Soliciting a package of top-100 picks and repeating the sentiment in media sessions that the franchise is “open for business” didn’t bring a flotilla of trade offers to the Tennessee Titans.
So are the rebuilding Titans up a creek without a trade partner at No. 1?
Not exactly.
The franchise is armed with the top overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft and most signs point to selecting Miami quarterback Cameron Ward, but nothing is diecast at No. 1 given the uncertain history of the new decision-makers in the Titans’ power structure.
Options in the conversation beyond Ward, such as playmaker and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and pass rusher Abdul Carter, might be better fits for a team with a proven roster closer to contending.
Head coach Brian Callahan lived what he said is NFL truth: Franchise quarterbacks are priceless. Callahan helped develop Joe Burrow, the No. 1 pick of the Bengals in 2020. He also has many points of reference as a QB coach and coordinator to help measure the potential for Will Levis to develop after an erratic first year together.
Burrow’s only issues at the NFL level have been taking too many sacks (196 in his young career to date) — pinned mostly on a fragile front five — and the resulting injuries from the constant pounding (knee, calf, wrist).
General manager Mike Borgonzi was with the Chiefs when Patrick Mahomes was picked 10th in 2017 and experienced every season of his NFL brilliance before taking over in Nashville in January. The two most meaningful games Mahomes lost in his career were both blamed in large part on a leaky offensive line.
Borgonzi doesn’t want to leave that possibility open.
Previous GM Ran Carthon didn’t leave the cupboard bare. He selected two offensive linemen in the top 11 — Peter Skoronski in 2023 (11th overall) and JC Latham in 2024 (seventh overall) — and Borgonzi signed left tackle Dan Moore from the Steelers in free agency to solidify a group that could help keep the runway clear for Ward to lead a turnaround in Tennessee.
Team needs
Pass rusher
An interior pairing of 2024 second-rounder T’Vondre Sweat and Jeffery Simmons serves as a solid foundation, but the Titans’ 3-4 defense can’t function without a pass rusher. Harold Landry was more technique 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 plan for the Titans receiving a Herschel Walker- or Ricky Williams-type offer in the days before the draft. The job will go to a rookie and Ward has the maturity, makeup and live arm to be a quality NFL starter.
Wide receiver
Playmakers are in short supply with no surefire No. 1 receiver, no matter how optimistic the team claims to be about Calvin Ridley.
Best prospect fits
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 round
Total picks: 8
By round (pick in round, overall pick)
1: 1, 1
2: 3, 35
4: 1, 103
4: 18, 120 (from Seattle Seahawks)
5: 3, 141
5: 29, 167 (from Kansas City Chiefs)
6: 2, 178
6: 12, 188 (from Dallas Cowboys)
History Lesson
–The last time the franchise had the No. 1 pick was 1978. The then-Houston Oilers drafted Texas RB Earl Campbell.
–In three of the past five drafts and five of the past 10 years, the Titans used their first-round pick on an offensive lineman (2014, 2016, 2020, 2023, 2024).
–In 2015 with the No. 2 overall pick, the Titans drafted QB Marcus Mariota.
