Cameron Ward Higher NFL Ceiling Than Caleb Williams

We should have heard more about Washington State quarterback (QB) Cameron Ward in 2023.

I had a pre-season first-round grade on Ward after he looked like a fish in water going from Incarnate Word (FCS) to Washington State (FBS).

That’s a piece of the puzzle.

Then last December, Ward lost his offensive coordinator, Eric Morris, who became the head coach at the University of North Texas. Ward had followed Morris to Washington State from Incarnate Word and according to 247Sports.com, was ‘shocked’ when that happened.

Ben Arbuckle became the Cougars’ new offensive coordinator for the 2023 season.

Ward has had three different offensive coordinators in four seasons.

The ability to adapt to different coaches and offensive schemes is another piece of the evaluation puzzle.

All Ward did was show further improvement.

-Interception total dropped from nine (2022) to seven (2023)

-Yardage went up from 3,231 yards (2022) to 3,735 yards (2023)

-Completion percentage increased from 64.4% (2022) to 66.6% (2023)

-Sacks dropped from 46 (2022) to 38 (2023)

The elephants in the room

For the second straight season, Ward tended to hold the ball too long at times.

Even the television announcer commented on this during the Colorado game.

When he gets the ball out of his hands, his ball short-to-intermediate placement tends to be on point. When he doesn’t, breakdowns occur, and ball location varies downfield. In 2023, I charted 19 PBUs (pass breakups) in 8 games evaluated (2.38 per game average). This number was identical in 2022.

In my gut, it felt like doubt occasionally crept into Ward’s mind when dropping back.

Television announcers touched on this in the Wisconsin and Colorado games ⎯Ward “Second guessing.”

At times on replays, it looked like nobody was open.

The release time litmus test will come when he has a more talented supporting cast. In 2023, Ward played on No. 71 ranked Washington State, had next to no run game (the leading team rusher was running back Nakia Watson with 321 yards), and had an undersized interior offensive line (Left Guard Christian Hillborn 6-foot-5, 320 pounds, Center Konner Gomness 6-foot-5, 286 pounds and Right Guard Brock Dieu 6-foot-3, 289 pounds).

Ward over Williams?

Ward threw for more yardage (3,735) in 2023 than Williams (3,633) and North Carolina’s Drake Maye (3,608). Ward’s completion percentage (66.6%) was behind Williams (68.6%), but better than Maye’s (63.3%).

Even more impressive was how Ward performed against ranked teams, whereas Williams (No. 39 USC) went down the drain as the competition level ratcheted up. Ward’s best four games on tape were against No. 19 Wisconsin, No. 14 Oregon State, No. 9 Oregon, and No. 4 Washington.

I like Ward’s maturity level far more. Ward also has more pocket discipline.

The ability to create and extend is right up there with Williams too. Granted, Williams produces far more explosive results from unscheduled plays, but Ward can make things happen too.

I’d take Cameron Ward over Caleb Williams.

Why?

The game film doesn’t lie.

#1 Cameron Ward 6-foot-2, 223 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 0% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of December 21, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Cameron Ward Reminds Former NFL Scout of Jalen Hurts (5 games evaluated in 2022)

Washington State QB Cameron Ward Looks the Part (3 games evaluated in 2022)

Game film reviewed (2023): Wisconsin, Northern Colorado, Oregon State, UCLA, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Good fit: Cowboys, Chiefs and Eagles

NFL comp: Jalen Hurts

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Athletic efficient dual-role rhythm who’s a quarterback first and a runner second. Sturdy frame. High football IQ. Downfield minded. Good field awareness. Flashes dynamic ability. Comfortable in the pocket. Inconsistent tempo, progressions, release time, and decision-making. NFL arm. Fits it into tight-throwing windows. Good designed rollout accuracy. Solid short to intermediate. Occasional bad decisions (seven charted in eight games – UCLA roughest with four). Average deep ball (6/14 charted). Below average accuracy under pressure. Manipulates the pocket and picks up chunks of running yardage. Absorbs some contact.

Final words

My advice to NFL teams, take Williams if the goal is selling season tickets, but take Ward if the goal is winning.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.