Titans must use Shrine Bowl to assess potential Will Levis successor

The Tennessee Titans have consistently drafted players that attend the Senior Bowl. Largely considered college football's premier all-star game, six of Ran Carthon's seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft were present in Mobile last winter. The Titans weren't as involved at last year's East-West Shrine Bowl, a fellow competitive pre-draft event, though they did add one of its participants via undrafted free agency (Jabari Small, running back, University of Tennessee).

That's going to have to change this pre-draft season. The Titans should send a heavy contingency of decision makers to this year's Shrine Bowl, because Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders committed to the event. Sanders' decision was announced earlier this week.

Sanders is in contention to be the first quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. His competitors include Miami's Cam Ward and Alabama's Jalen Milroe. The Titans are currently slated to own the No. 2 pick in April, and are still making determinations whether or not Will Levis is a long-term franchise quarterback.

Levis has played significantly better of late. In two starts since returning from injury, the former Kentucky quarterback has completed 35 of 54 passing attempts for 470 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Levis has looked considerably sharper, processing defenses faster than he was earlier in the year, and hitting his targets with a sense of conviction.

The Titans possess seven remaining contests on their 2024 schedule to complete their assessment of Levis. That slate includes five divisional games, including this weekend's trip to Houston for their first showdown versus the Texans. It's a game that means a lot to ownership, given their ties to Houston from their Oilers days.

Sanders has been outstanding for the Deion Sanders coached Buffaloes this season. The Dallas, Texas native has thrown for 3,222 yards, 27 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He's also completed nearly 73 percent of his passing attempts.

Sanders will have to answer difficult questions throughout the pre-draft process. His father, Coach Prime, seems heavily involved in his off-field decision making. The Titans will use the Shrine Bowl as an opportunity to spend one-on-one time with Sanders, vetting him as a quarterback and person.

Even if the Titans are interested in passing on Sanders, or trading down with a QB-needy team, attending the Shrine Bowl to gather information on a top-ranked QB prospect will be worthwhile. Elsewhere, the Titans have been linked to potential veteran replacements for Levis this offseason. Sanders, who will command attention at the Shrine Bowl, may simply offer the Titans an alternate reality if they decide they're ready to sever ties with Levis.