Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, has experienced unusually low media attention in the lead-up to his NFL debut. This lack of coverage has drawn comparisons to the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker, a former top pick.
NFL writer Jacob Robinson of The Athletic highlighted this situation on Monday. He began by asking, “Remember No. 1 pick, Cam Ward?”
Robinson noted that the buildup to the NFL draft is typically an intense, months-long process, especially for quarterbacks selected first. However, he pointed out that Ward has received little media attention.
“Even the relatively minimally heralded Alex Smith, 2005’s No. 1 pick, graced covers of magazines and newspapers across the country,” Robinson wrote. “Instead of Ward, Travis Hunter (and two fish) landed Sports Illustrated’s NFL Draft preview cover.”
Robinson drew a parallel to Travon Walker, the No. 1 pick in 2022.
Robinson noted,
“That lack of publicity is on par with non-quarterbacks like Jaguars DE Travon Walker, the No. 1 pick in 2022, who was similarly overshadowed by a more recognizable No. 2 pick (Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson, who also graced SI’s cover).”
Robinson then noted that, surprisingly, the quarterback spotlight this year is focused on Shedeur Sanders, who was selected 144th in the draft.
Despite expressing surprise at the lack of attention on Cam Ward, Robinson is confident that the QB will prove the doubters wrong once he takes the field in the NFL.
