Pro Days are in full swing, and Miami’s took place on Monday. That allowed NFL evaluators to see Cam Ward throw after he elected not to do so at the Combine. 
As expected, multiple teams sent a contingent to watch and speak with the consensus top quarterback in the 2025 draft class. That included the Titans, the team which owns the No. 1 pick and is increasingly seen as being likely to retain the selection and use it on Ward. In the event a trade-down move were to take place, though, the Browns and Giants could find themselves in the mix to draft the first-team All-American.
Cleveland sent assistant general manager Glenn Cook to the Hurricanes’ Pro Day, but several other members of the organization are set to speak with Ward shortly. An in-person meeting has been scheduled between the ACC Player of the Year and multiple members of the Browns’ organization later this week in Miami, Zac Jackson and Jeff Howe of The Athletic report (subscription required). The parties have already met once, with Cleveland speaking to the top two quarterback prospects along with Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter prior to free agency.
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Set to select second overall, the Browns are among the teams in the market for a long-term quarterback investment this spring. Deshaun Watson is under contract for two more years, although his second Achilles tear leaves his 2025 availability in doubt and his level of play when on the field for Cleveland has required the addition of competition under center anyway. The team has swung a trade for ex-Steelers first-rounder Kenny Pickett, but further moves could be coming in free agency and/or the draft.
Cleveland has been linked to Kirk Cousins based on his history with head coach Kevin Stefanski, but his preference would be for a trade from the Falcons to his next team to take place after April’s draft. Cousins aims to avoid a repeat of last year’s situation where Atlanta drafted his successor shortly after signing him in free agency, so he will look to join a team which does not wind up selecting a passer on Day 1 of the draft. In terms of free agents, the likes of Carson Wentz, Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson are options still on the market for Cleveland.
The Browns have been previously connected to entertaining offers allowing them to move down the board, but it remains to be seen how willing teams will be to trade up in 2025. This year’s class is not seen as having many bluechip prospects, especially at the QB position. That could entice the Titans to stay in place (although they could be open to trading down in a way which still ensured their ability to draft Ward) and likewise keep Cleveland in the No. 2 slot. Much of the Browns’ planning will depend on their evaluation of Ward, a process which will continue in a notable way shortly.
Hmmmmmmm
Hmmm for those of us trying to extend the life of our keyboard.
Hmmmmmmmm
How good is Ward?
Caleb Williams still goes over him if they were in the same draft?
What if Penix was in this draft? Nix? Bryce Young?
I saw a few minutes of his combine and wasn’t impressed but…that’s a microscopic sample size.
I think Ward is a worse prospect going into the draft than the top three were last year (or Young or Stroud were) entering the draft, but better than Nix or Penix. Of course situation matters a ton once they get in the league, as we saw in different directions with Young and Nix.
I’m not high on Ward at all. I feel like whichever team selects him is going to be in store for a massive amount of regret.
If Penix was in this draft, he’d be my QB1.
I think Penix was a dicier prospect entering the draft. Two ACL tears in his past. I didn’t love his throwing motion, ball placement, or touch. Game very based on deep balls in a way that doesn’t work as well in the NFL, not to mention a stellar supporting cast making it easier. Penix may well work out better, but my concerns about him last year were greater than my concerns about Ward this year. Of course, in a good quarterback year, neither would sniff 1:1.