We've heard the scouting reports to the effect that Cam Ward would only be the 4th (or 5th or 6th) best QB in the 2024 class. This actually isn't bad company - 2024 QB-6 was Bo Nix, who is decidedly a keeper for the Denver Broncos.
Ward succeeded wherever he played. He went from a lightly recruited HS QB to the FCS's Incarnate Word program. He immediately took over the starter's role as a freshman - tossing 24 TDs versus 4 picks. Ward blew it up his sophomore year with 47 TD passes (but 10 picks) for 4648 yards and a 65.1% completion rate. Ward then transferred to Washington State, where he threw 48 TDs versus 16 picks in two seasons. That wasn't quite good enough for the NFL, so he level up again, moving to Miami for his final season. With all of the Hurricane's excellent targets (Restrepo, Brown, Arroyo), Ward was named consensus All-America with 39 TDs and just 7 interceptions.
Now he's leveling up again to The Show, he's long been cemented in as the Titan's choice as the #1 pick.
Will Ward be thrown into the fire straight away on Week 1? Or will he be eased into the lineup late in the season, as was Drake Make in 2024? Or, like Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love, will Ward sit for his entire rookie season?
I personally would hope for the Drake Maye treament for Ward. He's currently just not set up for success. The Titans' depth chart shows journeyman (but once great) Calvin Ridley, and 2022 RD1 pick Treylon Burks as the starting WRs. Ridley achieved a 1000 yard season in 2024, but appears on the downside of his career. Burks seems to be a bust. In three seasons, Burks has accrued just 53 catches for 699 yards and one lone TD. The Titans need more weapons on offense, and in fact we've added WR jayden Higgins in Round 2, with more help later on in our mock draft.
POLL!...