In the 2025 NFL Draft, Kurt Warner ranks Cam Ward ahead of Shedeur Sanders due to Ward’s potential for growth and adaptability in various offensive schemes. Warner, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, brings a wealth of experience to the evaluation process, making his insights particularly valuable.
During their discussion, they explored the quarterback prospects for the upcoming draft, focusing on Ward and Sanders. Recently, Warner expressed his belief that Ward has the tools to excel at the next level, particularly in a well-structured offense. As Warner prepares for his role in NFL Network’s Draft Day coverage, he shares his thoughts on the two quarterbacks just weeks before the event.
Here’s a glimpse into their conversation.
Klatt: You had the opportunity to evaluate all the quarterbacks at the combine. How do you view this class overall, and what impressions did you take away from Indianapolis?
Warner: I found this class to be solid overall. Reflecting on the combine, I noticed a mix of talents—some players stood out while others fell short. Several quarterbacks demonstrated strong throwing abilities, which is encouraging. Personally, I don’t delve into extensive tape study before the combine; I prefer to see the players live first. Afterward, I analyze their performances on film, which I’ve been doing recently.
What intrigues me is that, upon reviewing the tape, many of the top quarterbacks exhibit similar processing skills and field-reading abilities. If you stripped away their names, you might think, “I’ve seen this type of quarterback before.” There’s a sense of familiarity among them.
Klatt: Considering Cam Ward, what kind of offensive system do you believe he would excel in at the professional level?
Warner: That’s an insightful question. I think that, while Cam possesses talent, he might not be the type of athlete who can thrive solely on his athleticism in the NFL, unlike quarterbacks such as Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, or Patrick Mahomes. For these players to succeed, they will need to rely on their processing abilities and quick decision-making. I don’t see many of them as being particularly adept at extending plays or eluding defenders.
This is where my frustration lies when watching college tape. In Cam’s case, I noticed that a large percentage of his throws were either to his primary receiver or resulted from scrambling. There wasn’t much evidence of him progressing through his reads effectively.
This pattern was apparent with several quarterbacks. While most can make standard throws, I didn’t observe the necessary processing skills to navigate complex defenses. If they struggle with this at the NFL level, it raises concerns about their ability to succeed.
Klatt: How do you assess Shedeur Sanders?
Warner: Shedeur might possess the most catchable ball among this group, meaning his throws are accurate and easy for receivers to handle. His ability to pace his throws is impressive; he doesn’t rely on sheer strength, which is a valuable trait. His touch on deep passes is commendable.
In evaluating his performance, I focused on the last four games of the season. I noticed that Shedeur often appeared uneasy in the pocket. It was rare to see him confidently set his feet and deliver a pass. His discomfort in the pocket could be attributed to the challenges he faced with the offensive line, which might have contributed to his hesitance.
This raises important questions about his ability to process plays effectively. He often seemed to lock onto his first read and then struggled to adjust, which is concerning. Was this due to the offensive line’s performance, or is it a deeper issue?
While I appreciated some of his throws and the variety of concepts he attempted, I had similar reservations about his ability to throw downfield. Last year, I observed Bo Nix facing comparable challenges. However, Nix managed to navigate a complex playbook, which contributed to his successful transition to the NFL.
