Despite being the first overall pick, Cam Ward trails rival Jaxson Dart in Chris Simms’ latest rankings as questions linger about the Titans star's raw decision-making.
The Tennessee Titans had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and left no room for speculation about who they would take.
The Titans took Cam Ward out of Miami, and while they didn't have the best season, he showed that he has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback in this league.
Ward threw for 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions last season amid a head coaching change halfway through the year and an underwhelming receiving corps, which consisted of Van Jefferson, Calvin Ridley, and Tyler Lockett at the start.
Ward was the first quarterback taken in the 2025 class. The New York Giants then selected Jaxson Dart, and the New Orleans Saints picked Tyler Shough in the second round.
Jalen Milroe, Shedeur Sanders, Riley Leonard, Dillon Gabriel, Tommy Mellott, Graham Mertz, Will Howard, Kyle McCord, Cam Miller, Kurtis Rourke and Quinn Ewers were the other quarterbacks selected in that year's draft.
NBC Sports' Chris Simms went through and ranked all the NFL quarterbacks as most teams are going through their OTAs. He ranked Ward at an interesting spot.
Ward was ahead of quarterbacks like Jacoby Brissett, Aaron Rodgers, and Geno Smith. However, Ward was ranked one spot behind Dart.
Simms stated that he wouldn't be surprised if Ward had a breakout season, and he should've ranked him higher in hindsight. Simms was a fan of Ward's skill set but wanted to see more growth from the young quarterback.
"Again, I wouldn't be shocked if we got done with the year and I went, 'Ah, I should've made Cam Ward like 12 or 14.'" Simms said. "It's still just a little too raw for me to just throw that out there in a projection right now. Now, I love the talent. I love the arm. I love the quick release. A little bit of what we just talked about with Geno [Smith]. Too many throws where you go, 'Wait, why are you trying to fit in there and do that?' Too many times, maybe looking for more where you go wait, there was a five-yard completion, instead we go move in the pocket and look to make a bigger play down the field."
Ward and Dart had similar stats as rookies.
Dart played in 14 games with 12 starts, throwing for 2,272 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and five interceptions, but that doesn't tell the whole story.
Dart threw fewer interceptions than Ward did, but the Giants' quarterback had fewer yards. Dart was also benched during the year in favor of veteran journeyman QB Jameis Winston and wasn't the starter at the beginning of the season, sitting behind Russell Wilson.
If that wasn't enough, Wan'Dale Robinson, who was the Giants' leading receiver last year, said on an appearance on the "Up & Adams Show" that this was the first time he'd had a quarterback who could get the ball out quickly, indirectly praising Ward over Dart.
Both Ward and Dart have new head coaches entering 2026, as the Titans have Robert Saleh, and the New York Giants are going to be led by John Harbaugh.
Ward definitely had the better rookie season, and hopefully, there will be no doubt who the better QB is at the end of the year.
