As NFL teams gather at the Shrine Bowl for an extensive look at this year’s top prospects, the focus has naturally been at the top of the draft board. As scouts and executives have started to congregate, Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com says the “overwhelming belief” is that Cam Ward has emerged as the top quarterback prospect in the draft. In fact, Pauline spoke to some individuals who believe that if the draft happened today, Ward would go first-overall to the Titans.
Ward was somewhat on the NFL radar heading into the 2024 campaign, but he put himself firmly on the map following a strong showing at Miami. During his lone season with the Hurricanes, Ward connected on 67.2-percent of his passes for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while guiding the school to a 10-3 record. For his efforts, he earned the Davey O’Brien Award and ACC Player of the Year honors, and he ultimately finished fourth in Heisman voting.
It’s a pretty rapid rise for the QB, who entered the 2024 season as a potential Day 3 selection in the 2025 draft. As Pauline notes, the player’s turnaround isn’t completely dissimilar to that of Jayden Daniels, who evolved from a fringe prospect into the eventual No. 2 pick.
While Ward will face plenty of competition to be the first-overall selection, he’s likely only competing with one individual to be QB1: Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. Unfortunately, teams won’t get an in-person look at the Colorado quarterback during the Shrine Bowl, as Sanders is an interview-only participant, per ESPN’s Matt Miller. Interestingly, Sanders made that decision after speaking to a handful of NFL teams, as Charles McDonald of Yahoo Sports says the Titans, Browns, and Giants all asked Sanders not to practice this week.
Each of those organizations, of course, is armed with a top-three pick, and Robinson notes that all three squads are kicking the tires on a potential Sanders selection. The QB prospect met with those three teams Friday before practices started on Saturday.
While both Ward and Sanders could be trending towards top-three picks, there continues to be a sentiment that this year’s QB class is lacking. Notably, Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy seems to share that opinion, telling Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that he’s unsure “if any of these guys would be in the top-six last year.” This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this viewpoint, especially after the likes of Daniels, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Drake Maye, and Michael Penix all showed promise as rookies.
Considering the underwhelming opinion of this year’s QB prospects, there was some thought that QB-needy teams could look to other positions atop the draft board (especially Colorado’s Travis Hunter). While some of these front offices could still avoid the top of the 2025 QB class, it sounds like at least Ward and Sanders will hear their names early during the first round.
lol
I’d love for both QBs to go 1/2, so Giants can just get Hunter or trade back for more picks. Giants are not a QB away from making a significant impact. One more draft of solid picks should move the needle big time.
Feel the same way as a Giants fan.
For this draft class ward is lowkey a steal.
How can there be a steal at #1?
I meant there’s no way we know who’s number 1 yet that’s all I’m saying
It’s not a steak if a guy goes first overall who wouldn’t have sniffed being a top three quarterback last year.
Steal. Stupid autocorrect.
No I like steak too lmao
Another option could be filet Minion if autocorrect has it’s way.
Lol
Teams have to ask themselves where would he go if he were in last year’s draft and would they be better served if they selected the best player with the highest chance of success.
That’s why they have grades. But desperate teams do desperate things.
Former Conn Smythe Trophy winner, as well.
I feel the NFL should have drafted Marty Brodeur. No goalie could pass better than him.
No brainer. Ward on top. The 2025 Jayden Daniels! Titans would be making a huge mistake not taking him.
Ward is nowhere near as good as Jayden Daniels.
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Garbage!!!!!!
I love the draft, but I’d like teams to take a chance like CFL teams do. Two guys drafted by CFL teams were dead.
I get that the NFL is a QB driven league anymore but I’d probably still take Abdul Carter first overall. He’s the only edge rusher I’ve watched in college ball that reminded me of Derrick Thomas.
Giants…way too many holes on the roster to take a QB with their #1 who at best might give them 2-3 more wins against weak competition while getting trashed by the good/really good teams….one of Hunter, Graham, Carter will be there….build up the roster with plug and play guys using your #’s 1 and 2 and pass on Ward or Sanders….
Hunter or a trade-out. Have to fix the right side of that offensive line.
As a Titans fan, I would rather trade the pick than take either Ward or Sanders at #1. Neither guy is a #1 pick and I’m not convinced either guy is a franchise qb. Trade down & add draft capital to fill multiple holes.