CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Titans were well represented at Miami's Pro Day on Monday, when quarterback Cam Ward took center stage.
A large contingent will return to South Florida on Friday, when they'll spend even more time with Ward during a private workout.
The evaluation process for some of the biggest stars at the top of this year's NFL Draft will continue in the coming weeks as the team decides what it wants to do with the first overall pick.
NFL Network's Brian Baldinger, who was on hand for Monday's Pro Day and spent time with Ward afterward, shared his thoughts on what he saw from Ward, and what he would do.
"I don't think it's a hard decision," Baldinger said. "I think (Cam Ward) is the best quarterback in this draft. Now, is he Joe Burrow? I don't think he's Joe Burrow. But could he be like Baker Mayfield? I think he could be like Baker. His ability to extend plays, not just his accuracy, but his poise and touch, I think he has those kinds of attributes that translate well to Sundays."
Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker, General Manager Mike Borgonzi and head coach Brian Callahan all attended Ward's Pro Day, along with offensive coordinator Nick Holz, quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree, and Reggie McKenzie and Dave Ziegler from the team's front office.
Ward was accurate on short throws, and he hit on some long ones as well.
Ward rolled to his left and his right on throws, and he even showed off a spin move.
When a ball hit the ground, Ward and the receiver repeated the play to get it right.
Ward made touch throws, and he rifled others to their destination.
Not every throw was perfect, but Baldinger said he left impressed.
"I think he checked a lot of boxes,' Baldinger said of Ward. "The big thing is: Can he take a snap under center, which you have to do at Miami. Can you bootleg? Can you roll out? Can you throw on the move? I think he showed that. Can you be accurate on the move? I think he showed that kind of thing. He has great torque, whether it's throwing an RPO, a hitch route, or just a quick slant. The ball comes out really hot, but it's a catchable ball."
Ward set the NCAA record with 158 touchdown passes in his career at Incarnate Word (two years), Washington State (two years) and Miami (one season).
Ward, who threw for 4,313 yards and a school-record 39 touchdown passes en route to being named ACC Player of the Year last season with the Hurricanes.
Baldinger liked what he saw at Pro Day, as well as what he's seen on film.
"The guy is very poised," Baldinger said. "He has really good athletic ability. What he told me was: This was the script and it's a big show, it's the main event, but this is what we do after every practice anyways. I think he is very detailed about what he is doing."
Callahan said he's looking forward to seeing how Ward responds when he meets with the team at the private workout.
The Titans will follow a similar plan when they attend Colorado's Pro Day, and conduct private workouts with quarterback Shedeur Sanders and defensive back/receiver Travis Hunter next month. The Titans have already spent time with both of those players, along with Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, as they do their homework leading up to the NFL Draft.
"This isn't the end all, be all," Callahan said of the Pro Day. "It's just checking one more box. What's good about doing (a private workout) in close in proximity to the Pro Day is we can see if there are some things we can work on him with in the private workout, and see how he responds to coaching. What's he like when we get our hands on him? How does he respond to some of those things. That should kind of tie a bow on the major parts of the evaluation."
