The 2025 NFL Draft: Titans’ Dilemma and Top Prospects
As the 2025 NFL Draft looms on the horizon, excitement and speculation are reaching fever pitch. Set to kick off on April 24 in the historic city of Green Bay, Wisconsin, the draft promises to be a spectacle of talent and strategy. The Tennessee Titans hold the coveted No. 1 pick, and the big question on everyone’s mind is: What will they do with it? Will they keep it, or will they trade it away for a treasure trove of picks? Let’s dive into the details and explore the possibilities.
Our NFL Nation reporters, Turron Davenport, Jeff Legwold, Daniel Oyefusi, and Katherine Terrell, have been on the ground, gathering insights from NFL executives, coaches, and scouts. They’ve been asking the burning questions: Who is the top overall prospect? Who is the top quarterback? And most importantly, will the Titans make the selection, or will they trade the pick?
Will the Titans Trade or Keep the No. 1 Pick?
In a poll conducted among NFL insiders, the consensus leans towards the Titans trading the top pick. Five votes were cast in favor of trading, while three votes suggested keeping it. The reasoning behind this inclination is that the Titans lack game-changing players, and none of the quarterbacks in this draft class seem capable of elevating the current roster. Trading the pick to a quarterback-needy team could be a strategic move for Tennessee.
One AFC personnel executive put it bluntly: “The Titans’ roster has a lot of holes. They need more than just a quarterback. I mean, who would Shedeur [Sanders] or Cam [Ward] throw to if they take them? They need help!”
An NFC scout echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to bolster the offensive line before adding a quarterback: “They can’t put these rookies behind that offensive line and expect them to succeed. The Titans’ protection was so bad their quarterbacks had no chance. They have to build the roster up before they add a quarterback.”
The Titans’ struggles are evident in their statistics. They ranked 31st in QBR last season (37.3), 27th in pass block win rate (56.1%), 21st in run defense (4.5 yards allowed per carry), 25th in defensive pressure rate (29.0%), and tied for 30th in turnover margin (minus-16), culminating in a 3-14 record.
With the Titans openly expressing their willingness to entertain offers for the first pick, President of Football Operations Chad Brinker has stated his desire to acquire more picks, especially in the top 100. Trading out of the No. 1 spot seems like the best way to achieve this goal.
However, not everyone is convinced that trading is the right move. An AFC assistant coach argued, “You don’t want to find yourself making the first pick often. You have to make it count and get your quarterback. I think that’s what the Titans will do. Keep the top pick and draft Cam Ward.” — Davenport
Will the No. 1 Pick Be a Quarterback?
The debate over whether the top pick will be a quarterback or another position is far from settled. Among the nine people polled, three believed a quarterback would be selected, four thought another position would go first, and two remained undecided.
One NFC South coach expressed skepticism about the quarterback class, saying, “Who’s the best quarterback? Shedeur’s not going No. 1.”
An NFC South executive shared a similar view, noting the lack of standout quarterbacks but acknowledging that a QB might still go first due to the absence of clear stars at other positions. “Not a year you’d be pumped about having a top-five pick,” the exec remarked. — Terrell
Who is the Top Quarterback in the Class?
In the battle for QB supremacy, Cam Ward from Miami narrowly edged out Shedeur Sanders from Colorado in our poll. Ward received four votes, while Sanders garnered three.
Both quarterbacks are expected to be the first two signal-callers selected in April’s draft. However, some evaluators noted that this class is not as strong as the 2024 group, which saw a record six quarterbacks taken in the first 12 picks.
One player personnel executive described the top of the draft as “generally good, not great.” A national scout added that Ward and Sanders would have been ranked similarly to Bo Nix, who went No. 12 overall to the Broncos last year.
The consensus is that Sanders is a more refined pocket passer, while Ward’s arm talent and mobility give him the edge as a long-term prospect. Ward led the nation with 39 passing touchdowns at Miami, while Sanders was just behind with 37 at Colorado.
An AFC area scout who voted for Ward praised his “experience, arm talent, decision-making,” calling him the top prospect. Meanwhile, an AFC coach who favored Sanders acknowledged Ward’s higher ceiling but expressed concern about his risk-taking tendencies. “The thing that scares me with [Ward] is some of the risks he does take … you can’t do that at this level,” the coach said. — Oyefusi
Who is the Best Prospect in the Class, Regardless of Position?
In the race for the title of best overall prospect, Abdul Carter, an edge rusher from Penn State, received seven votes, while Travis Hunter, a versatile WR/CB from Colorado, garnered five.
Carter’s explosive performance, including 12 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 61 pressures, earned him the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award. Evaluators noted that elite pass rushers often adapt to the NFL more quickly, enhancing Carter’s value.
Hunter, on the other hand, showcased his versatility with 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a receiver, along with four interceptions, 10 pass breakups, and 36 tackles at cornerback. While some see his future as a receiver, most evaluators believe he is more refined as a cornerback.
One NFC general manager summed it up: “Carter is everything you want in a prospect — highest grade on the board with a very specific, defined path into your lineup. You know exactly what he is, how you’ll project him. But you can’t deny [Hunter] is the most uniquely talented guy. I mean, [he] did things we haven’t seen in a long time and might not see again.” — Legwold
Originally Written by: NFL Nation
