Soliciting a package deal of top-100 picks and repeating the sentiment in media periods that the franchise is “open for enterprise” did not deliver a flotilla of commerce presents to the Tennessee Titans.
So are the rebuilding Titans up a creek with no commerce companion at No. 1?
Not precisely.
The franchise is armed with the highest total choice within the 2025 NFL Draft and most indicators level to deciding on Miami quarterback Cameron Ward, however nothing is diecast at No. 1 given the unsure historical past of the brand new decision-makers within the Titans’ energy construction.
Choices within the dialog past Ward, equivalent to playmaker and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and move rusher Abdul Carter, may be higher suits for a group with a confirmed roster nearer to contending.
Does Ward match the urgent want on the QB place? Arguably, he does, score as the one high 20 quarterback within the draft in response to Discipline Stage Media’s composite rankings.
Head coach Brian Callahan lived what he stated is NFL reality: Franchise quarterbacks are priceless. Callahan helped develop Joe Burrow, the No. 1 decide of the Bengals in 2020. He additionally has many factors of reference as a QB coach and coordinator to assist measure the potential for Will Levis to develop after an erratic first 12 months collectively.
Burrow’s solely points on the NFL stage have been taking too many sacks (196 in his younger profession so far) — pinned totally on a fragile entrance 5 — and the ensuing accidents from the fixed pounding (knee, calf, wrist).
Normal supervisor Mike Borgonzi was with the Chiefs when Patrick Mahomes was picked tenth in 2017 and skilled each season of his NFL brilliance earlier than taking on in Nashville in January. The 2 most significant video games Mahomes misplaced in his profession had been each blamed largely on a leaky offensive line.
Borgonzi would not wish to go away that risk open.
Earlier GM Ran Carthon did not go away the cabinet naked. He chosen two offensive linemen within the high 11 — Peter Skoronski in 2023 (eleventh total) and JC Latham in 2024 (seventh total) — and Borgonzi signed left sort out Dan Moore from the Steelers in free company to solidify a bunch that would assist maintain the runway clear for Ward to guide a turnaround in Tennessee.
Staff wants
Move rusher
An inside pairing of 2024 second-rounder T’Vondre Sweat and Jeffery Simmons serves as a stable basis, however the Titans’ 3-4 protection cannot operate with no move rusher. Harold Landry was extra method and persistence than explosive and twitchy, which is the order of the day for coordinator Dennard Wilson.
Quarterback
Will Levis being on the roster is a thinly clipped insurance coverage plan for the Titans receiving a Herschel Walker- or Ricky Williams-type provide within the days earlier than the draft. The job will go to a rookie and Ward has the maturity, make-up and stay arm to be a high quality NFL starter.
Broad receiver
Playmakers are briefly provide with no surefire No. 1 receiver, regardless of how optimistic the group claims to be about Calvin Ridley.
Greatest prospect suits
QB Cameron Ward, Miami
OLB Abdul Carter, Penn State
Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
DE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
2025 draft picks by spherical
Whole picks: 8
By spherical (decide in spherical, total decide)
1: 1, 1
2: 3, 35
4: 1, 103
4: 18, 120 (from Seattle Seahawks)
5: 3, 141
5: 29, 167 (from Kansas Metropolis Chiefs)
6: 2, 178
6: 12, 188 (from Dallas Cowboys)
Historical past Lesson
–The final time the franchise had the No. 1 decide was 1978. The then-Houston Oilers drafted Texas RB Earl Campbell.
–In three of the previous 5 drafts and 5 of the previous 10 years, the Titans used their first-round decide on an offensive lineman (2014, 2016, 2020, 2023, 2024).
–In 2015 with the No. 2 total decide, the Titans drafted QB Marcus Mariota.
–Discipline Stage Media
