The Tennessee Titans have the No. 1 pick in the rather weak 2025 NFL Draft. While there are surely future Pro Bowl and All-Pro players in the class, it’s an unfortunate year to hold the top selection because there is no consensus top prospect.
One factor, however, is certain for the Titans. They need a quarterback.
The Will Levis era in Tennessee crumbled before even getting started, and their backup QB is Mason Rudolph. Rumblings of their preference for Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward have surfaced in recent weeks, but he’s still not the clear No. 1 at the position. Colorado Buffaloes star quarterback Shedeur Sanders also has a solid case to go off the board first, potentially leaving Ward’s next home up in the air.
Cam Ward Predicted To Fall Shockingly Far In NFL Draft
Tennessee is a small market organization, and it’s safe to say money is a driving factor for every professional sports team. Not only could Sanders turn out to be the face of the Titans’ franchise on the field, but also off it. As the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders, the spotlight will follow him regardless of where he ends up.
Is there a chance Sanders pulls an Eli Manning-esque move refusing to go to Tennessee? It’s not out of the equation. However, let’s assume Sanders is willing to go off the board at No. 1 to the Titans, Pro Football Network’s Dalton Miller predicts Ward to fall to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6 in his most recent 7-round NFL mock draft.
“With entirely new leadership in place in Las Vegas, the front office should have enough of a runway to bring along Ward at a reasonable pace,” Miller wrote. “Under no circumstance should Ward play in 2025. In fact, he should probably be the team’s emergency quarterback unless injuries take over for the Raiders.
The New England Patriots (No. 4) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 5) have no desire to add a QB, but either the Cleveland Browns (No. 2) or New York Giants (No. 3) could take Ward off the board prior to Las Vegas’ pick.
While the Raiders would surely be happy with Ward, a possible franchise QB, at No. 6, everything about Sanders would seemingly mesh better with Las Vegas. His personality, spotlight-following last name, and bold style of play mix to perfection with what the Raiders desire as they enter the next era.
Miller went on to give the Miami QB a worrying comparison but added a rationale as to why Vegas’ front office could be comfortable selecting him.
“Ward’s closest comparison is Zach Wilson. His bad habits will only be magnified in live action against NFL defenses,” Miller wrote. However, if the organization places training wheels on him, he has the athletic potential to compete in a division with Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes.”
The one characteristic Ward will almost certainly keep in the NFL is his calm and collected demeanor, no matter the circumstances.