Graham Mertz selected in sixth round of 2025 NFL Draft
Florida Gators quarterback Graham Mertz was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Saturday. The Houston Texans picked him with the No. 197 overall pick.
Mertz started three years at Wisconsin and the past two seasons at Florida. He improved his draft stock in Gainesville, showing accuracy and avoiding interceptions. In 2023, Mertz ranked No. 3 nationally with a 72.9 completion percentage and threw just three picks, all of which were tipped passes. It was the fewest among SEC starting quarterbacks.
Mertz finished the 2023 season with career highs in completions (261), passing touchdowns (20) passing yards (2,903), passing yards per game (263.9) and efficiency (157.8). He set program records for consecutive passes without an interception (239), consecutive passes completed (19) and completion percentage for a season and career (73.7).
Mertz started 11 games in 2023 before his season-ending broken collarbone. He sustained a concussion in the 2024 opener, returned to start four more games and then suffered a torn ACL in Week 7. Five months after knee surgery, Mertz threw a 58-pass script at Florida’s Pro Day on March 27. He was invited to the NFL Combine but only did positional drills.
In 50 career games, Mertz made 48 starts and completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 9,099 yards and 64 touchdowns with 31 interceptions. He ran for another 13 scores.
Billy Napier on Mertz at Gators Pro Day
“Graham is one of my favorite players to coach in my entire 20 years of coaching, and just to see him come back in the building. The room lights up when the guy walks in. Did a lot for this place, been through some battles and another high-value player, in my opinion.
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“Somebody is going to get a guy who brings a ton of experience, production leadership, does a lot for an organization and certainly very capable of potentially, one day being a starter in the National Football League, in my opinion. “It’s been a ton of fun to get the calls after the interviews.”
Draft analysis
“A highly experienced quarterback with NFL size, Mertz is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in October 2024. Despite a lack of eye-popping production, he became a much more comfortable and competent quarterback during his time at Florida. He operated with better poise under pressure and improved his decision-making. He gets through his progressions with average quickness but occasionally struggles to cut it loose on time, leading to pass breakups or incompletions near the boundary. He’s pretty good about getting rid of the football to avoid sacks but he also lacks the aggressive mentality needed to attack pro defenses. Mertz is a game manager with adequate NFL tools for consideration as a backup, but the ceiling is low.” — Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
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