Ward was selected with the top pick after an excellent 2024 season with the Miami Hurricanes. He threw for 4,313 yards with 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the team to a 10-3 record. He finished fourth in Heisman voting, was named an All-American and won the ACC Player of the Year award.

The Cleveland Browns selected former Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel with a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and a Browns insider recently revealed that the Browns would either pick eventual No.

It shouldn't take long for him to get on the field. Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report predicted the first start for every rookie quarterback, and he believes Ward will be starting in Week 1 vs. the Denver Broncos.