters wrong.

He did really well in joint practices against the Dallas Cowboys, and he's done a good job throughout the course of camp with the Saints' skill position players going down with injuries. Those guys will obviously be a huge part of the equation this year, but Shough looks like he's going to be able to be the tide raising all boats in the harbor before too long.

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