The Tennessee Titans and New York Giants have been constantly tied together in rumors linking them to discussions about a blockbuster trade in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Titans own the No. 1 overall selection. The Giants may possess interest in moving up for quarterback Cam Ward after missing out on Matthew Stafford.
The 2025 NFL Combine concluded on Sunday. Analysts and insiders were present in Indianapolis to learn new information. It feels notable that The Athletic's Dane Brugler predicted a trade between the Titans and Giants in his latest first-round projection.
Titans fans who want general manager Mike Borgonzi to get a 2026 first-round pick in a deal with the Giants won't be pleased with Brugler's latest prediction.
"Packaging a pair of Day 2 picks to move up from No. 3 to No. 1 likely would be enough to put Ward in Giants jersey," Brugler writes. He also notes that the, "Titans want to stay somewhere in the top three to nab Penn State's Abdul Carter or Colorado's Travis Hunter."
At No. 3, Brugler has the Titans taking Hunter, after Carter went No. 2 to the Cleveland Browns.
"Should the Titans trade out of the top spot, it is a good bet they won't move down further than the third pick," Brugler doubles down. "They'll want to ensure they get one of the top players in this draft class. No matter if he plays offense, defense, or both, Hunter immediately would bring a jolt of energy to the Tennessee roster."
If the Titans trade down and pass on drafting a quarterback, receiving a 2026 first-round selection is the ideal outcome, improving their chances of drafting a high-ranked quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Reports have been split regarding whether or not moving down from No. 1 to No. 3 would be enough to land Borgonzi a future first-round pick.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan called Hunter a cornerback first and foremost at the NFL Combine, but believes in his ability to be a two-way player at the next level. If the Titans trade down and draft Hunter at No. 3, it would remove a little of the positional pressure surrounding his evaluation, compared to drafting him at No. 1 overall.
The Titans will continue fielding phone calls on the No. 1 overall selection. They'd prefer to receive a future first-round selection in any agreement, but staying within the top three to still nab Carter or Hunter may take priority for Borgonzi, even if it means settling for day two selections.