Cam Ward 6’1”⅝ 219 Miami

Trait Grades (Ward) 

Arm Talent (A-) Toughness (B+) Anticipation (A-) Arm Strength (B+) 

Pocket Presence (C+) Football IQ (A-) Ball Placement/Accuracy (B) 

Intangibles/Off Field (A-) Touch (A) Delivery/Mechanics (B) 

Running/Athleticism (A-) Throw on Run (A-)

Full Games Studied (Ward) (2024) FAMU, Miami, Cal, Virginia Tech, Syracuse *1st half, Iowa State, Duke, Louisville. (2023) Wisconsin, Oregon State (2022) USC (2021) Stephen F. Austin *1st half. 

Tape Analysis (Ward)As a passer, Ward has a natural feel for throwing catchable balls, consistently. Natural feel for spacing on the field (something innate, that you cannot teach.)  Ball placement can become spotty on routine throws due to lazy footwork & not being consistent enough mechanically with his release point & weight distribution before & during his throwing motion. Multiple examples on film of Ward spraying balls behind, low or high due to these bouts of mechanical breakdowns which happened at every level (short, intermediate, long).  Ward has a tendency to bounce around in the pocket which limits his ability to play from a great base. This also has resulted in Ward missing opportunities in the checkdown game that are open immediately on time because Ward’s feet are not allowing him to be ready to capitalize in these split second situations. This I believe, given his talent is correctable at the NFL level once he receives proper coaching, however this has been ingrained in his game at the college level. Shows the ability to absolutely rip the football down the seam/hashes with elite anticipation while placing it exactly where he wants to. 

Can intuitively alter ball speed/trajectory based on coverage/ leverage. His ability to anticipate & complete seam throws is elite. Knows how to create space when extending plays off-script. A natural, smooth athlete with excellent awareness on the field. Lacks explosive qualities from a pure athletic standpoint yet Ward’s feel for space & timing is high end. Advanced in terms of manipulating deep defenders with his eyes & will incorporate full body manipulation in order to maximize window space. His ability to extend plays & buy extra time is perhaps best in class. Ward demonstrates top tier spatial awareness instincts in these situations (reduction, extension & drifting) allowing him to keep a play alive until the last possible second & deliver a throw. This gift can also become a curse for Ward as he relied on doing this too often in 2024. Played in a system at Miami that does not transfer well to the NFL level. Does not drop back to pass with great foot energy/quickness. Shows refined ability to anticipate windows between the hashes, on time. A decisive decision maker who can hurt you running the football due to his high level recognition skills when he determines to take off. Again, just a tremendous feel for playing the position with a high football IQ. One of the best if not the best in class with his ability to layer the football over linebackers on time with anticipation (throwing to spots over, around or in-between defenders) 

Projection (Ward)

Cam Ward is not the best QB prospect in this class. His tools are high level however his college film shows a player who is not disciplined enough to succeed over time at the NFL level. Comparing him to Patrick Mahomes is a fool’s errand. He does not seem to adhere to many of the small details needed to perform at a high level in the National Football League. The Tennessee Titans will select Ward at 1. We will see a fair amount of highs from him as a rookie, but many lows. He will be fighting an uphill battle playing under Brian Callahan.