The 2025 NFL Draft was full of compelling storylines, but it kicked off with a No. 1 overall pick that was surprisingly underappreciated.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward went to the Tennessee Titans with this year's top pick, but his selection was quickly overshadowed by other moves and selections, leaving him without the typical fanfare you see surrounding franchise quarterbacks taken at that spot.
On the latest episode of "Best Podcast Available," I sat down with ESPN's Louis Riddick to talk about this year's rookie class, including how such a talented prospect like Ward still feels like he's flying under the radar, despite being the No. 1 overall pick.
"If you've ever sat with him, or even just watched his interviews, Cam is not a guy who is a self-promoter," Riddick said. "He's not the 'show-biz' type dude. He's a baller, period."
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward
Cam Ward has all the traits to be a superstar for the Tennessee Titans.
Denny Simmons / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Riddick also rattled off some of his other favorite prospects in the NFL's 2025 rookie class, from big names like Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, to hidden gems like Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith and Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.
"That's a guy who, people are gonna go, 'Who the hell is Brashard Smith?' You'll know him, I promise. You'll know him soon," Riddick said of the seventh-round pick out of SMU.
"You don't typically see guys with that kind of size, who can run 4.3, with that kind of wiggle, who can play in the slot," Riddick said of TeSlaa, a surprise third-round pick many expected to go in the later rounds of the draft. "He was under-utilized at Arkansas. Detroit will find a way, I promise you that."
Isaac Teslaa should thrive in a talented, dynamic Detroit Lions offense.
Isaac Teslaa should thrive in a talented, dynamic Detroit Lions offense.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
A proud University of Pittsburgh alum who spent nearly a decade in the NFL as a defensive back, Riddick couldn't resist the opportunity to shine a spotlight on his alma matter, pointing out one prospects NFL teams and fans should be watching when the Panthers take the field this fall.
"Everybody wants to know about the playmakers, and Desmond Reid, he's a multi-purpose back in the same mold as a Brashard Smith," Riddick said of Pitt's star running back. He's probably the guy everybody's eyes are gonna be on. He's a little bit smaller, but super fast, tough as hell, great vision, doesn't back down from anybody. That's the dude everybody's gonna want to see."
To see the entire conversation, watch the full episode of BPA here: