The Tennessee Titans hold the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but there's no guarantee they're the team that ends up making the selection.
Like most teams who are picking in the No. 1 spot, the Titans could use a new quarterback. The easiest option for Tennessee would be to hold on to the pick, draft either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, and build your roster around the new QB. But Tennessee has a long ways to go before they'll be back in contention. The offensive line needs works and edge rusher is still a glaring need, but the Titans are thin on picks and newly hired GM Mike Borgonzi knows as much.
Tennessee has just two picks in the top 100 of the draft. With that in mind, there's an argument to be made for trading down from No. 1 and acquiring some additional draft capital.
For the Giants sitting with the No. 3 overall pick, they are potentially on the outside looking in of the quarterback selections. With only two high-end QB prospects in the draft class, New York may need to get aggressive and trade up if they want to secure their preferred QB.
It's no wonder the Titans and Giants have been linked to each other heavily. It feels like the most obvious match for a trade of the first overall pick. But when Jordan Raanan, a New York Giants reporter for ESPN, proposed a mock trade online, we saw just how controversial any deal is going to be.
Titans-Giants Proposed Trade
Raanan had the Giants sending picks No. 3, No. 65, and a 2026 third-round pick to the Titans for the No. 1 overall pick. People from both fanbases sounded off in the replies expressing disdain for the trade.
Traditionally speaking, the Giants would be getting a good deal in this trade. Using just about any trade valuation model that's out there, it should cost more to move up to No. 1.
If you're the Titans, trading back from No. 1 to No. 3 means you are passing on the opportunity to get a franchise quarterback. As I laid out earlier, there could be some benefits to doing that, but it's only worth it if there's an overwhelming haul of picks coming back your way. Two third-rounders is not moving the needle enough.
It's going to take more than what Raanan laid out and Giants fans are already wincing at the thought of losing these picks...Maybe this is not as perfect of a match as meets the eye.
For the Giants organization, it makes all the sense in the world. However, I can sympathize with fans being upset at giving up two additional picks to move up just two spots. Especially when the Giants would have been picking the top two themselves had it not been for Drew Lock.
It truly puts New York and GM Joe Schoen in a lose-lose situation ahead of the draft. If the Giants sit on their hands and watch Ward and Sanders go off the board in front of them, they are going to get ridiculed for not taking a big swing and getting their guy. If they pay what it costs to move to No. 1, the fanbase may not be comfortable with the ransom that's going to Tennessee.
Controversy either way...Which will make for a really entertaining few months leading up to Draft Day.
