The Tennessee Titans have arguably been searching for their next franchise quarterback since parting ways with the late great Steve McNair. Since his departure in 1995, the Titans have whiffed on four quarterbacks they drafted early. Vince Young, Jake Locker, Marcus Mariota, and Will Levis were all drafted with the hopes of living up to the expectations McNair once set for this organization. None of them managed to meet Tennessee's hopes.
The Titans may take another swing this offseason. They clinched the No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft after enduring an incredibly disappointing 3-14 season.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler recently released his first two-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft. Though Brugler admits this year's quarterback class is a lackluster one, he admits that several teams will feel forced to reach considering the less-than-impressive list of veteran quarterbacks scheduled to be available this offseason.
Mock Draft 2.0
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 15, 2025
(Two-rounder, picks 1-64)https://t.co/mwkJUVTxix
Presenting his mock based on team needs and information gathered from sources, Brugler has the Titans selecting quarterback Cam Ward.
Titans select "the next Steve McNair" in 2025 NFL Mock Draft
"The incoming general manager in Tennessee will inherit a great opportunity — either invest in a quarterback at No. 1 or trade the pick to a quarterback-needy team," Brugler wrote. "Any other outcome would be surprising. If the Titans opt not to take a QB, the ideal scenario would be to trade back two spots with the Giants. The Titans wouldn’t receive close to what the Bears scored in compensation from the Panthers for the No. 1 pick two years ago, but they would gain additional draft capital and still be in position to take Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter at No. 3."
Brugler acknowledges that the Titans could potentially trade the pick, acquire more draft capital, and draft a better overall prospect like Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter. That seems to be the preferred outcome for most Titans fans. Despite that, Brugler has the Titans sticking-and-picking Ward, even claiming some scouts have compared him to McNair.
"However, in this mock, the Titans decide Ward is an upgrade over their current quarterback situation," Brugler added. "His loose play style won’t be for everyone, but his ability to create explosive plays and the gradual improvements he has shown each year are promising aspects of his profile. Some scouts have compared Ward’s upside to that of Steve McNair, which would be music to the ears of fans in Nashville."
Ward is a quarterback prospect with outstanding off-platform abilities. Proving he could play within structure in a rhythm-and-timing offense appears to be Ward's biggest roadblock to success at the next level. If the Titans draft him and he reaches the heights McNair once reached in Nashville, there would be no lingering doubt that the Titans made an excellent decision.
In the second round, Brugler had the Titans drafting Ohio State pass rusher Jack Sawyer. at No. 35 overall. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is desperately in need of difference-making EDGEs. Sawyer is a high-motor defensive end who's accumulated a career-high nine sacks and counting this season, as he's still preparing for the National Championship Game.