ESPN analyst issues a challenge to Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders for NFL Combine that both prospects should avoid at all costs

Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders should avoid this at the NFL Combine.

Sam Phalen
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NASHVILLE – The NFL Scouting Combine is not what it used to be. The same thing could be said about the entire pre-draft process that leads up to one fateful day in April where every organization tries to find the hidden gems of each draft class.

Just a handful of years ago, every top prospect would compete and work out at the scouting combine. You may even see multiple Top 10 talents participating in the Senior Bowl or a different showcase game. That's just not how things are done in 2025, but fans and media members still clamor for a change back to the old ways.

Former NFL safety and current ESPN analyst Louis Riddick is the latest person asking to see some change. Riddick issues a public challenge on x.com to top QB prospects Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward, and Tyler Shough. 

"Want to see QB’s Shedeur Sanders, Tyler Shough, and Cam Ward all actually THROW at the scouting combine," Riddick wrote. "They will all be in the same group, all throwing to receivers that they aren’t familiar with…which allows the cream to rise to the top. Great QB’s get on the same page fastest with unfamiliar receivers. This needs to happen."

Riddick is just saying what everyone is thinking. Of course we all want to see the top QB prospects throw. As someone who will be within the confines of Lucas Oil Stadium for that workout, I'd love nothing more than to see a little competition between two talented players vying to be the first overall pick in the draft.

But it won't happen…and to be honest, it shouldn't happen. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders should both try to do as little as possible at the combine. 

In 2024, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye all opted out of throwing at the combine. Why? Because they didn't need to. Because they were the slam dunk top quarterbacks of the class that could do nothing but hurt their draft stock.

Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Nabers both decided not to work out, giving Rome Odunze the entire stage to himself…and they were both still drafted before him and put up bigger numbers than him as rookies. 

"I think you're seeing players become more empowered and understanding that they have leverage. They have the ability, if you're in a position like (Harrison), you don't have to do all this. Everyone knows his talent speaks for itself," said Titans head coach Brian Callahan, firmly siding with the players at last year's NFL Combine.

"There's a lot of guys that do have to do this and it does matter. I don't want to lessen the importance of what it means for a lot of other guys. There's probably 4-5 guys a year that can do what (Harrison) is doing," said Callahan.

J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr. all threw at the combine because they all had something to gain. Nix and Penix were borderline Day 2 prospects trying to play their way into the first round. That worked out well for all three guys. But when you are in the spot of Williams, Daniels, and Maye, you have nothing to gain and a lot to lose. That's the spot that Ward and Sanders are in.

If Ward and Sanders do nothing the rest of the way, someone will still draft them both in the Top 5. That's the only thing that should matter to them right now. As for the teams looking for a quarterback, you have years of tape on both players. You will also get to interview them both extensively and attend Pro Days. That should give you enough to inform your draft board.

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