During Cam Ward’s workout at the University of Miami’s pro day on Monday, things finally got exciting, which is typical for quarterback workouts before the draft.
Ward, the Hurricanes’ quarterback and likely top pick in next month’s NFL Draft, took a snap from under center and pivoted past a fake pass rush, stepping back with a 10-step backpedal.
As he moved back and to his left, he threw a high, tight spiral toward his teammate, Xavier Restrepo, who was running a route from the slot position. Restrepo, sprinting 56 yards down the left sideline, caught the ball perfectly in stride.
A loud “woooooooo” was heard throughout the practice facility, followed by some applause.
This pass is something you probably won’t see in an NFL game unless it’s a desperate situation. But since getting the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft often comes from a team in need, these workout moments are always fitting for quarterbacks.
Sometimes, quarterbacks make an impression by throwing a football 50 yards from their knees (like Josh Allen), or by launching an 80-yard pass (like Patrick Mahomes). Other times, they show their footwork and arm strength like Ward did, even if it’s a pass that he probably won’t ever need to throw in an NFL game.
Ward’s goal was clearly to impress the team that holds the No. 1 pick in the draft. Before the workout began, Ward made eye contact with Tennessee Titans executives, who are deciding what to do with the top pick, and told them where he thinks he’ll be selected.
“I said, ‘I’m solidifying it today,’” Ward said in an NFL Network interview. “They know what I said. I made sure they heard me.”
The Titans were likely aware of his plans, as they had sent a group of top executives and coaches to take Ward out to dinner the night before his workout. By now, everyone else knew, too.
The workout had representatives from every team in the league, including a strong group from the New York Giants, with general manager Joe Schoen, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, and quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney present. Interestingly, the Cleveland Browns didn’t have general manager Andrew Berry or head coach Kevin Stefanski there.
Cam Ward in the 2nd half“He’s a little doughy.”
So, what does all this mean? Let’s start with the workout.
Three talent evaluators who attended the event shared fairly typical positive feedback about Ward’s pro day. They praised his arm strength and speed, as well as his rhythm. However, they pointed out that his footwork needs some improvement. Ward threw deep outs with ease and hit the usual marks for a quarterback.
The biggest compliments were for how quickly he released the ball with strong force on short to intermediate routes. While his arm might not match the strength of players like Allen and Mahomes, it’s still considered solid and in the second tier of the league. One evaluator saw potential for improvement in that area.
“He’s still got a college [physique] and that will get better [in the NFL],” the evaluator said. “He’s a little doughy, which you kind of see with college quarterbacks. He’ll get stronger in his base and midsection, and arms get stronger that way, too. He just needs a good [strength and conditioning] program.”
The reviews didn’t change the fact that Ward is still the favorite to be picked No. 1 overall in the draft. Now, there are increasing signs that the Titans will stay at that pick and select him.
More signs that Cam Ward seems to be a lock for the Titans at No. 1
As recently as two weeks ago, Ward told some NFL personnel that he believed the Giants were likely to trade up to the top pick to select him. But now, it seems the Titans are focused on choosing him with the first pick, rather than trading down to the Giants’ No. 3 pick.
Brandon Allen and Brock Purdy in the NFL practiceHere are the signs:
First, Tennessee has shown no real interest in finding a serious candidate to compete for the starting job against Will Levis. Instead, they signed a backup quarterback, Brandon Allen, who spent three seasons as a backup for Cincinnati when the current Titans head coach, Brian Callahan, was the offensive coordinator for the Bengals.
This move is seen as Callahan bringing in a player who can help guide a young quarterback by teaching him the system Callahan brought from the Bengals.
Multiple sources have told Yahoo Sports that the Titans are not considering Levis as a starting candidate and that Tennessee might make him available before or after the draft.
Here’s a strange but often reliable sign: the Titans didn’t just send their top personnel and coaches to watch Ward’s workout. They also brought part of their social media team. This has become a common move for teams holding the No. 1 overall pick when they are focusing on a quarterback.
When you compare this to the Browns, who didn’t send a full group to watch Ward because they likely won’t be trading up from No. 2 to No. 1, and the Giants, who are still considering signing Jameis Winston and possibly Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, it begins to create a picture for the top three picks in the draft.
On Monday, the scene was dramatic at times for Cam Ward and the Titans. But that was the purpose of the whole event.
