2025 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Cam Ward
The NFL Draft is behind us, rookie drafts are taking place, and as dynasty managers, we are looking ahead to the upcoming season. In our Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update series, we break down all the incoming fantasy-relevant rookies, looking at their profiles and where they fit. The basis of the rookie profile involves the usage of STORM analysis, focusing on five key components: Situation, Talent, Opportunity, Risk, and Market.
Situation
Name: Cam Ward
Position: Quarterback
Pro Team: Tennessee Titans
College Team: Incarnate Word – Washington State – Miami
Draft Status: Round one, pick one
Ward is a fantastic story of overcoming the odds. Unranked and zero stars coming out of West Columbia Texas, Ward only broke 1,000 passing yards as a junior in high school and never went over more than ten touchdowns playing in a run-first wing-t offense. Incarnate Word was the only scholarship offer that Ward received coming out of high school.
Ward quickly showed his talent with an FCS-best 24 touchdowns against only four interceptions. During a COVID-shortened season, he was awarded the Jerry Rice Award as the best freshman in NCAA Division 1 FCS. In his sophomore campaign, he threw for 4,648 passing yards, 47 touchdowns, and only had ten interceptions. He won the Offensive Player of the Year award for the Southland Conference in this campaign, which put him on the map. At the end of the season, Ward announced that he would be entering the transfer portal and bringing his talents to the Palouse of Washington to play for the Washington State Cougars. Ward’s coach at Incarnate Word, Eric Morris, had been named the offensive coordinator for the Cougars, helping to seal the transfer deal.
His two years at WSU were marked with some up-and-down play. At times, Ward made some poor decisions trying to do too much on the field. In his 2022 junior season, he passed for 3,736 yards and 25 touchdowns and had only seven interceptions. His poor decisions never led to too many turnovers, but he did leave points on the field and missed open receivers at times. Ward announced his intent to declare for the draft after the 2023 season, but a chance to improve his draft stock and to take advantage of the NIL led him to transfer to Miami.
Ward proved this was the correct decision as he put up fantastic stats and tossed 39 touchdowns against only seven interceptions while playing in the ACC. He finished the season fourth in the Heisman race while winning the ACC Player of the Year award, the Davey O’Brien Award, and the Manning Award as the nation’s best college quarterback. Ward finished his college career setting the combined FCS (71) and FBS (87) touchdown record as he finished with 158 touchdowns.
Ward is the first zero-star college recruit to be selected with the first overall pick in the modern recruiting era, since the year 2000. He did not participate at the NFL combine and did a throwing routine at Miami’s Pro Day for scouts. He was selected first overall by the Titans and will be bringing the number one jersey out of retirement after it was retired for Oilers legend Warren Moon.
Talent
NFL Combine Results – Credit: NFL.com.
‘Small hands Twitter’ took to disparaging the QB during the combine when Ward’s hands measured in at 9 inches. While not in the Kenny Pickett zone of concern, Ward did have some fumble issues in college, but Joe Burrow had the same measurement and has done just fine. Ward’s fumbles at WSU were connected to trying to do too much and those up-and-down decision-making moments.
He has a solid frame and build. Ward can whip the ball into tight windows with great velocity. He has a sidearm release though that can cause issues when his mechanics break down. His film has some stellar deep ball throws where he drops it into the bucket over the defender – something that will work well in the NFL off play-action.
He is not a runner in the sense of Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen. However, he can move around the pocket to put defenders at a disadvantage in coverage and he doesn’t tuck and run when it is unnecessary. It was not as bad at Miami but at times Ward tries to play hero-ball and puts his team in negative situations and needs to take what the defense has given him. At times his footwork gets choppy and inconsistent, when combined with his sidearm release this can cause poor ball placement to his receivers and missed opportunities.
Opportunity
Courtesy of 4for4.
Will Levis was given his opportunity and the organization still decided to spend the first overall pick on Cam Ward. Adding in veteran Tyler Lockett will help Ward develop as a rookie. Lockett might not be a risk for any yards after catch at this point in his career but he is a consummate professional. Adding Lockett to this receiving room will benefit Calvin Ridley and Ward. The team is light on talent at this point in their franchise building, but the addition of Ward should be a plus.
Risk
Collegiate stats courtesy of Sports Reference.
Yes, there is risk in Ward. I like the addition of Lockett for what he can do to help Ward develop. He runs great routes and will find the soft spot in coverage. Ridley has had some great highs and has vanished at other times. The rest of the roster does not scream elite at this point. Ward can scramble for additional rushing points that fantasy fans look but those are more likely on broken plays than designed runs.
Market
Dynasty Value – Credit: DLF May 2025 Superflex Rookie Dynasty ADP.
Fantasy fans are playing smarter in superflex leagues as the top-drafted QBs are no longer a lock to be the top player taken. Ward is an interesting talent but I would place him easily after the top two running backs Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton. I could then find an argument to pick Tetairoa McMillan or Travis Hunter over Ward. With all that said, we know how QBs can hold value in superflex and especially those with high draft capital can hang around the league longer than lower-drafted players. Ward could be a great pick that you could flip after a good stretch for more value than if you shopped the pick around draft time.
Courtesy of May 2025 Superflex Dynasty ADP.
I am a little surprised to see JJ McCarthy holding value after a lost 2024 season because of his knee injury. In the group seen here of Baker Mayfield, Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, and McCarthy, it would depend on my draft picks up to this point. I don’t want Ward to be my first QB drafted and would lean towards the veterans. Marvin Harrison Jr is the easy pick if he manages to slide to this range and I would be more likely to address the RBs available here in a win-now mindset.
Courtesy of DLF’s trade analyzer.
The DLF trade analyzer views Ward as a solid value. He is a little older than some rookies, not Tyler Shough-type wisdom, but that could be a negative for some of the ageists in the fantasy crowd. Christian McCaffrey has fallen after an injury-plagued 2024 season and he will turn 29 in June. Sam LaPorta did not follow up a stellar rookie season in 2024 but could still be a solid value in trades. I likely would value McCarthy over Ward seeing him paired with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison over Lockett and Ridley.
Ward might not have that stellar rookie season that owners are looking for. This could make him a value later in the season if you wanted to trade for him or could have your team drafting early again in 2026. The 2026 rookie class looks to have much better QB depth and talent at the top of draft boards. It could be a good opportunity to trade down and accumulate picks to lock up the young QB of the future next year. Even saying that, it is hard to count out a zero-star recruit who became the first overall pick. If you want a fun player to root for go for Ward and enjoy watching him play in 2025 for the Titans with some ups and downs expected.
Pete is a Western Washington University (Go Vikings! Undefeated at Football since 2009!) History grad with a doctorate in dynasty football, from a certificate he bought online. He prefers stats and analytics but realizes film grinding is an important part of the process. Dabbles in "Mild Takes" and believes in the process.
- 2025 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Damien Martinez - July 9, 2025
- 2025 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Ollie Gordon - July 5, 2025
- 2025 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Cam Skattebo - July 2, 2025
The NFL Draft is behind us, rookie drafts are taking place, and as dynasty managers, we are looking ahead to the upcoming season. In our Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update series, we break down all the incoming fantasy-relevant rookies, looking at their profiles and where they fit. The basis of the rookie profile involves the usage of STORM analysis, focusing on five key components: Situation, Talent, Opportunity, Risk, and Market.
Situation
Name: Cam Ward
Position: Quarterback
Pro Team: Tennessee Titans
College Team: Incarnate Word – Washington State – Miami
Draft Status: Round one, pick one
Ward is a fantastic story of overcoming the odds. Unranked and zero stars coming out of West Columbia Texas, Ward only broke 1,000 passing yards as a junior in high school and never went over more than ten touchdowns playing in a run-first wing-t offense. Incarnate Word was the only scholarship offer that Ward received coming out of high school.
Ward quickly showed his talent with an FCS-best 24 touchdowns against only four interceptions. During a COVID-shortened season, he was awarded the Jerry Rice Award as the best freshman in NCAA Division 1 FCS. In his sophomore campaign, he threw for 4,648 passing yards, 47 touchdowns, and only had ten interceptions. He won the Offensive Player of the Year award for the Southland Conference in this campaign, which put him on the map. At the end of the season, Ward announced that he would be entering the transfer portal and bringing his talents to the Palouse of Washington to play for the Washington State Cougars. Ward’s coach at Incarnate Word, Eric Morris, had been named the offensive coordinator for the Cougars, helping to seal the transfer deal.
His two years at WSU were marked with some up-and-down play. At times, Ward made some poor decisions trying to do too much on the field. In his 2022 junior season, he passed for 3,736 yards and 25 touchdowns and had only seven interceptions. His poor decisions never led to too many turnovers, but he did leave points on the field and missed open receivers at times. Ward announced his intent to declare for the draft after the 2023 season, but a chance to improve his draft stock and to take advantage of the NIL led him to transfer to Miami.
Ward proved this was the correct decision as he put up fantastic stats and tossed 39 touchdowns against only seven interceptions while playing in the ACC. He finished the season fourth in the Heisman race while winning the ACC Player of the Year award, the Davey O’Brien Award, and the Manning Award as the nation’s best college quarterback. Ward finished his college career setting the combined FCS (71) and FBS (87) touchdown record as he finished with 158 touchdowns.
Ward is the first zero-star college recruit to be selected with the first overall pick in the modern recruiting era, since the year 2000. He did not participate at the NFL combine and did a throwing routine at Miami’s Pro Day for scouts. He was selected first overall by the Titans and will be bringing the number one jersey out of retirement after it was retired for Oilers legend Warren Moon.
Talent
NFL Combine Results – Credit: NFL.com.
‘Small hands Twitter’ took to disparaging the QB during the combine when Ward’s hands measured in at 9 inches. While not in the Kenny Pickett zone of concern, Ward did have some fumble issues in college, but Joe Burrow had the same measurement and has done just fine. Ward’s fumbles at WSU were connected to trying to do too much and those up-and-down decision-making moments.
He has a solid frame and build. Ward can whip the ball into tight windows with great velocity. He has a sidearm release though that can cause issues when his mechanics break down. His film has some stellar deep ball throws where he drops it into the bucket over the defender – something that will work well in the NFL off play-action.
He is not a runner in the sense of Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen. However, he can move around the pocket to put defenders at a disadvantage in coverage and he doesn’t tuck and run when it is unnecessary. It was not as bad at Miami but at times Ward tries to play hero-ball and puts his team in negative situations and needs to take what the defense has given him. At times his footwork gets choppy and inconsistent, when combined with his sidearm release this can cause poor ball placement to his receivers and missed opportunities.
Opportunity
Courtesy of 4for4.
Will Levis was given his opportunity and the organization still decided to spend the first overall pick on Cam Ward. Adding in veteran Tyler Lockett will help Ward develop as a rookie. Lockett might not be a risk for any yards after catch at this point in his career but he is a consummate professional. Adding Lockett to this receiving room will benefit Calvin Ridley and Ward. The team is light on talent at this point in their franchise building, but the addition of Ward should be a plus.
Risk
Collegiate stats courtesy of Sports Reference.
Yes, there is risk in Ward. I like the addition of Lockett for what he can do to help Ward develop. He runs great routes and will find the soft spot in coverage. Ridley has had some great highs and has vanished at other times. The rest of the roster does not scream elite at this point. Ward can scramble for additional rushing points that fantasy fans look but those are more likely on broken plays than designed runs.
Market
Dynasty Value – Credit: DLF May 2025 Superflex Rookie Dynasty ADP.
Fantasy fans are playing smarter in superflex leagues as the top-drafted QBs are no longer a lock to be the top player taken. Ward is an interesting talent but I would place him easily after the top two running backs Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton. I could then find an argument to pick Tetairoa McMillan or Travis Hunter over Ward. With all that said, we know how QBs can hold value in superflex and especially those with high draft capital can hang around the league longer than lower-drafted players. Ward could be a great pick that you could flip after a good stretch for more value than if you shopped the pick around draft time.
Courtesy of May 2025 Superflex Dynasty ADP.
I am a little surprised to see JJ McCarthy holding value after a lost 2024 season because of his knee injury. In the group seen here of Baker Mayfield, Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, and McCarthy, it would depend on my draft picks up to this point. I don’t want Ward to be my first QB drafted and would lean towards the veterans. Marvin Harrison Jr is the easy pick if he manages to slide to this range and I would be more likely to address the RBs available here in a win-now mindset.
Courtesy of DLF’s trade analyzer.
The DLF trade analyzer views Ward as a solid value. He is a little older than some rookies, not Tyler Shough-type wisdom, but that could be a negative for some of the ageists in the fantasy crowd. Christian McCaffrey has fallen after an injury-plagued 2024 season and he will turn 29 in June. Sam LaPorta did not follow up a stellar rookie season in 2024 but could still be a solid value in trades. I likely would value McCarthy over Ward seeing him paired with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison over Lockett and Ridley.
Ward might not have that stellar rookie season that owners are looking for. This could make him a value later in the season if you wanted to trade for him or could have your team drafting early again in 2026. The 2026 rookie class looks to have much better QB depth and talent at the top of draft boards. It could be a good opportunity to trade down and accumulate picks to lock up the young QB of the future next year. Even saying that, it is hard to count out a zero-star recruit who became the first overall pick. If you want a fun player to root for go for Ward and enjoy watching him play in 2025 for the Titans with some ups and downs expected.
Pete is a Western Washington University (Go Vikings! Undefeated at Football since 2009!) History grad with a doctorate in dynasty football, from a certificate he bought online. He prefers stats and analytics but realizes film grinding is an important part of the process. Dabbles in "Mild Takes" and believes in the process.
- 2025 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Damien Martinez - July 9, 2025
- 2025 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Ollie Gordon - July 5, 2025
- 2025 Dynasty Rookie Post-Draft Update: Cam Skattebo - July 2, 2025
