INDIANAPOLIS – Miami quarterback Cam Ward is one of the top overall prospects at the 2025 NFL combine.
Many believe Ward is the No. 1 quarterback in this year’s draft class. The 6-foot-2, 223-pound quarterback has a strong arm, good mobility and is an accurate thrower of the football. As a redshirt senior, he set Miami’s single-season record for passing yards (4,313) and touchdowns (39), he became the first player in program history to win ACC Player of the Year and was also the recipient of the 2024 Davey O’Brien Award.
Ward said Friday that he won’t throw at the NFL combine. He’ll throw at his pro day instead. The Miami product could potentially be the first pick in the 2025 draft. USA TODAY Sports analyzes the four places where Ward could land in April.
Tennessee Titans
Teams are inquiring about the Titans’ coveted No. 1 pick. Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi is at least listening to those calls. Yet, if the Titans believe in Ward, they should keep the top draft pick and select the quarterback.
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Tennessee’s endured three straight losing seasons. Inept quarterback play has held the franchise back. The Titans ranked 26th in total offense and pass offense and 27th in points per game this past season.
The Titans haven’t had a 4,000-yard passer since Hall of Famer Warren Moon did it in back-to-back seasons in 1990-91. Ryan Tannehill is Tennessee’s most recent 3,000-yard passer and that was in 2021.
The Titans have plenty of holes. They can accumulate assets by trading down. But Ward possesses the arm talent and mobility that Tennessee can begin to build around.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns are perpetually in the quarterback market. Cleveland’s started 40 different quarterbacks since 1999, the most (by far) in the NFL in that span. Deshaun Watson’s Achillies re-tear and underwhelming play when on the field, has the Browns in need of another starting QB in 2025.
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said this year’s quarterback draft class is really good “from top all the way through.”
Ward, Shedeur Sanders and Jalen Milroe are a few of the quarterbacks the Browns met with.
There’s a realistic chance Ward is on the board when Cleveland selects second overall. If the Browns acquiesce to Myles Garrett’s trade request, accumulate multiple first-round picks in exchange and draft Ward, it could accelerate their rebuild.
New York Giants
General manager Joe Schoen declared the Giants “have to address” the quarterback position this offseason. Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford and Sam Darnold are some of the veteran quarterbacks available via free agency or trade. Or the Giants can draft a young signal-caller at No. 3 overall.
Ward might not be available when New York is on the clock. The Giants shouldn’t waste any time in the event Ward is still on the board.
The Giants are currently in a rebuild. Teams in a rebuild who don’t have a starting QB typically draft a quarterback with a premium pick.
Ward and Sanders are the top quarterbacks in this year’s class. At least one of them could be available when the Giants are on the clock.
Las Vegas Raiders
There’s a slim chance Ward will be on the board when the Raiders pick at No. 6. The Raiders will realistically have to trade up to draft the Miami product.
Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, head coach Pete Carroll and the rest of Raiders brass are well aware that they have a void at starting quarterback. Las Vegas has to compete with the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert four times a year. Plus, the Broncos reached the postseason with promising QB Bo Nix in his rookie campaign. The Raiders could adopt Denver’s approach and build around a rookie QB in 2025.
Tight end Brock Bower had a record-breaking rookie year and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers posted over 1,000 receiving yards with subpar quarterback play in 2024. Ward’s arm talent and athleticism would give the Raiders offense a much-needed jolt behind center. Unfortunately for the Raiders, they’ll probably need to trade up to get him.