Saints met with top QB prospect Cam Ward at the Combine (24 Viewers)

[saintfan1972]

I thought it was McCarthy that was pushing Brooks to stop scrambling and stay in the pocket.

Probably was but Haslett was HC so I blame him

 

[RJS]

They met Ewers today also

Turns out he had a torn oblique last year and played through it.

Ewers is an interesting prospect. He's gone from over-hyped to under the radar in the media.

 

[Geldo]

To trade up from 1-9 to 1-1 two years ago cost the Panthers:

• 2023 (1-9, 2-61)
• 2024 (1-1)
• 2025: (2-39)
• DJ Moore

No matter how good Ward could end up being....I think I'll pass.

 

[60minutes]

Cue overreactions in 3...2...1...

LOL!

I need to watch his tape and grade him, but falling to 9th would be unexpected

Saints have spoken to Titans. Nothing serious. Just feeling things out. Costs would be extremely high to move plus unless Titans budge but Saints do love Ward.

Didn’t 60minutes or someone else say that the Saints like Cam Ward?

I did and they do. In fact, Ireland and his team have spoken to people at all three schools Cam attended. Pretty unusual situation but at least it allows for different points of view on Ward. Larger point is they are doing a ton of homework on him, which is unusual in the sense that it is heightened.

Underhill has also been saying they like Cam, but they don’t think they will be in a position to get him. He also says they like Sanders, but not at 9, more at 40.

Yes, they like Sanders but he carries a second round grade for them. Ward is their only QB currently with a first round grade. There doesn’t have to be an overreaction to this however since Saints will only have roughly 11-14 players graded as first rounders.

They met Ewers today also

Turns out he had a torn oblique last year and played through it.

They met with several of them, including Sanders as well. It’s standard though the amount of attention and resources being paid to Ward feels unusual.

Here’s my sense: if Titans were to come with a more reasonable offer Saints will go up to #1 for Ward. Potentially keeping Carr allows this team to be more aggressive in FA and do the things needed to start building this team in Kellen’s vision. But by no means are they married to Derek. Fans who hate the decision have to understand the context—it is transactional. But I get the strongest indication that the interest in Cam Ward is very, very real. And if they don’t move up (because again it won’t be cheap) I think it is still Jeanty or Warren with a few others garnering consideration.

 

[60minutes]

To trade up from 1-9 to 1-1 two years ago cost the Panthers:

• 2023 (1-9, 2-61)
• 2024 (1-1)
• 2025: (2-39)
• DJ Moore

No matter how good Ward could end up being....I think I'll pass.

I disagree. As much as I’d prefer we use all our picks, I think Ward is an exceptional talent. If he lives up to his talent and ends up being the franchise QB for the next decade plus, the value of having that will far exceed the picks lost to attain him. It only looks bad when it doesn’t work out and that’s scary part because there’s always uncertainty. But I guarantee that the Chiefs feel no regret about what they gave up to land Mahomes.

Edit: Point is, if you say that you wouldn’t want to make that move even if he ends up being really good, then I disagree with that take.

I also know this—I think Jeff Ireland is a very good judge of QBs. Like really insightful though it hasn’t shown or factored into what we’ve been able to do. But how he has graded/ranked QBs has been spot on.

 

[Elvis]

I disagree. As much as I’d prefer we use all our picks, I think Ward is an exceptional talent. If he lives up to his talent and ends up being the franchise QB for the next decade plus, the value of having that will far exceed the picks lost to attain him. It only looks bad when it doesn’t work out and that’s scary part because there’s always uncertainty. But I guarantee that the Chiefs feel no regret about what they gave up to land Mahomes.

Edit: Point is, if you say that you wouldn’t want to make that move even if he ends up being really good, then I disagree with that take.

I also know this—I think Jeff Ireland is a very good judge of QBs. Like really insightful though it hasn’t shown or factored into what we’ve been able to do. But how he has graded/ranked QBs has been spot on.

I won't mind if they swing and miss on a high draft pick QB that they have done a deep dive on like they seem to have done with Ward. They simply haven't done that in the last 44 years. Trading more draft picks away for that gamble is tough though. We've had so few drafted players over the last 5 years that it's no longer sustainable. So I'd have some mixed feelings if they did it.

 

[Tulsa Saint]

Appreciate all the insight 60!

I can understand for sure a gamble on Ward(I like him too) but like Elvis said it’s a bit of a catch 22 with the lack of picks we’ve had recently.

It is tempting though and I could certainly come around to it IF it happens.

 

[St. Widge]

I won't mind if they swing and miss on a high draft pick QB that they have done a deep dive on like they seem to have done with Ward. They simply haven't done that in the last 44 years. Trading more draft picks away for that gamble is tough though. We've had so few drafted players over the last 5 years that it's no longer sustainable. So I'd have some mixed feelings if they did it.

I'd prefer not to have to trade up, but if they have a conviction that Ward is going to be great, and the cost isn't crazy, I'd be happy for them to take a swing on Ward. As you've mentioned before, it's been far, far too long since they took at QB in round 1. And, QB is the one position that I'm okay with a trade up for in the first. It's the one position that really can change an entire team. You need more than a QB to be a great team, but I'm not sure you can be a great team without a great QB.

As far as Ward, I've always thought he was by far the best QB in this class. He needs to do a better job of throwing in rhythm but he has a great arm and good accuracy. And while he's not really a runner, he can buy time in the pocket and make off schedule throws. I'd say he's probably a better runner than Rattler who isn't much of a runner but is a good enough athlete to at least take the easy chunk yards when they are there. I'm not sure if Ward is going to be great, but if he is, take the shot.

 

[St. Widge]

Ewers is an interesting prospect. He's gone from over-hyped to under the radar in the media.

I saw something yesterday that said he played the year with a strained or torn oblique muscle. So that could explain some of the regression in his game this year.

 

[Elvis]

I'd prefer not to have to trade up, but if they have a conviction that Ward is going to be great, and the cost isn't crazy, I'd be happy for them to take a swing on Ward. As you've mentioned before, it's been far, far too long since they took at QB in round 1. And, QB is the one position that I'm okay with a trade up for in the first. It's the one position that really can change an entire team. You need more than a QB to be a great team, but I'm not sure you can be a great team without a great QB.

As far as Ward, I've always thought he was by far the best QB in this class. He needs to do a better job of throwing in rhythm but he has a great arm and good accuracy. And while he's not really a runner, he can buy time in the pocket and make off schedule throws. I'd say he's probably a better runner than Rattler who isn't much of a runner but is a good enough athlete to at least take the easy chunk yards when they are there. I'm not sure if Ward is going to be great, but if he is, take the shot.

I get it, but it would probably take #9, #40 and at least next years second and probably more to move up to #1. For one player when we really need all three of those picks. I would grumble about losing those players and then still be sitting with Carr, Ward and Rattler when only one of them can be on the field at a time.

 

[St. Widge]

I get it, but it would probably take #9, #40 and at least next years second and probably more to move up to #1. For one player when we really need all three of those picks. I would grumble about losing those players and then still be sitting with Carr, Ward and Rattler when only one of them can be on the field at a time.

I wouldn't do that deal. But, there is a chance that the Titans lower the price to something more reasonable since I don't think a lot of teams are going to want to move up in this draft. It's also possible that Ward falls. It seems unlikely that he falls past Cleveland and New York, but you never know. Maybe they sign starting QBs in free agency? If he falls to #5, the cost might not be too high.

 

[Elvis]

I wouldn't do that deal. But, there is a chance that the Titans lower the price to something more reasonable since I don't think a lot of teams are going to want to move up in this draft. It's also possible that Ward falls. It seems unlikely that he falls past Cleveland and New York, but you never know. Maybe they sign starting QBs in free agency? If he falls to #5, the cost might not be too high.

Just looking at the Rich Hill draft value chart, it'll likely take two 1st's and two 2nd's to get the Titans pick. Far too much for me. If he fell to 5, then we're probably more in a reasonable value.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

LOL!

Saints have spoken to Titans. Nothing serious. Just feeling things out. Costs would be extremely high to move plus unless Titans budge but Saints do love Ward.

I did and they do. In fact, Ireland and his team have spoken to people at all three schools Cam attended. Pretty unusual situation but at least it allows for different points of view on Ward. Larger point is they are doing a ton of homework on him, which is unusual in the sense that it is heightened.

Yes, they like Sanders but he carries a second round grade for them. Ward is their only QB currently with a first round grade. There doesn’t have to be an overreaction to this however since Saints will only have roughly 11-14 players graded as first rounders.

They met with several of them, including Sanders as well. It’s standard though the amount of attention and resources being paid to Ward feels unusual.

Here’s my sense: if Titans were to come with a more reasonable offer Saints will go up to #1 for Ward. Potentially keeping Carr allows this team to be more aggressive in FA and do the things needed to start building this team in Kellen’s vision. But by no means are they married to Derek. Fans who hate the decision have to understand the context—it is transactional. But I get the strongest indication that the interest in Cam Ward is very, very real. And if they don’t move up (because again it won’t be cheap) I think it is still Jeanty or Warren with a few others garnering consideration.

Appreciate the info as always 60