ESPN NFL Draft analyst compares Cam Ward to ‘prime Russell Westbrook’

There’s going to be significant interest in Cam Ward from both the NFL Draft community and NFL teams alike.

The conversation around the Miami Hurricanes quarterback opting out of the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl not only lost the plot but completely missed the forest for the trees. The truth is, this decision is unlikely to have even the slightest morsel of impact on his draft stock.

NFL teams care far more about his arm talent, decision-making and ability to process defenses than they do about a symbolic appearance in a non-playoff bowl game.

And while the loudest voices of dissent may frame his decision as a lack of competitiveness or commitment, those closer to the NFL evaluation process understand that protecting future earning potential is just smart business.

One of those closer to the NFL evaluation process is Jordan Reid. The ESPN NFL Draft analyst, who Awful Announcing named one of its rising stars in sports media for 2024, offers a clear-eyed perspective on Ward’s potential — and provides one of the funniest comparisons Kevin Clark has heard this draft cycle.

“I know a lot of people are not really interested in this quarterback class outside of him and Shedeur Sanders,” Reid told Clark on his This is Football show. “But, the best comparison and I actually put this in my scouting report and shared it with a buddy who works in the league, when talking about Cam, is that it’s kind of like watching prime Russell Westbrook. In you know he’s gonna give it his all every single night. There’s gonna be some electrifying plays, but there’s going to be some plays like, ‘Man, what the hell was he doing on that play?’

“So, he reminds me a lot of prime Russell Westbrook, as far as just trying to compare him. And I know it’s a different sport, but just try to explain the Cam Ward experience and how I think it’s going to be very similar on the next level. And, you know, with Cam, there’s going to be nine or 10 plays that make you sit up in your seat, but there’s also gonna be one or two plays that leave you scratching your head, as well.”

So @Jordan_Reid dropped one of the funniest comps I’ve heard this draft cycle so far. His best comp for Cam Ward? Prime RUSSELL WESTBROOK. More from Jordan on This Is Football: pic.twitter.com/Nd4PZ8xiU4

— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) January 3, 2025

Clark pointed out that while Ward has a couple of traditional interceptions, his biggest mistakes tend to come from those cross-body, off-platform throws when he’s trying to do too much. But much like Josh Allen, his ability to make big plays more than makes up for those occasional “What the hell?” moments.

And the thinking from both ESPNers is that Ward is going to be really, really good at the next level.

“Yeah, I agree with you,” Reid replied. “I think Cam’s going to be a really good starter on the next level. He just has to get with a coach that’s really demanding. And, I don’t think you’re ever going to get — what I like to call that ‘itch’ of him — just trying to get the thrill of those big plays. I think that’s always going to be in him, but I say that as a positive, honestly, because you want a quarterback, once again, that wants to try to push the ball down the field.

“Now, you want to eliminate a lot of those cross-body, throwing back across the field, like we saw against Cal. And he had a couple in some other games, as well… It’s sandlot football — hero moments. That’s all it is. That’s what he tries to do. And you have to try to get those eliminated or minimize a lot of those with him. But, once again, I think his aggressive nature is going to be positive to some coaches that really accept the challenge of coaching him at the next level.”

Ward’s game is a high-wire act — full of breathtaking plays and head-scratching missteps.

It’s the kind of wild, unrefined talent that NFL teams can’t ignore. Much like Russell Westbrook’s relentless pursuit of greatness, Ward’s raw potential, even with its flaws, will have scouts looking past the occasional stumble in pursuit of the electrifying moments that make a franchise quarterback.

*cough, cough* Josh Allen.

[Kevin Clark]