CAM WARD
Quarterback
University of Miami
23 years old
6’2”
219 pounds
Drafted No.1 to the Tennessee Titans
2024 STATS
4,313 air yards, 39 TDs, 7 INTs
305 completions on 454 attempts, 67.2 completion percentage
9.5 yards per attempt
204 rush yards, 4 TDs, 3 TOs
60 attempts
3.4 yards per attempt
WHAT’S THE EVALUATION?
The chatter around this year’s quarterback draft class mainly focused on its comparative weakness to last year and lack of strong prospects overall, but it is led by former University of Miami signal caller Cam Ward.
The first thing anyone will talk about with Ward is his composure and it is evident on tape. He’s cool, calm, collected, nonchalant, pick your synonym and he embodies it.
When plays break down, the composure is on full display as he continues to look downfield and while avoiding sacks. Running tends to be a last resort and Ward is not a high tier athlete, but he will take open space and can pick up first downs with his legs when called upon.
Ward is clearly not a highly mobile escape artist and more athletic opponents could expose his tendency to back up in crumbling pockets instead of stepping up to throw or taking off through gaps.
Ward’s athleticism is closer to average overall, reflecting the running ability and average level arm strength. The lack of upper tier arm strength is most noticeable in the accuracy drops when he has to push the football into tighter throwing windows.
Multiple arm angles on throws are completely accessible to Ward, who loves to use sidearm motions to escape pressure in his face. His throws with touch are much better placed than his pushed fastballs across the middle of the field.
EXPECTATIONS
Ward is hardly a world beater but despite lacking multiple clear strengths he is a well-rounded prospect without any significant weaknesses.
I do think his lack of high tier athleticism will be more severely punished in the NFL and will make his scrambles less successful despite his calm demeanor.
A positive will be his ability to deliver throws on-time when the pocket is clean and I can see him eventually leading a run-first offense that finishes a season in the top half of the league.
Additionally, I watched him take snaps from shotgun and under center during his time at Miami, which should enable Tennessee Titans Head Coach Brian Callahan to install a competent play-action game from under center.
Ward also has the clearest path to playing time among all rookie quarterbacks and is entering an offense with decent-to-strong skill position players, depending on who you ask.
FANTASY FALLOUT
The immediate fantasy football comparison that jumped out to me was former Titan Ryan Tannehill, a starter with the potential to succeed in an offense that does not necessarily depend on him to be a one-man army.
Tannehill averaged QB14 across his six complete seasons as a starter and I think Ward can settle into that slot if the right conditions are met, making him a mid-to-high end QB2 at his ceiling with more potential upside if running is more incorporated into his game.
While more exciting skill position players should overshadow Ward in dynasty rookie drafts, most teams always need extra quarterback depth and the path to playing time is too attractive to pass up at the end of the first round.
Final Verdict: Late first round pick
Wolveridge Langan 