Draft guru's grade for Miami's Cam Ward should give QB-needy teams something to consider

Miami's Cam Ward could be the first quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, that probably wouldn't have been the case in previous years.

Unlike 2024 — which featured six QBs in Round 1 — the 2025 class doesn't look as strong at the most important position. Ward (6-foot-2, 223 pounds) and Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders seem to be the only surefire first-rounders. 

"I had Cam Ward with the same grade as Bo Nix [in 2024]," NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah said Thursday (h/t Cleveland.com's Tim Bielik). "So that would put him behind those top four [Chicago's Caleb Williams, Washington's Jayden Daniels, New England's Drake Maye and Minnesota's J.J. McCarthy] for me. He'd kind of be in that fifth range."  

Nix — whom the Denver Broncos selected with pick No. 12 — was the last first-round passer in 2024. Before the draft, Jeremiah rated Nix as his No. 33 prospect.

The Auburn/Oregon product exceeded expectations as a rookie. In 17 regular-season starts, Nix went 10-7, tossing the league's sixth-most touchdown passes (29). He finished third in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Daniels. 

However, some of Nix's success can be attributed to Broncos head coach Sean Payton and a superb O-line. Per Pro Football Reference, Denver allowed 24 sacks, tied for the third fewest in the league.

QB-needy teams in 2025 may not put Ward in a position to flourish. For example, the Tennessee Titans — who have the No. 1 pick — lack a proven head coach in Brian Callahan, who went 3-14 in his first season. Plus, Tennessee's O-line tied for fifth in the league in sacks allowed (52). 

Ward is a talented prospect. He finished second in the FBS in passing yards (4,313 in 13 starts) and won the Davey O'Brien Award as college football's best QB. 

Still, teams like Tennessee must realize Ward may not be a franchise-altering player and should consider filling other holes instead of reaching for him in the draft.