Featured Columnist IVOctober 14, 2024
Eakin Howard/Getty Photos
ESPN’s Jordan Reid launched the primary version of his 2025 QB Sizzling Board on Monday, and Miami quarterback Cam Ward was second on the listing behind solely Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.
His robust play this season—he is thrown for two,219 yards, 20 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, finishing 69.2 p.c of his passes whereas main the Hurricanes to an ideal 6-0 file and No. 6 total rating—mixed together with his electrical playmaking capacity has shot him up draft boards. He is not an ideal prospect, nonetheless.
“He has occasions the place he has to scratch his itch for reckless performs, and it leaves you asking, ‘What the heck was he considering there?’” an AFC space scout informed Reid. “I like him and do not know if that may be coached out of him.”
Gunslinger quarterbacks have had diversified success on the NFL stage, from superstars like Brett Favre, Patrick Mahomes (at the least early in his profession) and Josh Allen to gamers who did not fairly make it work (assume Jameis Winston, Carson Wentz and Will Levis if he continues on his present path).
The defining characteristic of the gunslinger is letting it fly at any second, odds of success be damned, typically looking for the massive play moderately than taking the straightforward learn inside the construction of the offense. The gamers who make it work aren’t constantly punished for the massive dangers they take, typically on account of distinctive bodily presents (Favre’s rocket for an arm; Mahomes good mix of escapability, arm expertise and creativity; Allen’s measurement, scrambling and arm power). The gamers who do not make it work find yourself being turnover machines.
Ward undoubtedly has a few of that off-script, gunslinger DNA in his sport, for higher or worse. The NFL staff that finally drafts him will hope he is extra of an Allen than a Wentz.
