Entering his second season at Washington State, quarterback Cameron Ward is an under-the-radar 2024 NFL Draft prospect. The junior has the opportunity to take a massive leap in 2023. We’re breaking down Ward’s scouting report for next year’s NFL Draft.
Cameron Ward Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 223
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Washington State
- Current Year: Junior
Ward is related to Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs and former Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Quintin Jammer. An FCS All-American at Incarnate Word in 2021, he arrived at Washington State with high expectations.
Ward performed well, considering the talent around him was unspectacular, completing 64.4% of his passes for 3,232 yards, 23 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He has one more season of eligibility for 2024.
Cameron Ward Scouting Report
Strengths
- Very young player who dominated the FCS level before arriving at Washington State.
- Produced efficiently despite not having a strong supporting cast, a second-year head coach, and jumping up in competition.
- Has a live arm that generates good velocity regardless of how his body is aligned. He’s capable of throwing the ball from any angle.
- Shows a quick release with minimal load up and proper release angle to avoid batted balls.
- Very quick in the pocket and will dart around the field in a hurry. He puts immense pressure on defenders to contain him or be left in his wake.
- Good decision-maker who rarely puts the ball at risk for a turnover. He’s content with taking the shorter pass or scrambling for positive yards instead of forcing a bad throw.
- Wants to be a passer first and will extend plays with every intention of finding a downfield target instead of rushing.
- Sees zone coverage well and will test tight passing windows.
Weaknesses
- Averaged only 6.6 yards per attempt in 2022, a number that has to rise considerably. He can be too quick to deviate from the scheme and then have to take a dump-off pass.
- Smaller frame doesn’t help him see over the offensive line or reduce concern about durability.
- Rarely has his lower body tied to his upper body. While his arm is capable of overcoming this — and it frequently does — he misses too many passes that he shouldn’t because his mechanics are non-existent. Ward’s accuracy nosedives while in the pocket due to his footwork and alignment.
- Too quick to break the pocket or take deeper drops than what is needed. He’s so agile that he stresses his blockers’ ability to stay in front of defenders who read his movement.
- Has to find the balance of being a playmaker and simply executing the designed offense.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
There aren’t many quarterbacks who play as exciting of a style as Ward does. In fact, the only one who is definitively better at creating is Caleb Williams. But that style is concerning when projecting to the next level.
Ward has a terrific skill set and a natural feel for the game to build around. He has rare arm flexibility and talent that allows him to defy expectations about what is possible. He’s also as agile as Bryce Young was but taller, thicker, and with a more dynamic arm.
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Where Ward has to improve is in his consistency, both physically and mentally. He sees the field well but has to trust the system and not take on so much of the brunt of the unit.
His draft stock could range from Day 2 as a potential NFL starter to a late-round developmental pick. There’s no question that Ward is talented, but taking that next step in growth will ultimately determine his value. I have an early Day 3 grade on him to start the year.