Cam Ward could be the next Patrick Mahomes and the NFL is starting to think about it within hours of him being selected by the Titans in the NFL Draft

Cam Ward appears to be the only quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft class with a locked-in draft position, barring an unexpected twist where the Tennessee Titans opt for another player or trade down to shift the franchise's direction.

For now, Ward is poised to be the No. 1 overall pick, thanks to his exceptional talent and traits that draw comparisons to one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks.

Cam Ward compared to Patrick Mahomes

In an article by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, executives, coaches, and scouts shared insights on quarterback prospects, offering both praise and criticism. For Cam Ward, projected as the top pick, one comment stood out.

"There's one guy that's head and shoulders above the rest in Cam Ward," an AFC quarterbacks coach told Pelissero. "He's the one that you [see] a bona fide starter. The natural comparison is (Patrick) Mahomes and Caleb Williams from last year. The same type of playmaking ability and arm talent. The same hesitancies you see, as well, in terms of just playing on schedule more consistently. But I like him a lot. It's pretty obvious that he's going to be the first overall pick, and I think he's worth it."

The former Miami Hurricanes quarterback skyrocketed from a projected Day 3 pick to the No. 1 spot in most mock drafts. A Heisman Trophy finalist, Ward set a school record with 39 touchdown passes.

Over his college career, he started 57 games, completing 65.1% of his passes for 18,184 yards and rushing for 20 touchdowns.

Comparisons to Patrick Mahomes' 2017 college tape are striking. "Their arm angles and their ability to throw sidearm, different crazy throws off the wrong foot downfield but staying completely accurate -- that is eerily the same," an AFC coordinator said.

It's clear that Cam Ward is headed to the Tennessee Titans. Now, the question is how his game will translate to the ultra-competitive NFL, where elevating skills to the next level is essential.