Combine Confidential reveals that NFL draft prospects favor Miami’s Cam Ward as the No. 1 overall pick for April’s draft. This prediction comes from an anonymous survey of 40 attendees at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, highlighting the excitement and speculation surrounding the upcoming draft.
Debate continues among analysts and fans alike about the Tennessee Titans’ strategy with their top pick. Will they hold onto it or trade for future assets? If they choose to keep the pick, will they select one of the top quarterbacks, or will they opt for one of the standout defensive players available?
The panel of prospects demonstrated a clear preference for a franchise quarterback, with Cam Ward leading the votes at 19. Following him was Penn State’s edge rusher Abdul Carter, garnering 10 votes. One player likened Carter to a “mini-Micah Parsons,” emphasizing his impressive skill set. Colorado’s dual-threat player, Travis Hunter, received eight votes, while his teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, finished with three.
[Related: What makes potential No. 1 pick Shedeur Sanders special: ‘He has a heroic nature’]
[Related: Can Travis Hunter really play two ways in the NFL? Here’s what it’ll take]
While these prospects are being considered for the top pick in the 2025 draft, history shows that the No. 1 selection doesn’t always translate to the best rookie performance. Inspired by this, the panel was asked to identify who they believe will be the breakout rookie star for the upcoming NFL season.
Many prospects humorously responded with “myself,” but upon a reminder of anonymity, they chose other players. Surprisingly, Cam Ward did not emerge as the favorite for this category. Instead, Travis Hunter narrowly beat Abdul Carter, receiving seven votes to Carter’s six. Ward followed with five votes, while Shedeur Sanders and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty secured three and two votes, respectively.
The single-vote selections serve as a reminder that these prospects are not professional draft analysts. Given the chance to name any player, some opted to highlight teammates or training partners. Here’s a list of additional players to keep an eye on this fall:
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
Donovan Ezeiruaku, edge, Boston College
Mike Green, edge, Marshall
Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State
Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
Landon Jackson, edge, Arkansas
Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville
Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
Brashard Smith, RB, SMU
Savion Williams, WR, TCU
Greg Auman serves as an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. With a decade of experience covering the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic, he provides valuable insights into the league. Follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.
