In a mock draft first published on Feb. 20, NFL reporters and beat writers from The Athletic predicted that the Tennessee Titans would hold onto the first pick of the 2025 draft and use it to grab Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter instead of Miami’s Cam Ward, the consensus top quarterback in his class.
For an updated mock draft posted on Thursday, The Athletic’s Joe Rexrode shared why he’s now linking Ward and not Hunter with the Titans.
“The transition is complete, from suggestions early in the offseason that the Titans were looking to bail out of this spot and pick up much-needed draft capital — or take Travis Hunter or (Penn State pass-rusher) Abdul Carter after signing a veteran QB starter — to the reality that Ward is the guy. The veteran market may have something to do with that,” Rexrode explained. “The lack of urgency of potential trade partners may have something to do with it.”
Specifically, there’s no indication those running the Titans seriously considered pursuing Sam Darnold, Geno Smith or Justin Fields before those signal-callers were taken off the market. Coming off St. Patrick’s Day, the Titans seemingly aren’t interested in signing either Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson.
This past Tuesday night, NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that “the Titans would like to transition” away from 2023 second-round draft pick Will Levis, Tennessee’s current QB1 in name only.
On the surface, it appears to outsiders that the Titans want other clubs to think the draft’s first pick could be had via a so-called “‘Godfather’ offer” type of trade. While some believe that New England Patriots backup Joe Milton III has “the most talent of any quarterback available this spring,” the Titans reportedly don’t agree with that assessment.
“The Titans clearly grew enamored with Ward as they got to know him during the process and listened to him talk through film that is both exciting and a bit too risky at times,” Rexrode continued. “This organization successfully drafted one franchise quarterback high in the draft: Steve McNair in 1995. Ward follows Vince Young, Jake Locker and Marcus Mariota in the list of attempts over 30 years since then.”
Plenty can change before the draft gets underway, but it sounds like the Cleveland Browns (pick No. 2) and New York Giants (pick No. 3) should prepare for a scenario that involves Ward holding up a Titans jersey on the night of April 24.
