Cam Ward to the Tennessee Titans appears to be a sure bet as the 2025 NFL Draft gets closer, but what if the team holding the No. 1 overall pick in the draft goes in another direction?
There is a chance the Titans decide to stick with Will Levis another season and turn their attention on another position at the top of the draft. With generational talent like former Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter and Penn State product Abdul Carter also worthy of that No. 1 overall pick, the Titans could address other areas of need and take their shot at a QB in Day 2.
Titans could shake up the 2025 NFL Draft board and not select Cam Ward
While Ward is high on their list, Titans head coach Brian Callahan told NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero at the Annual League Meeting that there is a shot list of capable players, even mentioning Shedeur Sanders, who would be another option at QB if the Titans were to pass on Ward.
"I think it's a short list at No. 1 for sure, it's all the guys that I think are worthy of it, the ones that everyone talks about out there, and between Travis (Hunter) and Shedeur (Sanders) and Cam (Ward) and Abdul Carter, I think those are, that's the top of the draft for me, those are the most elite players in the draft," Callahan told Pelissero, via NFL.com. "There's going to be a lot of good ones certainly that come after them, but I think those at this moment are the best players in the draft and at the top of it."
The Titans could also trade back in this draft and get more draft capital. There is even a chance they could still end up with Sanders later in the draft or decided to build a stronger team around Levis and add some competition at the position to push the No. 33 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
In this four-round NFL Mock Draft, we look at what the Titans will do if the No. 1 overall pick is not Cam Ward.
2025 NFL Mock Draft (four-round)
The biggest need outside of a quarterback is at the edge rush position where the Titans make former Penn State star Abdul Carter with the No. 1 overall pick. In early NFL mocks draft, this was a popular pick for the Titans before Ward distanced himself as the top quarterback in the draft. In selecting Carter, the Titans not only replace the loss of Harold Landry, but get a player who can be the centerpiece of the defense for years to come. Ward might be the most enticing selection at No. 1, but could any team pass on an edge rusher who is considered the best athlete in the draft?
With the No. 35 overall pick in the draft, the Titans select former Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor who would be the perfect playmaking X receiver to complement Calvin Ridley. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Ayomanor hauled in 63 receptions for 831 yards and 6 touchdowns with the Cardinal last season. A receiver with grout route-running skills, Ayomanor is a physical playmaker who excels finding the soft spots in the zone. While he is not an explosive wide receiver, his effectiveness and impact working the middle of the field will help whatever quarterback is running the offense.
An option at quarterback could be Ohio State’s Will Howard who the Titans select with the No. 120 overall pick. If the Titans do stick with Levis, bringing in competition like Howard should push the third-year quarterback. In leading the Buckeyes to the National Championship, Howard passed for 4,010 yards with 35 touchdowns. A leader on the field, Howard has above average arm strength and sneaky athleticism. He is not as elusive as Ward, but he can extend plays due to his size and deceptive speed for a big quarterback. In all, he is not just someone who could challenge Levis, but someone who could win a QB competition in Tennessee.