Earlier this week, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith presented his opinion on the ongoing Cam Ward-Shedeur Sanders QB1 debate. While discussing the upcoming NFL Draft on the popular show “First Take,” Smith made clear that he would choose the Miami Hurricanes quarterback Ward over the Colorado Buffaloes QB Sanders.
Both Ward and Sanders are widely expected to be the first two quarterbacks selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Both QBs had phenomenal seasons for their respective programs and have seen their draft stock rise in the process.
Stephen A. Smith’s 2025 NFL Draft QB1
Smith detailed how impressive Ward has been this past year and why he would select him over Sanders.
“When you look at Cam Ward, 67% of his passes completed, 4,313 yards, FBS-best 39 touchdowns, just seven interceptions, played five years in college, five years. In that time span, 4-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. We can’t ignore that. So, he has size, he has arm strength, he has all of those different things,” Smith explained.
.@stephenasmith says he would select Cam Ward over Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL draft 👀
"[Shedeur Sanders] is an upgrade from [Brock Purdy] athletically, … but that's what we're talking about here." 😳 pic.twitter.com/byZNxFzJlv
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 31, 2025
Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders PFN 2025 NFL Draft Projection
In Pro Football Network’s recent 2025 NFL Mock Draft, Chris Dodson had Ward selected No. 1 overall by the New York Giants (via a trade with the Tennessee Titans), while Sanders was taken No. 6 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
Dodson said, “Every NFL NFL saw the HBO ‘Hard Knocks’ episode with Jayden Daniels. The Giants decided to go in a different direction to disastrous results. Losing Saquon Barkley was just an extra layer of pain.
“Daniels and Barkley had two NFC East rivals one step away from a Super Bowl (congrats to Barkley and Co.). Now, there are reports of New York’s brass making multiple visits to see both Sanders and Cam Ward.
“The Giants, concerned with Sanders’ boom-or-bust risks, believe they can win with Ward’s strong arm and mobility. Ward is accurate and not prone to boneheaded decision-making or holding on to the ball too long. That is a big upgrade over what Daniel Jones was putting on tape the past few seasons. It’s also the first thing the NYC media would scrutinize with Sanders.”
Meanwhile, Dodson believes that “Sin City will love Shedeur Sanders. Prime Time will not have to worry about leadership with Tom Brady (owner) being more of a presence around the Raiders.
“Sanders has shown remarkable poise and passing accuracy in big moments. In others, there have been some head-scratching sacks. It is easy to see a potential franchise quarterback à la Jayden Daniels. Others will argue over some All-22 film that is more style than substance with some big Hunter highlights sprinkled in.”