The latest reports regarding the Tennessee Titans and the No.1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft are nothing new. Tennessee is unquestionably going to - at the very least - consider trading out of the top spot. We've been saying that for weeks.
New GM Mike borgonzi is all about the "draft and develop" plan when it comes to building a perennial contender. That's what Borgonzi helped do with the Kansas City Chiefs, who are about to play in Super Bowl LIX and go for a third consecutive championship.
With that plan in mind, acquiring picks is essential and there's no better way to do that than trading back from first overall. While Tennessee has a need at QB, the top quarterback prospects may not impress them enough to pass on that opportunity. Both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are intriguing quarterback prospects, but neither one feels like the "sure thing" that Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels were in last year's draft. That doesn't mean they won't be successful, it just means the Titans may have less incentive to grab one of them with the No. 1 pick.
Avoid Trading Back Too Far
I'm all for the Titans looking to trade back. At the very least, you have to see if anyone is interested in jumping up and what they'd be willing to offer. There are a number of QB deprived teams in the Top 10 that could be eyeing a trade if Ward or Sanders look like the right fit.
There's a world where Tennessee could move back to No. 2 (Browns), No. 3 (Giants), No. 6 (Raiders, or No. 7 (Jets). All four of those teams could express some interest, but I think the Titans should avoid trading outside of the top four at all costs.
You just can't afford to come away from the draft without a "blue chip" player. From a projected value point of view, the top four talents in this year's draft class are pretty clear. It's Sanders, Ward, Abdul Carter, and Travis Hunter. If I'm Mike Borgonzi, I'm ensuring that I secure one of those players to begin my tenure as GM.
Mykel Williams (EDGE) and Will Campbell (OT) are talented players at positions of need, but the dip is pretty significant and thus would require an overwhelming haul of draft picks coming back. I just don't think it's a risk worth taking for the Titans to pass on a guarantee of getting a Top 4 player in the draft.
