Four NFL quarterbacks in Year 2 and where they need to improve: Solak on Ward, Dart, Shough and Sanders
I looked back at the Year 1 performance for four quarterbacks taken in last year's draft -- Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Shedeur Sanders -- and...
Key points
- I looked back at the Year 1 performance for four quarterbacks taken in last year's draft -- Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Shedeur Sanders -- and asked the same question for each of them: What does he need to improve in Year 2 and beyond?
- So, let's pick out the biggest must-have (or two) for each quarterback in 2026 -- the main area where Ward, Dart, Shough and Sanders must improve this season to take the next step.
- Jump to: Ward | Dart | Shough | Sanders Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans Where he could get better: Running and arm arrogance Ward had a better rookie season than it looks at first blush.
- Of 38 quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks last season, Ward was 36th in EPA per dropback and success rate, ahead of only the Browns' pair of rookie quarterbacks (Dillon Gabriel and Sanders).
What happened
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I looked back at the Year 1 performance for four quarterbacks taken in last year's draft -- Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Shedeur Sanders -- and asked the same question for each of them: What does he need to improve in Year 2 and beyond? So, let's pick out the biggest must-have (or two) for each quarterback in 2026 -- the main area where Ward, Dart, Shough and Sanders must improve this season to take the next step. Jump to: Ward | Dart | Shough | Sanders Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans Where he could get better: Running and arm arrogance Ward had a better rookie season than it looks at first blush. Of 38 quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks last season, Ward was 36th in EPA per dropback and success rate, ahead of only the Browns' pair of rookie quarterbacks (Dillon Gabriel and Sanders). When Daboll took charge in New York, he asked Jones to carry the ball more; Jones went from 1.8 designed rushes per game in the three years before Daboll to 3.7 per game in the three years after Daboll was hired. When Daboll uses Ward as a runner, he will immediately raise the floor of the QB's play.