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Dan Orlovsky, former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst, highlights significant distinctions between two of the top quarterback prospects for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft: Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. Orlovsky’s analysis is based on studying their gameplay, particularly emphasizing why he views Ward as the frontrunner for the top selection while considering Sanders as a more challenging assessment.
“Upon reviewing Cam Ward’s tape, I found him to be far more impressive in the pocket than I had expected,” Orlovsky noted regarding Ward, who is drawing attention as a potential first overall pick. “He demonstrates exceptional playmaking ability both in and outside the pocket, a critical skill for any quarterback today, especially those aiming for early draft selection. His precise throws and nimble footwork left a strong impression on me.”
Ward’s remarkable performance at the University of Miami, where he finished as a Heisman Trophy runner-up, has set him apart. The Hurricanes achieved an impressive record of 9-0 to start the 2024 season, largely thanks to Ward’s skills. He led the nation’s top offense, averaging nearly 44 points per game, and threw for 39 touchdowns and over 4,300 yards this season, earning him Consensus All-American honors.
“Much of his playing style aligns well with the needs of the Tennessee Titans under head coach Brian Callahan,” Orlovsky added, expressing his surprise at Ward’s overall performance exceeding his initial expectations.
In contrast, Orlovsky’s evaluation of Shedeur Sanders conveys a sense of caution. He describes Sanders, the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, as the “most difficult” prospect he has assessed since beginning his analyst role in 2022. Orlovsky points out that a substantial portion of Sanders’ throws were short-range, often occurring just beyond the line of scrimmage.
“Half of his snaps come from situations at or behind the line of scrimmage, where the majority of his throws are under five yards,” Orlovsky explained. “You can’t justify drafting a player in the top five with such a limited range of throws. At a certain level, quarterbacks are expected to perform well in those situations.”
He acknowledges the challenges Sanders faced, including a struggling offensive line that often necessitated quick, short throws. While he can appreciate Sanders’ accuracy, Orlovsky notes that the quarterback does not possess overwhelming physical attributes. “You’re not likely to draft a player highly based solely on those short throws,” Orlovsky remarked. “He’s not the prototypical size or strength you’d expect from a top prospect, and while he displays good accuracy, it doesn’t match the elite placement seen in players like CJ Stroud.”
When comparing Sanders to other quarterbacks, Orlovsky cites figures such as Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa, and Baker Mayfield, all of whom have enjoyed successful careers despite lacking standout physical traits. “There are aspects of Sanders’ game that are appealing, but you want to identify that rare talent, which may not be prominently featured in his skillset,” he stated, noting that this doesn’t rule out his potential to become a solid player.
Orlovsky believes a landing spot for Sanders with the New Orleans Saints, who hold the ninth overall pick and are currently assessing their quarterback situation with Derek Carr dealing with injuries, could be advantageous. He summarizes his analysis by stating that Sanders is a quarterback you can rely on to help win games, but not necessarily one that elevates a team to victory on his own. This puts him in a category alongside steady quarterbacks like Purdy and Tagovailoa, who thrive in structured, supportive offensive systems.
Dan Orlovsky Explores the NFL x AWS-Powered Draft IQ Platform
As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, Orlovsky is engaging with a new analytics-driven platform called Draft IQ, developed through a collaboration between the NFL and AWS. This innovative tool is designed to help predict draft outcomes for each team while considering their unique needs and historical tendencies in player selection.
“This platform enables users to navigate the complex landscape of draft predictions effectively, merging current analytics with historical data,” Orlovsky explained. He further elaborated on how the platform can inform fans about potential draft strategies, offering a deep dive into individual team profiles and drafting tendencies.
“For someone like me, I can quickly access a team’s profile, view all their picks, and assess their potential needs for each draft round,” he said, illustrating the user-friendly nature of Draft IQ. “The tool offers insights into which players might fit their strategies, displaying data clearly through visual aids like pie charts.”
Orlovsky believes that the Draft IQ platform serves a wide variety of NFL fans, whether they are draft enthusiasts or casual viewers, making it accessible and engaging.
“The beauty of this platform lies in its versatility; it caters to those wanting to delve deep into the analytics as well as those looking for straightforward information,” Orlovsky concluded. “This allows fans to feel as if they’re part of the strategic decision-making process, akin to being in the draft war room.”
Source
www.forbes.com