The New York Jets want the 2025 NFL Draft to go according to their plans if they want to recoup and recover after a forgetful 5-12 season, one coach sacked, and a quarterback well past his prime.
The NFL Draft buzz is heating up, and former NFL executive Louis Riddick has firmly planted his flag in the Cam Ward camp. Riddick, a candidate for the New York Jets’ general manager position, shared his endorsement of the Miami Hurricanes quarterback.
Ex-NFL Safety Louis Riddick Terms Cam Ward as ‘Stone-Cold Killer’
Appearing on “This Is Football,” Riddick didn’t hold back in his praise for Ward, calling him a “stone-cold killer” with the kind of alpha mentality that commands respect in an NFL locker room. He said, “This dude is a stone-cold killer. No question. You talk about alphas, in-your-face alphas, quarterbacks who are the tip of the spear and want to hold everyone else accountable.”
“What he did with that football team last spring before Miami played in the fall of 2024. The way he challenged people who were already there, the way he talked to them, the way in which he said I don’t know what you’re used to but it ain’t gonna be that way now. This is a guy who hadn’t even taken a snap yet for the team. Legendary,” Riddick continued.
I asked @LRiddickESPN the best player he saw this college season. He had two: Cam Ward and Ashton Jeanty.
On Cam: "This dude is a stone cold killer. When you talk about alphas, in your face alphas…"
On Jeanty: "Ashton is Emmitt Smith with 4.3, 4.4 speed." pic.twitter.com/Gy70EHe4dj
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) January 16, 2025
Ward’s on-field production backs up the hype — he threw for an eye-popping 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns in his lone season with Miami, leading the Hurricanes to a 10-3 record and a place in the Heisman Trophy finalists.
Ward isn’t the only quarterback in the spotlight. Colorado Buffaloes QB and NFL legend Deion Sanders’ son, Shedeur Sanders, has also entered the conversation for the top draft spot. Sanders boasts pinpoint accuracy and a knack for delivering under pressure, but Riddick believes Ward’s playmaking ability and upside make him the better pick.
“Ward is the QB1 in this draft,” Riddick confirmed, aligning with host Kevin Clark’s assessment.
MORE: Former NFL QB Sees Cam Ward Taking the No. 1 Spot Despite Hype Around Shedeur Sanders
Still, Riddick acknowledged the areas Ward must improve, particularly his tendency for nonchalant pocket play — “He knows he won’t get away with some of that at the next level.”
Riddick believes Ward’s ability to adjust will be critical to his NFL success. The Tennessee Titans, currently holding the No. 1 pick, could be the team to take that gamble as they search for a long-term answer at quarterback.
These insights from Riddick come as he vies for the Jets’ general manager role. The 55-year-old has a decorated front-office CV that includes stints as director of player personnel for both the Eagles and Commanders.
The draft conversation will intensify as April approaches, and Riddick’s advocacy for Ward could shape how teams approach their quarterback selections. Whether or not he lands the Jets’ GM role, any NFL team looking to address their QB woes would pay heed to Riddick’s voice.