The Tennessee Titans are officially on the clock for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Titans locked up the No. 1 pick with Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans combined with the New England Patriots beating the Buffalo Bills during Week 18. Following them are the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, New England Patriots, and Jacksonville Jaguars, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting draft.
The biggest question now revolves around what the Titans will do with the No. 1 selection. They recently drafted quarterback Will Levis with the 33rd overall pick in 2023, yet his time on the field was marred by injuries and inconsistent performances throughout the season. Speculation is rife—Tennessee could either remain at No. 1 to pick Levis' potential replacement or select dual-threat standout Travis Hunter, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
Hunter has captured attention with his electrifying play at both wide receiver and cornerback during his collegiate career, leaving the Titans with considerable options as they look to reshape their team.
The current draft order was finalized after the Week 18 early games, with the Titans cementing their place at the top based on their win-loss records. Ties were broken by considering the strength of schedule, and it will be months before all scenarios surrounding the draft emerge, particularly as playoffs draw near.
The Titans finish the 2024 season with a dismal record of 3-14, alongside other teams like the Browns and Giants, who also recorded the same record but placed lower due to tiebreakers. This outcome means the Titans have the first pick for the first time since 2016 when they traded away the selection. Meanwhile, they'll be considering various needs, such as offensive tackle and linebacker, alongside their quarterback conundrum.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns are positioned second, also with a 3-14 record. With key players possibly departing, including quarterback Jameis Winston and running back Nick Chubb, their focus at the draft will heavily lean toward bolstering their offense. It’s widely speculated they may look to draft another quarterback, possibly Cam Ward, to revive their stagnant attack.
The New York Giants hold the third pick and must also address their quarterback situation—Will they bring someone new to compete with Daniel Jones? Positioned at No. 3, they're expected to turn to the best available talent. The speculation surrounds Travis Hunter here as well, potentially filling either the wide receiver or cornerback role, both of which could yield substantial improvements.
The New England Patriots, now drafting at No. 4, made headlines for inadvertently drop-kicking themselves down the board. After winning their last game against the Bills, New England lost the chance at the No. 1 selection they were seemingly poised to inherit. Their strategy at the draft will entail enhancing their roster, likely around their promising young quarterback, Drake Maye.
Maye’s debut season has shown promise, making the Patriots rethink their approach toward this draft—no longer needing to target quarterbacks but rather focusing on building around him. They will look for help on the offensive line and are eyeing prospects like Will Campbell to sure up protection.
With plenty of action expected leading up to the draft on April 24-26, lots of teams will be pondering valuable opportunities to strengthen their rosters. The Titans have the weight of significant decisions on their shoulders as they hold the coveted No. 1 choice, potentially shaping the direction of their franchise for years to come. The remainder of the teams, including the Browns, Giants, and Patriots, will also chart their strategies as they face pivotal choices during this offseason.
For football fans, the anticipation surrounding the draft promises excitement as teams carve out their future directions. Who will be selected first? And how might those selections ripple through the entire league? Only time will tell, but for the Titans and the rest of the top teams, the scrutiny and speculation have just begun.