The Tennessee Titans have a big decision to make with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. General manager Mike Borgonzi is tasked with finding a new starting quarterback this offseason. Temptation is present to simply use the top pick on a quarterback prospect like Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders.
The general consensus around the league is that Ward and Sanders could both be franchise quarterbacks in the right situation, but they're not talent-transcendent prospects like Joe Burrow, Caleb Williams, and Trevor Lawrence were considered to be in recent drafts.
Look no further than a few recently released Big Boards around the league. On Field Yates' recent update, Ward is No. 12, and Sanders is No. 19. The Athletic's Dane Brugler is even lower on the quarterbacks, placing Ward at 15, and Sanders at 25.
Speaking of Yates, he also released a brand-new 2025 first-round mock draft. Yates has the Titans passing on the quarterback temptation by drafting Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter No. 1 overall instead.
My latest mock draft for @ESPN is live:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 11, 2025
⚔️ Tennessee’s big decision
🎯 3 first round QBs
🏈 edge/DT and OL felt heavily https://t.co/C2GHvl3cL5
"The Titans have made it clear they won't force the quarterback issue at No. 1 if they don't deem one of the passers worthy of the pick," Yates writes. "Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders will be in the mix here, given Will Levis' struggles, but Tennessee could go another direction. And that opens the door for a spirited debate in picking between Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter."
Hunter and Carter are the two best overall prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, regardless of position. Hunter, the reigning Heisman winner, is a dynamic two-way player who would add national attention to the Titans' weekly broadcast. Carter is the draft's best pass rusher, and EDGE happens to be a premium position of need for the Titans.
"While there is little precedent for a prospect playing both sides of the ball in the NFL, Hunter has a rare skill set," Yates continued. "Scouts have noted his determination and focus as reasons why he was able to play an astounding 1,458 snaps this past season. The Titans need help at both WR and CB, and Hunter -- whom I'm ranking at corner right now -- could boost either spot. He caught 15 touchdown passes and had four interceptions in 2024."
The Titans don't need much help at cornerback. They have L'Jarius Sneed, Chido Awuzie, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., and Roger McCreary under contract. Sneed and Awuzie missed time with injury in 2024, but the Titans are invested in them, and it's hard to imagine them using the No. 1 pick on a cornerback, unless Hunter is also playing wide receiver.
If the Titans do avoid picking a quarterback at the top, they'll have to sign a bridge veteran. Aaron Rodgers has been heavily linked in recent weeks. Though the following quarterbacks are not guaranteed to be available this offseason, Derek Carr, Matt Stafford, Sam Darnold, and Kirk Cousins could also intrigue the Titans if they're passing on a signal caller at No. 1 overall.