Why the Saints Should Avoid Trading Up for Cam Ward
The New Orleans Saints should not consider moving from the ninth pick to the first overall selection.
There’s an old saying that insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results. With that in mind…
In 1999, the Saints made a historic trade, giving up their first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh-round picks, along with first- and third-rounders in 2000, to move up and draft Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams. The investment didn’t pay off—Williams played only three seasons in New Orleans before heading to Miami, where off-field issues and an inconsistent career defined his tenure. While he had standout moments, including a 1,853-yard season in 2002, he never justified the steep price the Saints paid.
Fast forward 25 years, and rumors are circulating that the Saints might attempt something similar—this time for quarterback Cam Ward. While the trade package wouldn’t be as extreme, the premise remains: sacrificing significant draft capital to secure a single player.
Ward, who led Miami to a 10-3 record while throwing for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, is widely regarded as the top quarterback prospect of this class. He’s won the Manning and Davey O’Brien Awards, proving his talent. However, mortgaging the future for a “maybe” is too great a risk—especially for a team with multiple roster needs beyond quarterback.
While Ward has potential, I believe he is somewhat overrated. In a typical draft class, he would likely be the fourth or fifth quarterback selected. His current status as a top prospect is largely due to the overall weakness of this year’s QB pool.
That said, I don’t think the Saints will actually make this move—it’s simply not Mickey Loomis’s style. However, with speculation running rampant on social media, it’s important to put this discussion to rest.
Sorry, Who Dat Nation, but Cam Ward won’t be your quarterback in 2025.
