In quarterback rooms across the league, the debates have already started. Scouts who saw Cam Ward light up Washington State tape two years ago remember the arm angles, the mobility, the flashes of something uncoached. Then came the transfer to Miami and the quiet retool—fewer hero plays, more structure, cleaner decisions. With Shedeur Sanders, it’s the opposite arc. Evaluators point to a brutal Colorado offensive line, 52 sacks, and yet—he never sped up, never flinched. The mechanics held, the accuracy stayed. It’s why some teams see Ward as the swing-for-the-fence upside pick, and Sanders as the steady hand. Same draft board, different philosophies.
On the April 11th episode of The Rich Eisen Show, guest host Tom Pelissero dove into draft talk with Darrell Colbert Jr., HC and founder of Select QB Athletics. And at the center of the convo? Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward—two rising stars expected to headline this year’s NFL Draft class. Here, Colbert didn’t hold back when he started drawing parallels, especially for Ward. And he dropped a bold comparison, saying, “I’m not saying that this kid is Patrick Mahomes, but the play style is Patrick Mahomes — how they, like you said, how they look, the build — but just all the different arm angles, all the off-platform stuff that they, that Pat does, Cam does.” While it’s a big praise, it sets even bigger expectations.
But Colbert didn’t shy away from highlighting the Mahomes-Ward connection. He pointed to their shared baseball roots—something that’s molded their unique throwing styles. “You know, the baseball background that Cam has, Patrick Mahomes has,” said Colbert, emphasizing how that history fuels Cam’s creativity on the field. Moreover, he added that Ward studies Mahomes closely, watching how he thrives without changing who he is. And that gave Cam serious confidence. “Seeing Pat go into the NFL and not change who he was… that’s what’s making him successful,” explained Colbert. And now, Ward is following that same script—arm angles, off-platform throws, and all.
Here, Colbert Jr. didn’t hold back when it came to praising Cam Ward’s game. Well, the QB trainer saw flashes of greatness and didn’t hesitate to draw a bold parallel, stating, “He’s like, ‘Okay, shoot, I do the same stuff, you know.’” Colbert recalled Ward saying this after watching Patrick Mahomes shine in the NFL. That moment of realization lit a spark. “That’s my comparison,” stated Colbert. Adding, “Of course, you know, Keller Williams does a lot of that stuff as well, but my comparison would be Patrick Mahomes. I’m not saying he’s Patrick Mahomes, but his play style is very close—very close.” So, it’s a confident nod to greatness—and a bold belief in what Ward brings to the table.
Then came the Shedeur comparison. And it hit home. “I think Joe Burrow is a great fit,” said Colbert. One of the CU guys had floated the idea last year, and it stuck. Calm, confident, and unshakable, just like Burrow, Shedeur Sanders doesn’t ride the emotional rollercoaster. “He’s one of the guys who’s literally always that. He never gets too high, never gets too low,” added Colbert. But that even-keeled presence? It’s what makes the Burrow-Shedeur parallel so perfect.
However, Colbert kept the praise rolling, diving deeper into why the Burrow-Shedeur comp fits like a glove. “Joe does a great job of being accurate, understanding the system,” said Colbert. But it’s more than that. Colbert pointed to Burrow’s Super Bowl season — the year he was the most sacked QB in the NFL, yet still elite. “That’s who Shedeur was last year,” said QB coach. Yes, sacked 50+ times, yet still lighting up the stat sheet. Accuracy? Check. Calm under pressure? Check. “Very sneaky athletic — same thing with Shedeur,” added Colbert. So, for him, the fit was clear: Burrow and Shedeur? Cut from the same cloth.
Here, while these two NCAA standout QBs draw comparisons to NFL stars, the real question is — how far can their pro futures take them?
Shedeur and Cam Ward’s NFL fate
NFL teams spend millions and months crafting the perfect roster. Every move on offense and defense feeds into a master plan — whether it’s to rebuild, rise, or make a title run. But everything starts at quarterback. It’s the heartbeat of the franchise. Last year, six teams grabbed their future QB in the first round — from Caleb Williams to Bo Nix. Five of them saw the field, with Jayden Daniels even leading Washington to a shocking NFC title game appearance. However, this year? The QB class doesn’t hit the same. Miami’s Cam Ward is the top name — but he might’ve been QB4 just one draft ago.
As of now, Cam Ward stands tall as this draft class’s top quarterback prospect — no debate. He brings the full package: elite arm strength, true NFL mobility, and the kind of upside that screams long-term starter. Shedeur Sanders, on the other hand, has a smooth, accurate arm and sharp timing. He flashes NFL traits, especially when he’s in rhythm. But unlike Ward, Sanders hasn’t shown those rare, game-breaking tools just yet.
At Colorado, shaky protection often left him scrambling. Still, when he’s locked in, Sanders looks every bit the part of a solid starter at the next level. Now let’s see which of the 32 NFL teams check the right boxes — where Cam Ward’s dynamic skillset meets demand, and where Shedeur Sanders’ pinpoint accuracy fits like a glove.
The post Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders’ QB Coach Has $725M Response to Their NFL Quarterback Comparison appeared first on EssentiallySports.
