NFL Draft Expansion Rumors: Could Teams Add a 7th Round Pick Just for Quarterbacks?

The NFL is considering allowing teams to add a seventh round pick in the 2025 Draft specifically to target quarterbacks, according to multiple reports from league insiders. This potential rule change—first reported by The Athletic and later confirmed by NFL Network—would mark the first expansion of the seven-round draft since 2012 and directly address the league’s growing quarterback crisis.

The move would give teams greater flexibility to address their QB needs, particularly after the 2024 season saw multiple franchises finish with interim quarterbacks or face long-term uncertainty at the position. With the 2025 NFL Draft set for April 24–26 in Nashville, Tennessee (UTC-5), the league is evaluating whether to implement this change before the draft.

Why the NFL Might Add a 7th Round Pick for Quarterbacks

The NFL’s quarterback position has become a critical bottleneck, with multiple teams finishing the 2024 season without a clear long-term solution. According to ESPN, at least six franchises entered the offseason with significant QB questions, including:

• The Detroit Lions, who drafted Jared Goff in 2016 but have struggled to develop a franchise QB.
• The New York Jets, who released Aaron Rodgers and now face a long rebuild.
• The Atlanta Falcons, who lost Kirk Cousins to free agency and have no clear successor.
• The Miami Dolphins, who drafted Tua Tagovailoa in 2020 but still lack a proven backup.
• The Carolina Panthers, who drafted Sam Darnold in 2018 and have yet to find a QB of the future.
• The San Francisco 49ers, who may need to address Brock Purdy’s contract situation.

League sources told NFL.com that the idea originated from team owners concerned about the lack of QB depth in the league. “The market for QBs is broken,” one executive said. “Teams are either overpaying in free agency or drafting late-round QBs who don’t pan out. This gives them a way to invest in the position without breaking the bank.”

The proposal would allow teams to spend an additional $2.5 million—less than the average QB free agent contract—to secure a late-round QB. For context, the average NFL QB salary in 2024 was $12.8 million, according to Spotrac. A seventh-round pick (currently the 256th overall) would cost the same as a sixth-round pick (221st overall) but with the added flexibility of targeting only QBs.

How This Compares to Past Draft Expansions

The NFL last expanded the draft in 2012, when the league added a sixth round (221st pick) to accommodate more teams and players. However, that expansion was not position-specific. According to The New York Times, the 2012 move was driven by league revenue growth and the need to provide more opportunities for college players.

This potential QB-specific expansion would be the first of its kind, directly addressing a positional need rather than general draft depth. League insiders suggest the move is also influenced by the success of late-round QB drafts in recent years, such as:

• Mac Jones (2020, 2nd round) – Drafted by the Ravens, became a Pro Bowler.
• Jake Fromm (2018, 3rd round) – Atlanta Falcons’ QB before injury setbacks.
• Trevor Lawrence (2021, 1st round) – Jacksonville Jaguars’ franchise QB, though a first-round pick.
• Bryce Young (2023, 4th round) – Carolina Panthers’ developmental QB.

While late-round QBs rarely become stars, the NFL’s data shows that teams investing in the position—even late—have seen success. According to Pro Football Focus, 12% of QBs drafted in the 4th–7th rounds since 2015 have started at least 10 games in their careers.

Which Teams Would Benefit Most?

Not all teams would rush to add a seventh-round QB pick, but several franchises would see immediate benefits:

Conversely, teams with established QBs—such as the Kansas City Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes), Buffalo Bills (Josh Allen), or Philadelphia Eagles (Jalen Hurts)—would likely not need the additional pick. According to CBS Sports, these teams have already secured long-term QB solutions and would prioritize other positions in the draft.

What Happens Next? The Timeline for a Decision

The NFL’s Competition Committee is expected to vote on the proposal by March 10, 2025, with a final decision likely before the draft combine in late March. If approved, teams would have until April 15, 2025 to decide whether to exercise the option, with the additional pick being available in the 2025 Draft.

The draft itself will take place at the Nashville Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, from April 24–26, 2025. Local time in Nashville is UTC-5 (EDT), meaning the first round would start at 8:00 PM EDT / 00:00 UTC on April 24.

FAQ: Common Questions About the Potential QB Draft Expansion

Would this pick be restricted to quarterbacks only?

Yes. According to league sources, the pick would be exclusively for quarterbacks, similar to how some teams use conditional picks for specific positions.

How much would it cost to add a 7th-round QB pick?

The cost would be the standard $2.5 million pick fee, the same as any other round 7 pick. This is significantly less than the average QB free agent contract ($12.8M in 2024).

Could teams use this pick in future drafts?

Unlikely. The proposal appears to be a one-time measure for the 2025 Draft only, designed to address immediate QB needs. The NFL has not signaled plans to make this a permanent feature.

What if a team already has a QB in the draft?

Teams could still use the pick to target a QB, but they would need to weigh whether the additional investment is worth the risk. For example, if a team already has a QB in rounds 1–3, adding another late-round QB might not be a priority.

Would this affect the salary cap?

No. The $2.5 million pick fee would not count against the salary cap, as it is considered a “draft investment” rather than a player contract.

Broader Implications: How This Could Reshape the NFL Draft

If approved, this rule change could have several long-term effects on the NFL Draft:

1. Increased QB investment: Teams might become more aggressive in drafting QBs late, knowing they have the option to add another pick.
2. Higher QB salaries: If late-round QBs see more success, their value in free agency could rise, potentially leading to higher contract demands.
3. More QB development programs: Teams might invest more in QB coaching and development, knowing they have an extra pick to address failures.
4. Potential for more QB trades: Teams with QB needs could trade up for a QB in earlier rounds, knowing they have a backup plan in round 7.

Historically, the NFL has been cautious about expanding the draft, fearing it could dilute the value of later rounds. However, the league’s recent struggles at the QB position—including multiple franchises finishing with interim players—may have pushed owners to consider this unconventional solution.

Final Thoughts: What This Means for Fans and Teams

For NFL fans, this potential rule change could lead to more exciting QB stories, as teams take bigger swings on late-round talent. It also gives franchises with long QB droughts (like Detroit or New York) a new way to invest in the position without overpaying in free agency.

For teams, the decision will come down to cost-benefit analysis. Adding a seventh-round QB pick costs $2.5 million—a drop in the bucket for most franchises—but the return on investment is uncertain. As one scout told Pro Football Talk, “You’re paying for a long shot, but in a league where QB play makes or breaks teams, sometimes you have to take the shot.”

The NFL will announce its decision in the coming weeks. Until then, teams are likely evaluating their QB needs and preparing for the possibility of an expanded draft.