Welcome to SKOL Search!
This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
We are getting a head start this year by looking at the talent projected to be available in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft. Why start in the summer? It’s a good way to see how the players grow from year-to-year and we will be looking at players from a Vikings perspective.
Right now, the Vikings will have seven draft picks in the 2024 NFL draft.
- 1st round
- 2nd round
- 4th round
- 4th round (via Lions)
- 5th round (via Chiefs)
- 5th round (via Browns)
- 6th round
Background
Cam Ward
- School: Washington State
- Year entering: Fourth-year senior
- Height: 6020
- Weight: 220
- 247 Sports Recruiting Rank: Unranked as high school senior, four-star as a transfer (93 overall)
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Notes:
- Transferred from Incarnate Word prior to 2022 season
- Started for Incarnate Word for two seasons before entering the transfer portal
- Followed Incarnate Word head coach Eric Morris to Washington State where Morris became offensive coordinator
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Stats:
- Passing: 63.8% completion (887/1,390), 10,139 yards, 94 touchdowns, 23 interceptions
- Rushing: 222 attempts, 121 yards, 8 touchdowns
- Games watched: 2022 Wisconsin, 2022 Arizona, 2022 Washington
What does he do well?
- Understands how to lead receivers. In the Air Raid, it’s about leading receivers and utilizing proper placement. He does so really well in the screen game.
- Understands how to work through progressions. Usually, a pre-snap read will determine what half of the field Ward looks to, but he can go through a full field read.
- The main thing that stands out about Ward is his pocket presence. He doesn’t get phased by pressure and maneuvers the pocket in a similar way to Kyler Murray.
- Ward has a dual-threat ability, but he doesn’t choose to run. He wants to beat you from the pocket. What his skill set does allow is the ability to be creative. Here, they run a modified option where Ward has the choice to throw it.
- There is an arm arrogance about Ward that isn’t always a good thing, but he is willing to fit the ball into tight windows and has the talent to do so.
Where does he need improvement?
- Ward has a sidearm release that gets him into trouble at times
- When in the pocket, Ward will try to do too much. Instead of taking the safe play, he tends to try and do too much. It leads to more poor decisions than great plays.
- Ward also tends lock into a receiver and will throw the ball without seeing the coverage is good or miss a defender underneath.
- His arm is really strong, but overall he needs to use more touch on the football to truly get the most out of his ability.
- You could tell the adjustment to a higher level of football was difficult for him.
How does he fit with the Vikings?
From what we can gather about what Kevin O’Connell wants in a quarterback, Ward fits the bill. He has the ability to create with his legs and the arm talent paired with the willingness to dominate from the pocket. His ability to create is a net positive.
He will need some time to develop overall, but the toolset and option routes that Ward has worked with in the Air Raid will help his transition to working with the talented reciever.
Where does he project to go?
Ward was one of the hottest prospects in the nation in the transfer portal and looked to be going to a good situation in Pulman. He isn’t a perfect prospect, but there is a lot of talent to work with. He has plus arm talent with a dual-threat ability. He needs to clean some things up along with showing that the FBS level is one he can be consistent against and at times, dominate.
Projection: Late day two, early day three
