Many Tennessee Titans fans expect the franchise to trade down from No. 35 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft after selecting Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward with the top selection. At this point, Ward to Tennessee feels like a foregone conclusion. That's exactly how Pro Football Focus opens their latest two-round 2025 NFL mock draft.
"Nothing is set in stone until we see it happen, but it sure feels like Tennessee is locking in on college football’s highest-graded quarterback in 2024, Cam Ward," Dalton Wasserman writes. "While the Titans would greatly benefit from selecting Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter, they ranked dead last in PFF passing grade last season and currently carry Will Levis and Brandon Allen on their roster as options."
The Titans are then scheduled to pick at No. 35 overall and not again until 103. Despite the sizable gap between Tennessee's scheduled second and fourth round picks, Wasserman shockingly has Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi trading back up into the opening round to secure help at receiver for Ward.
Titans trade back into first round in 2-round 2025 NFL mock draft
Wasserman has the Titans trading Nos. 35 and 103 to the Washington Commanders for No. 29. The Titans then select University of Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III.
"Tennessee gives Cam Ward another weapon to work with in Burden," Wasserman explains. "In the vein of Deebo Samuel or DJ Moore, Burden specializes in making big plays with the ball in his hands. Tennessee ranked 29th in yards after the catch per reception last season. Burden’s arrival would significantly improve that ranking."
If PFF's mock scenario came to fruition, it would mean the Titans would select at Nos. 1 and 29 overall, and then they'd wait nearly 100 selections (No. 120) to come on the clock again. Is Borgonzi willing to get that aggressive and forfeit draft capital to pair Ward with a dynamic receiving prospect like Burden?
Burden recorded 61 receptions for 676 receiving yards and six touchdowns this past season. Missouri's lackluster passing attack prevented him from repeating his 2023 breakout campaign (86-1,212-9). With rumors of off-field issues surrounding his evaluation, scouts are all over the map on Burden's projection.
Burden was elite at the NFL Combine, running a 4.41-second 40-yard dash before acing the gauntlet drill. The Titans probably won't be trading up for Burden, but he's a potential target at No. 35 overall.