Washington State quarterback Cam Ward declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, via a social media announcement. Ward had been weighing his options between declaring, entering the transfer portal, or returning to the Cougars for another season. The 2024 quarterback class just got better following Ward's entrance into the pool of prospects.
Ward completed 67% of his passing attempts in 2023 for 3,732 yards, 25 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, finishing fourth nationwide in regular-season yardage. Ward now departs the Cougars with 6,963 passing yards and 48 touchdowns, marks that rank eighth and seventh in program history, respectively.
We've identified three potential landing spots for Ward in the 2024 NFL Draft.
NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants find themselves at a crossroads. General manager Joe Schoen can't realistically escape the $160 million contract they awarded Daniel Jones last offseason. After Jones regressed in 2023 and spent the majority of the season on IR, the Giants are once again in quarterback purgatory.
The Giants currently own the No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Unless they aggressively trade up, they'll likely miss an opportunity to draft Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Are the Giants willing to take the third-best quarterback in the draft when they've already invested so much capital into Jones? A more realistic scenario sees the Giants drafting a mid-round developmental quarterback that's eventually capable of pushing Jones and Tommy DeVito. Ward fits the bill.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
The Steelers are another team that probably has too much invested in their young quarterback to admit defeat this quickly. But the wavering signs are present. Sophomore first-round quarterback Kenny Pickett was recently benched in favor of a well-performing Mason Rudolph. Pickett will remain on the bench for Pittsburgh's decisive Week 18 contest despite being medically cleared to return from an ankle injury.
The Steelers haven't had consistency at the quarterback position this season. They've started three different signal callers, including Mitchell Trubisky, who's unlikely to return in 2024. The relationship between Pickett and the Steelers appears to be deteriorating. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has flashed an outstanding ability to develop mid-round talents throughout his Hall-of-Fame-worthy coaching career. Pittsburgh would represent a terrific landing spot for Ward's untapped potential.
NEW YORK JETS
The Jets are all in on the 2024 campaign. After experiencing a wasted season in 2023 thanks to a season-ending injury to quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 1, general manager Joe Douglas will spend the impending offseason investing in the Jets' closing Super Bowl window. That means the Jets will likely use their premium first-round pick on an offensive lineman or wide receiver.
But with Rodgers entering his age-41 season, Douglas must weigh the future, too. Former No. 3 overall selection Zach Wilson could depart the Jets this offseason. If the Jets and Wilson part ways this summer, Douglas should take a mid-round flier on a quarterback with Ward's upside.
