Icon Sportswire/Getty Images

Mel Kiper Jr. Names 'Favorite' Quarterback In 2025 NFL Draft

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 1:36 PM ET

Mel Kiper Jr. frequently gets asked about the same top prospects ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. He recently identified some sleepers further down the draft board.

On Sunday morning, ESPN published Kiper's "favorite" draft prospects by position. Rather than his best player at each spot, the list highlighted an unheralded target he likes more than the pack.

For quarterback, Kiper chose a well-traveled college standout. The draft guru celebrated Dillon Gabriel as a "winner", noting that he triumphed in 46 of 63 career starts with three different programs.

"At 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, Gabriel is a rhythm passer with pinpoint accuracy and really impressive timing," Kiper wrote. "He sees the field well, makes quick decisions and gets the ball out on time and on target. He completed 72.9% of his throws last season (third in the nation), and he was off target 6.1% of the time (second best). And Gabriel doesn't throw interceptions or turn the ball over. In six seasons, he has never thrown more than seven picks. Gabriel is sort of a poor man's Tua Tagovailoa in the way he plays (and not just because they are both lefties)."

Kiper noted that he's high on Shedeur Sanders, deviating from the consensus by ranking the Colorado star over Cam Ward as his No. 1 quarterback. However, Sanders didn't fit this exercise as a probable first-round pick.

Meanwhile, Kiper anticipates Gabriel going in the fourth or fifth round. He has the 24-year-old as his No. 8 quarterback.

Gabriel began his collegiate career at UCF, throwing 61 touchdowns in his first two seasons. He transferred to Oklahoma after a fractured left clavicle ended his 2021 campaign early.

After throwing 25 touchdowns in 2022, Gabriel amassed 30 scores with a career-high 9.5 yards per pass attempt in 2023. During his final year of college eligibility, he led Oregon to a Big Ten title with an undefeated record before losing to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

While Gabriel offers accuracy and pocket poise, he's also smaller than the typical NFL quarterback without considerable arm strength. But perhaps a team will listen to Kiper and snag him later in the draft, which runs from Thursday through Saturday.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: