The 2024 season was nothing short of a nightmare for the Tennessee Titans. A 3-14 finish marked their worst record since 2014 and exposed the organization’s dire need for a franchise reset. The reward — if you can call it that — was the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. For months, speculation swirled around whether Tennessee would hold onto that pick or trade down to stockpile selections in what many considered a transitional quarterback class.
Ultimately, the Titans made a bold decision — and the right one. They are staying put at No. 1 and will likely draft Cam Ward, the electric quarterback from Miami (FL), as the franchise’s new face.
Many analysts argued Tennessee should punt on this year’s QB class and target the projected stars of 2026. But that kind of thinking is a gamble with no guaranteed payout. Ask teams that waited for the next “can’t-miss” prospect — only to discover that injuries, regression, or poor development reshaped the class. The truth is, quarterback talent doesn’t always follow projections, and the Titans couldn’t afford to miss on the rare opportunity to land a top-tier dual-threat talent like Ward.
This mock draft is built to surround Ward with the tools he’ll need to grow into Tennessee’s long-awaited answer at quarterback. Here’s how the Titans used their draft capital to build that foundation:
More: Two-Rd NFL Mock Draft: 2025
Round 1, Pick 1: Cam Ward – QB, Miami (FL)
The Titans got their guy.
Cam Ward offers the dynamic skill set that modern offenses build around. He has elite arm strength, creative mobility, and the rare ability to make off-script plays when protection breaks down. In Brian Callahan’s offense, which emphasizes verticality and spread concepts, Ward is an ideal fit.
More importantly, Ward is a massive upgrade over Will Levis and any other passer on the depth chart regarding poise, processing, and play extension. While he’ll need time to adjust to the NFL’s speed and coverages, he provides a clear long-term plan for the position — something Tennessee has been lacking since the tail end of the Marcus Mariota era.
This pick re-energizes the franchise and signals a new chapter.
Round 2, Pick 35: Emeka Egbuka – WR, Ohio State
With Ward in place, the Titans shift focus to upgrading his arsenal.
Emeka Egbuka is a polished route-runner with strong hands and a high football IQ. At Ohio State, he consistently found separation underneath and over the middle, making him a reliable target in play-action and timing-based concepts.
Pairing Egbuka with Calvin Ridley gives Ward a blend of veteran savvy and youthful explosiveness. Egbuka can start in the slot immediately and eventually take over as the team’s WR1 of the future. He’s also dangerous after the catch, which will be crucial in helping Ward find easy completions early in his career.
Round 3, Pick 103: Jordan Burch – EDGE, Oregon
Even with the focus on offense, the Titans couldn’t ignore their pass-rushing deficiencies.
Jordan Burch brings length, explosiveness, and a relentless motor off the edge. Though still developing his pass-rush technique, he has the raw tools to thrive in Tennessee’s evolving defensive front. With the departure of Harold Landry, the Titans need fresh blood to anchor their pass rush for the next five years.
Burch is a high-upside investment with starter potential by Year 2.
Round 4, Pick 120: Jacob Parrish – CB, Kansas State
Tennessee’s secondary struggled in 2024, especially in nickel coverage and against crossing routes. Jacob Parrish is an aggressive, twitchy corner with excellent anticipation and ball skills.
While slightly undersized, he excels in zone coverage and brings an edge to run support. Parrish is an ideal candidate to start at nickel corner while developing into a future boundary option, and with an improving safety group already in place, adding Parrish rounds out the backend rotation.
Round 5, Pick 141: Jack Kiser – LB, Notre Dame
Depth and reliability are key themes in this pick.
Jack Kiser is a smart, instinctive linebacker with sideline-to-sideline speed and special teams versatility. He may not be flashy, but he’s a steady contributor who gives defensive coordinators flexibility. With uncertainty around the long-term linebacker depth chart, Kiser gives the Titans a dependable option in sub-packages and a core special teamer from Day 1.
Round 5, Pick 167: Devin Neal – RB, Kansas
Every young quarterback needs a run game to lean on — and Devin Neal offers just that.
Neal is a compact downhill runner with great vision and contact balance. He’s also a proven pass-catcher, making him a true three-down option. With Tyjae Spears continuing to carve out his role and Tony Pollard possibly on a short leash, Neal gives Tennessee another dynamic option in the backfield.
Don’t be surprised if he becomes a fan favorite as Ward’s go-to outlet.
The Titans entered this draft knowing they had to get it right. Tennessee showed conviction and vision by choosing to build around Cam Ward rather than defer to a hypothetically better 2026 class. The supporting cast assembled in this five-round mock sets the table for growth, competitiveness, and, eventually, contention.
It’s the kind of draft that doesn’t just rebuild a roster — it resets a franchise.
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