Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward has recently faced some negative attention, particularly after sitting out the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Iowa State. However, despite these issues, Ward’s draft prospects remain strong, with many experts predicting he will be a top pick in the upcoming NFL draft.
The NFL draft order has seen significant changes recently, affecting teams at the top of the first round. For example, the Las Vegas Raiders have dropped to No. 8 overall, largely due to two consecutive wins, while the New York Giants have fallen from the top pick to No. 4 after defeating the Indianapolis Colts.
With these shifts, the Cleveland Browns have moved up to the No. 3 pick, putting them in an excellent position to select a new quarterback. The Browns are currently stuck with Deshaun Watson, who still has two years left on a fully guaranteed $230 million contract, but his performance has been disappointing. After a suspension and two season-ending injuries, Watson has only started 19 games in three years, with a record of 9-10.
Given Watson’s struggles and the financial commitment to him, Cleveland is expected to move him to the bench in 2025. However, the Browns can’t escape the money owed to Watson, so the team will need to find a cost-effective way to replace him. Their best option could be to either sign a cheap veteran or draft a rookie quarterback, and Ward is seen as the ideal candidate for the latter.
Josh Edwards of CBS Sports has predicted that the Browns will use their No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft to select Cam Ward. Despite Ward’s recent setbacks, Edwards believes the Browns cannot afford to pass up on the opportunity to draft him.
While Cleveland might consider signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is expected to be released by the Atlanta Falcons before March 17, Edwards suggests that this would only be a temporary solution. If the Browns are confident that Ward could be their quarterback of the future, selecting him with the third overall pick would make more sense than committing to a short-term option like Cousins.
Cousins, likely to be available at a lower price due to his expected release, could be signed on a league-minimum deal, with the Falcons covering much of his salary. However, this move would likely only serve as a bridge to a long-term solution. The Browns will have to make a crucial decision: whether to continue with Watson for the time being, sign a veteran like Cousins, or invest in a rookie like Ward who could lead the team for years to come.
As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on Cleveland to see if they choose Ward as their quarterback of the future.
