To pick a QB or not to pick a QB?
That is the question facing the Tennessee Titans and their yet-to-be named general manager come April 24, when the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
By virtue of their 3-14 record and .522 strength of schedule under first-year coach Brian Callahan, the franchise will, barring a trade, select first overall for the third time, and for the first time since the team moved to Nashville from Houston in 1998. The Titans traded the first overall pick of the 2016 draft to the Los Angeles Rams, who selected quarterback Jared Goff. Tennessee used one of the five draft picks they received in return on Derrick Henry.
The Houston Oilers picked John Matuszak first overall in 1973, and Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell first overall in 1978.
Who might the Titans select first overall in this year’s draft? Though the team has many holes, quarterback is one of the most glaring after Will Levis’ struggles this season.
Below are four players the Tennessee might select with the first pick.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Heisman Trophy finalist led nation in passing touchdowns (39), was second in passing yards (4,313). … Consensus All-American, ACC Player of the Year was a zero-star recruit out of high school who began college career at Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State. … Was grad transfer at Miami. … Cousin of Titans defensive back Quandre Diggs.
Vitals: 6-2, 223 pounds.
Why pick Ward? An obvious need at QB, coupled with the fact that Ward has gotten progressively better with time would make him a safe pick.
Did you know? Had 4,648 passing yards and 47 touchdowns in 2021, setting Incarnate Word single-season records.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
Four-year starter is the youngest son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado football coach Deion Sanders and promises to bring a heavy following wherever he ends up. … Was first in the NCAA FBS Division in completion % (.740), second in passing touchdowns (37) and completions (353), and fourth in passing yards (4,134) and attempts (477). … Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. … Began his career at Jackson State, where his father also coached him, after originally committing to Florida Atlantic.
Vitals: 6-2, 215 pounds.
Why pick Sanders? Some don’t see him as a franchise QB, but his lineage and his numbers suggest he could be. Besides, how fun would it be for fans to have the Sanders Show in town? Theoretically, the Titans could trade down and still get him.
Did you know? Sanders was the first HBCU player to sign NIL deal with Gatorade and first college football player with an NIL deal with Nike.
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Heisman Trophy winner, All-American, AP Player of the Year is a standout on both sides of the ball. … Like teammate Shedeur Sanders, played for Deion Sanders at Jackson State before transferring to Colorado. … Had 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on 96 receptions this season, along with four interceptions and 11 passes defended.
Vitals: 6-1, 185.
Why pick Hunter? What’s not to love about a dominant player on both sides of the ball? Again, Titans could trade down to land him.
Did you know? Won 2024 Bednarik Award (best defensive player) and 2024 Biletnikoff Award (best WR), the first college football player ever to win both.
Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Unanimous All-American, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year led Nittany Lions to College Football Playoff semifinal. … Had 68 tackles, 12 sacks, four passes defended and two forced fumbles.
Vitals: 6-3, 253 pounds.
Why pick Carter? The upside is, he could make a big impact right away. He’d also fill a need on the defensive line.
Did you know? Was charged with marijuana possession in 2023 and was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault on a tow truck drive in April 2024.
Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach him at pskrbina@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina. Follow his work here.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Who will Titans pick with NFL Draft No. 1 pick? Here are four options
