Everyone is asking what the Tennessee Titans should do with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. President of football operations Chad Brinker and the next general manager will have to weigh several potential options. Drafting a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward, an elite non-QB like Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, or trading down, qualify as Tennessee’s realistic paths.
The Draft Network recently released their latest mock draft. In that projection, Jaime Eisner has the Titans completing a trade with the New York Giants. In return for the top overall selection, the Titans acquire Nos. 3, 34, 3.65, and a 2026 second-round pick. Failing to acquire a 2026 first-round selection is a miss for the Titans here, but acquiring essentially three additional top 64 picks (two this year and one next) could qualify as a massive, offsetting victory.
The Giants trade up for Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward in this scenario. Their general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll desperately need a quarterback to build around. This also insinuates the Titans weren’t interested in drafting Ward, a scenario I see as plausible given his awkward fit in Brian Callahan’s rhythm-and-timing offense.
After the Cleveland Browns select Shedeur Sanders at No. 2 overall, the Titans selected Abdul Carter, outside linebacker, Penn State. Eisner has the Titans passing on Travis Hunter. Most importantly, Tennessee trades down and hand-elects their choice of the top two overall prospects in the class.
“Having a new general manager in Tennessee could change the Titans’ plans at the top of the draft,” Eisner wrote. “Is the new GM sure they want to tie their legacy to Ward or Sanders? Or, would they prefer to take the player they deem the top option in the class while gaining additional future draft assets? I think it could be the latter. And if so, adding Abdul Carter would be a home run first pick of the new era. Carter is the best pass rusher in the 2025 class with a rare skill set that can make him an instant impact player.”
The Titans desperately need difference-making edge rushers to elevate Dennard Wilson’s defense. Carter pairs rare athleticism with instincts to impact opposing pockets with consistency. Quarterback or not, the Titans need to exit this draft with premium talents at premium positions. They’d achieve that if they manage to trade down, acquire extra capital, and still land Carter.