With AFC and NFC Championship Games approaching, first-round projections are arriving fast and furious. The Tennessee Titans own the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, making mock-draft season a particularly exciting one.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper is a legend in the NFL draft space. Kiper released his very first mock draft on Wednesday ahead of next week’s Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Game pre-draft events.
At No. 1 overall, Kiper has the Titans selecting University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward, who some NFL scouts have compared to franchise legend Steve McNair.
Titans select QB Cam Ward in Mel Kiper's first 2025 NFL Mock Draft
"I was a fan of Will Levis when the Titans took him early on Day 2 in 2023, and there's still a chance he puts it all together," Kiper wrote. "But he hasn't played nearly well enough to keep the job in Tennessee. The Titans had the NFL's second-worst QBR (37.3) and interception total (21) this season as they bounced between Levis and Mason Rudolph."
The King, the legend, the creator of the Mock Draft has dropped his first of 2025.@MelKiperESPN’s Mock 1.0 is live: https://t.co/Dr5FMnMM3s
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 22, 2025
New general manager Mike Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker must decide what to do with the No. 1 overall pick. Drafting a quarterback could sit atop head coach Brian Callahan's wishlist.
Ward was electric for the Hurricanes throughout the 2024 campaign. An off-script big-play creator, Ward threw for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and seven interceptions this past season. He led the Hurricanes to their first 10-win campaign since 2017.
"I'm sure new general manager Mike Borgonzi will listen to trade offers here, but his real decision should come down to Ward vs. Colorado's Shedeur Sanders," Kiper added. "I actually have Sanders ranked one spot ahead of Ward on my Big Board (No. 4 overall). Ward has the early top-pick buzz around the league, though, so that's where I'm leaning for now. He extends plays with his creativity, mobility and strong arm. Ward led the nation with 39 touchdown passes this season, and he'd help put the Titans back on track."
If the Titans decide to draft a quarterback, they'll indeed be choosing between Ward and Sanders. They'll analyze both signal callers in terrific detail leading up to April's festivities. It helps that the Titans have been chosen to coach Sanders at next week's East-West Shrine Game, earning valuable time with their potential next quarterback.
Ward to the Titans continues to gain steam in first-round mock draft projections.