re: If it had to be one or the other: trade up for Cam Ward, or draft Dart at 9?

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i am actually warming to the idea of going up to get him. they have to do something

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I have serious doubts about Ward being a future top tier (basically top ten) QB in the NFL over the course of the next decade. I admit my limited occasions to watch Ward play, and it is not like I am saying he is terrible or has no chance. But if I had to bet, I would bet that Ward does not meet this standard. Therefore, I would not trade the necessary assets to get him.

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Ward is a big-game hunter at the quarterback position who is always looking to challenge the intermediate and vertical areas of the field. His unorthodox release remind me of a mix of watching Philip Rivers and Jordan Love, but there's no denying how fast the ball gets out of his hands. This makes him a weapon in specific areas of the field on specific throw types that mesh well with his motion and release. Ball placement can wane, specifically on the vertical plane, but these are areas that can improve as NFL coaches work to marry his footwork and upper-body mechanics. Ward is an incredibly exciting prospect with a new-age game that can translate to the current NFL.

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Accolades

Career: Holds record for combined FCS (71) and FBS (87) passing touchdowns with 158

2024 (at Miami): Davey O'Brien Award winner (best college QB)

2024 (at Miami): Manning Award winner (best college QB)

2024 (at Miami): ACC Offensive Player of the Year

2024 (at Miami): Heisman Trophy finalist (best player in FBS)

2024 (at Miami): Led FBS with 39 pass TD last season (school record)

2021 (at Incarnate Word): SLC Offensive Player of the Year

2020 (at Incarnate Word): Jerry Rice Award (best FCS freshman)

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Strengths

The defining trait for me when it comes to how I project Ward's game translating to the next level is his ability to change touch, trajectory and pace in the red zone. He can "drop it in the bucket," even to the field side.

Ward has the seamless ability to change the tempo of his throws (not everything is the same speed and trajectory). This becomes very important at the NFL level due to the speed and length of defenses. He can challenge tight windows.

Ward has excellent improvisational skills. Multiple times throughout any All-22 cut-up you watch of Ward, you'll see the play-side route combo foiled by the defensive coordinator and Ward still finding a solution. W

Ward works through progressions and will not be forced to transition to a predominantly half-field read offense in Year 1.

Ward is creative with his eyes when forced to break the pocket. This one is a big one. When you watch young NFL quarterbacks struggling, a lot of the time you'll see their eyes drop when they break the pocket. Ward is always hunting for a solution with his arm when the pass protection breaks down. Throughout his tape, you'll find so many examples of him finding solutions on the move.

Ward has an effortless release. It's quick and efficient, and he doesn't get the ball batted down at the line of scrimmage often.

Ward's ball placement can be erratic, but on his best throws, he places the ball in a position for the receiver to maximize his yards after the catch.

Ward can make all the throws to all three levels of the field.

Velocity is not an issue for Ward, including when he is forced to throw off-platform. He doesn't need to have a balanced base to get the ball to his intended target.

He already shows signs of anticipatory throwing that can translate to the next level against zone coverage.

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Concerns

Not the ideal frame for a quarterback (6-foot-1 ? and 219 pounds), though it shouldn't hold him back.

Ward's ball placement wanes on the vertical plane -- he misses throws in the deep half even at times when throwing from a balanced base and clean pocket.

Major splits for Ward when it came to his PFF grade against pressure (56.5) and with no pressure (94.1)

Ward's footwork can improve both in terms of pocket movement but also when delivering the football.

Ward will sometimes look to escape and take liberties that won't be available in the NFL (he'll run into sacks).

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Bottom line

What stood out more than anything on Ward's tape was that he answered more big moments with a solution than any quarterback I watched in the entire class. Often times, Ward would make something out of nothing -- or worse -- out of a bad situation. 

Below, I'll attach a play from the Virginia Tech game on the comeback drive. The Miami defense failed Ward often and he still brought them back. Ward will take his lumps at the next level and need to improve his footwork, how he handles pressure and his ball placement on the vertical plane. At the same time, he should immediately be a playmaker at the NFL level in the intermediate areas of the field both inside and outside the numbers.

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