Tennessee Titans (Last Year: 3-14)
2025 NFL Season Preview:
Veteran Additions:
QB Brandon Allen, WR Tyler Lockett, WR Van Jefferson, OT Dan Moore, G Kevin Zeitler, DT Dre’Mont Jones, DT Carlos Watkins, LB Cody Barton, S Xavier Woods, K Joey Slye, P Johnny Hekker.
Early Draft Picks:
QB Cam Ward, OLB Olu Oladejo, S Kevin Winston, WR Elic Ayomanor, WR Chimere Dike, TE Gunnar Helm. Titans Rookie Forecast
Offseason Losses:
QB Mason Rudolph, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR Tyler Boyd, G Dillon Radunz, C Daniel Brunskill, DT Sebastian Joseph-Day, OLB Harold Landry, LB Jack Gibbens, LB Jerome Baker, LB Luke Gifford, CB Chidobe Awuzie, K Nick Folk.
2025 Tennessee Titans Offense:
There was some speculation early in the draft process that the Titans would eschew the quarterbacks and select either Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter atop the 2025 NFL Draft. Common sense prevailed, as the Titans addressed a position that sorely needed help after Will Levis and Mason Rudolph embarrassed themselves on a weekly basis. Tennessee ended up drafting the consensus top quarterback in the class, Cam Ward, a mobile signal-caller who has exceeded expectations at every point in his collegiate career.
Tennessee’s front office made sure that it obtained the proper blocking for its young quarterback. Two new offensive linemen were added in free agency. Former Steeler left tackle Dan Moore was signed to fill the blind-side spot and start as a bookend to J.C. Latham. Moore isn’t great by any means, but he is coming off a solid year and should provide an upgrade at a position that was a problem area last year. Latham was that problem area, but he was a natural right tackle trying to play on the blind side. He’s much more of a natural fit at right tackle.
The other offensive line addition was Kevin Zeitler, who played guard for the Lions last year. Zeitler is 35, but he performed at a high level in 2024. Unless there’s regression, he’ll provide a huge upgrade in the interior next to Peter Skoronski and Lloyd Cushenberry. Zeitler figures to be the best of the bunch. Skoronski is a recent No. 11 overall pick, but he hasn’t lived up to that draft billing quite yet. Cushenberry was a liability at center last season.
Speaking of liabilities, the Titans didn’t have much at receiver beyond Calvin Ridley to help their quarterbacks last year. Ridley had some poor performances to start the year, but picked up the pace as the season progressed. DeAndre Hopkins was the No. 2 to begin the year, but he was soon traded to Kansas City. He was replaced by Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who caught nine touchdowns but then went on to sign with the Dolphins. Tennessee responded by signing a couple of veterans in free agency – Tyler Lockett, Van Jefferson – but neither is expected to contribute much. Fourth-round rookie Elic Ayomanor could be the second-best receiver on the team, as could undrafted free agent Xavier Restrapo, who played with Ward at Miami. There’s also Chig Okonkwo, an athletic tight end who could have a breakout season.
While Tennessee doesn’t have adequate receivers for Ward outside of Ridley, they at least possess some quality running backs. Tony Pollard had a down 2023 season because he was coming off injury, but he rebounded well last year, displaying far more explosiveness than he did in his final season in Dallas. There’s also Tyjae Spears, who’s a gifted receiver out of the backfield.
2025 Tennessee Titans Defense:
When Mike Vrabel was coaching this team, the Titans always fielded a respectable defense. Save for one season, the Titans finished 16th or better in points allowed each year under Vrabel. In the first year following Vrabel’s firing, the Titans sputtered to rank 30th in points surrendered.
Things figure to be even worse for Tennessee’s defense this year, as the team lost some key free agents. Primarily, Harold Landry departed to join Vrabel in New England. Landry led the team in sacks last year with nine, so he’ll sorely be missed. Arden Key and his 6.5 sacks are still there, but he was able to benefit from teams being focused on Landry and Jeffery Simmons. With Landry gone, Key will be asked to do more, and it doesn’t seem feasible that he’ll make a big leap. Second-round rookie Olu Oladejo will be in the mix to get some edge-rushing snaps.
Sticking with the linebackers, the Titans had some turnover considering their off-ball players. Jack Gibbens departed after a strong season. Tennessee signed Cody Barton, who thrives in run support, but can be a big liability in coverage. Despite this, Barton is likely going to be Tennessee’s best off-ball linebacker, as Otis Reese and James Williams, the two primary players competing for the right to start next to Barton, both were awful last season.
The Titans also lost one of their starting cornerbacks, with Chidobe Awuzie signing with Baltimore this offseason. Awuzie played well when he was on the field, but missed nine games because of injury. L’Jarius Sneed missed even more time – he was limited to just three games – but he was one of the worst starting cornerbacks in the NFL last year. If he can’t recover from such an injury-plagued season, Tennessee’s starting outside cornerbacks might be Jarvis Brownlee and Darrell Baker. Brownlee is young – he was a fifth-round rookie in 2024 – but he really struggled. Baker was better by default, but still wasn’t remotely great. Nickel corner Roger McCreary could once again be the best player at the position.
Safety is far more stable for Tennessee, as the front office didn’t lose a single player at the position. In fact, the Titans signed Xavier Woods to help the situation. Woods has performed well in the past, but he’s now 30 and is coming off a bit of a down year. Given his age, he could be mediocre for a while before he completely regresses. He’ll start next to Amani Hooker, Tennessee’s top player in the secondary. There’s also third-round rookie Kevin Winston, who could push Woods for the starting gig.
The best group in Tennessee’s defense is the front line. Simmons is one of the better linemen in the NFL, while T’Vondre Sweat was a massive run-stopper in his rookie season. The Titans also have Sebastian Joseph-Day and the newly signed Dre’Mont Jones to play in a very strong rotation.
2025 Tennessee Titans Schedule and Intangibles:
The Titans have a new kicker, signing Joey Slye over from the Patriots. He was 26-of-33, but hit 6-of-9 from 50-plus in 2024.
There’s also a new punter on the roster, with Johnny Hekker being signed from the Panthers. Hekker, master of the fake punt, was 12th in net punting and was average at pinning the opposition inside the 20.
The Titans will battle some tough opponents for having a fourth-place schedule. They have to take on the Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers, 49ers, and Rams. They have some easy foes as well, including the Patriots, Raiders, Seahawks, Browns, and Saints.
2025 Tennessee Titans Rookies:
Go here for the Titans Rookie Forecast, a page with predictions like which rookie will bust and which rookie will become a solid starter.
2025 Tennessee Titans Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):
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Projection: 3-14 (4th in AFC South)
2024 Projection: 5-12. 2024 Actual Result: 3-14.
2023 Projection: 6-11. 2023 Actual Result: 6-11.
2022 Projection: 9-8. 2022 Actual Result: 7-10.
2021 Projection: 9-8. 2021 Actual Result: 12-5.
2020 Projection: 9-7. 2020 Actual Result: 11-5.
2019 Projection: 7-9. 2019 Actual Result: 9-7.
2018 Projection: 7-9. 2018 Actual Result: 9-7.
2017 Projection: 11-5. 2017 Actual Result: 9-7.
2016 Projection: 6-10. 2016 Actual Result: 9-7.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
1. Cam Ward, QB, Miami – A Grade
I’ve seen opinions from NFL media people that the Titans should eschew a quarterback and draft Travis Hunter instead. While Hunter is the safer prospect, I believe the Titans are correct in selecting Cam Ward because he gives them the most upside for the next decade. Ward isn’t on the level of the top quarterbacks from a year ago, but he provides great rushing ability with plenty of passing talent. The Titans have needed a franchise quarterback for a long time, and it seems as though they’ve finally found one.
52. Olu Oladejo, DE, UCLA – B Grade
This pick can’t be a surprise. The Titans lost Harold Landry this offseason, so they needed to find a pass rusher. Olu Oladejo can rush the passer, and I thought he made sense in the 50-70 range. This is a solid pick.
82. Kevin Winston, S, Penn State – B+ Grade
The Titans couldn’t stop the pass last year, so they had to find help in their secondary. Kevin Winston was projected in the third round, and I saw some second-round consideration for him despite an ACL tear. This is a pretty solid pick for Tennessee.
103. Chimere Dike, WR, Florida – B+ Grade
Chimere Dike is a speedy receiver who was projected in this range. The Titans really needed receiver help, so I like this pick for the Titans. Solid way to start Day 3.
120. Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas – B+ Grade
Another weapon for Cam Ward. Gunnar Helm was a dangerous receiving threat for Texas, and perhaps he’ll play similarly for the Titans. He makes sense as a fourth-round pick.
136. Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford – A+ Grade
Elic Ayomanor is someone I mocked late in the first round once upon a time. I initially settled on him being a third-round prospect, so I still love the value. It’s great that the Titans keep giving Cam Ward weapons. Ayomanor, a tall receiver, can be seen as a steal.
167. Jackson Slater, G/C, Sacramento State – B+ Grade
The Titans added lots of receiving play-makers for Cam Ward. Here is some protection. Jackson Slater is a versatile lineman capable of playing guard and center, and he fits the range as a fifth-round prospect.
183. Marcus Harris, CB, California – B- Grade
The Titans lost a starting cornerback to free agency, so it’s not a surprise that they drafted a player at the position. I had Marcus Harris going a bit later than this.
188. Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan – C Grade
This pick neither fills a need nor provides good value. The physical Kalel Mullings was considered a seventh-round pick, and the Titans have two good running backs, so I don’t get this selection.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
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