Insider questions current narrative surrounding Titans' draft plans

As recently as Tuesday morning, multiple noteworthy members of the NFL community suggested that the Cleveland Browns (pick No. 2) or New York Giants (No. 3) will acquire the first overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft from the Tennessee Titans in order to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward on the night of April 24. 

However, NFL reporter Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic predicted on Tuesday that the Titans will hold onto the draft's first selection and use that asset to land Ward. 

"There’s been a lot of assumption that the Titans will trade out of the No. 1 pick to accumulate more assets," Rosenblatt explained. "Has anyone ever stopped to ask why they wouldn’t just take the top quarterback prospect themselves? Will Levis is clearly not the answer. There are no other obvious solutions for a team that’s not quite a contender yet. And Ward at least has the potential to be something special, even if he’s not a surefire prospect like past No. 1 picks."

Many expect the Titans will hold onto Levis even if the club acquires multiple quarterbacks this offseason. With that said, the 2023 second-round draft pick was benched in December and hasn't yet shown he can be a franchise player at the position. According to Pro Football Reference, Levis ended the season ranked 42nd among qualified players with a 27.8 adjusted QBR. He tossed 13 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions over 12 games. 

Numerous analysts along with members of NFL front offices believe all six quarterbacks selected in the first round of last year's draft were better prospects at that time than Ward. Nevertheless, Tennessee needs to find a long-term QB1 amid its ongoing rebuild. In short, those running the Titans could lose their jobs if they trade what becomes the Ward draft pick and he looks like the real deal by the time Christmas Day 2025 rolls around. 

"The Titans have some pieces already in place to help him, including talented running backs (Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears), a wide receiver (Calvin Ridley) and a couple first-round offensive linemen (JC Latham, Peter Skoronski)," Rosenblatt added about Tennessee taking Ward.

On Monday, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated noted that the Titans are "not quite ready" to say what they'll do with the draft's first pick. Ward warned back in February that he'll "remember" if Tennessee passes on drafting him, but it seems he has work ahead of him if he wants to convince the Titans that he'll be worth more to them than what they'd receive in a trade for the top pick.