The Las Vegas Raiders, after selecting Ashton Jeanty and passing on Shedeur Sanders multiple times, ultimately addressed their quarterback need by drafting Cam Miller from North Dakota State in the sixth round (215th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft. This decision came even after Sanders’ slide in the earlier rounds.
Miller arrives in the NFL with an impressive track record. He spent five seasons with the Bison, establishing himself as a dynamic dual-threat quarterback. He departs NDSU with 45 total touchdowns, including 33 passing.
Las Vegas Raiders Passed On Shedeur Sanders 7 Times, Then Took A QB
Notably, Miller nearly led North Dakota State to an upset victory over Shedeur Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes in the 2024 season opener. In that game, Miller completed 18 of 22 passes for 277 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 81 yards on 16 carries and scoring two touchdowns. Despite his strong performance, Sanders’ Buffaloes narrowly escaped with a 31-26 win in Boulder.
While Miller brings a wealth of accomplishments to the NFL, he entered the draft as a prospect who was not widely considered a top-tier talent. Perhaps his most impressive stat is his accuracy, accompanied by a + 10-yard average depth of target. While Sanders also produced an impressive completion percentage, Miller’s touch on deep passes set him apart, posting a completion percentage of 50.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler writes of Miller, “Overall, Miller won’t wow you right away because the physical traits are average. The more you watch, though, the more you come to appreciate his decision-making and feel for the position. He can be an asset in an NFL quarterback room as a reserve.”
Miller established himself as a highly successful quarterback during his four-year starting career at North Dakota State. Playing in former offensive coordinator Jake Landry’s run-heavy scheme, which averaged just 21.9 pass attempts per game, Miller led the Bison to two FCS national championships as a starter (2022 and 2024). His tenure at North Dakota State was marked by record-breaking achievements, including school records for career passing yards (9,720), completions (759), and total offense (11,997).
Miller demonstrates intelligent game management, consistently making sound decisions by taking what the defense offers and prioritizing timing and placement over raw arm strength. His mental approach to the game and his on-field production showed improvement each season, a testament to his development, influenced in part by being the son of a football coach. Despite his accomplishments, Miller may face skepticism due to the level of competition he encountered in the FCS.