Tennessee Titans Rookie Forecast 2025

Titans Rookie Forecast 2025

Solid Starter

Cam Ward, QB, Miami – Round 1

The Titans were desperate for a potential franchise quarterback, and they believed in Ward enough to make him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Ward has a quality arm, athleticism, and is creative when plays break down. While Ward may not have a special skill set with a Josh Allen-like arm or Lamar Jackson running ability, Ward has starting ability for the NFL.

As a quarterback, Ward is a unique prospect. At times, he can be an electric playmaker who can ad-lib his team into a big play. Ward is patient and dangerous when plays break down as he keeps his eyes downfield while scrambling and is capable of lofting the ball vertically to late-breaking receivers. Ward has flashes of good accuracy, but he is inconsistent with his accuracy. He needs to get more consistent with his footwork and ball placement. While Ward is dangerous off-script, he needs to get more effective on script. Ward holds the ball too long, needs to get faster with his internal clock, and reduce his gambling instinct. Holding the ball too long and a slow clock will lead to sacks in the NFL, and gambling could lead to issues with interceptions. Ward has some mobility, but he is not a dynamic athlete who is a true dual-threat quarterback at the pro level like Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen.

While I don’t think Ward will be an elite quarterback like Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, or Josh Allen, I think Ward could develop into a solid starter of the caliber of a Geno Smith-type starter. If the Titans build the team well around Ward, I think he could become a solid starter in his second or third season in the NFL.

2024: Cedric Gray, LB
2023: Tyjae Spears, RB
2022: Roger McCreary, CB
2021: Monty Rice, LB
2020: Kristian Fulton, CB
2019: A.J. Brown, WR
2018: Dane Cruikshank, S
2017: Corey Davis, WR
2016: Jack Conklin, OT
2015: Jalston Fowler, FB
2014: Bishop Sankey, RB
2013: Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB

Most Likely To Bust

Olu Oladejo, OLB, UCLA – Round 2

There were some in the media that were hyping Oladejo as a first-round pick, but teams did not grade him that high and he ended up going on the second day of the draft. While Oladejo plays hard, there are some developmental issues that he is going to need to work on in the NFL. He needs to improve his agility, rush plan, and get more consistent with putting pressure on the quarterback. At 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Oladejo is not especially big and is not overly fast off the edge. I think he lacks a defining winning trait and has bust potential for Tennessee.

2024: T’Vondre Sweat, DT
2023: Will Levis, QB
2022: Malik Willis, QB
2021: Elijah Molden, CB
2020: Darrynton Evans, RB
2019: Nate Davis, G
2018: Harold Landry, DE
2017: Taywan Taylor, WR
2016: Kevin Dodd, DE
2015: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR
2014: Marqueston Huff, S
2013: Zavier Gooden, LB

Potential Boom Pick

I was not impressed with the Titans first draft under new general manager Mike Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker. I think Cam Ward could become a solid starter, but I don’t see boom pick potential with him or any of the Titans draft picks.

2024: J.C. Latham, OT
2023: Peter Skoronski, OT
2022: Treylon Burks, WR
2021: Caleb Farley, CB
2020: Isaiah Wilson, OT
2019: Jeff Simmons, DT
2018: Rashaan Evans, LB
2017: Adoree’ Jackson, CB
2016: Derrick Henry, RB
2015: Marcus Mariota, QB
2014: Taylor Lewan, OT
2013: Chance Warmack, G

Future Depth Player

Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State – Round 5

The Titans added some secondary competition with Winston in the third round. He has a good skill set but lacks some instincts. At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Winston has the size to be a strong safety and also could be a good contributor on special teams. Winston’s coverage skills and lack of instincts might make him more of a backup strong safety, but I think he could become a solid player in that role.

2024: Jarvis Brownlee, CB
2023: Josh Whyle, TE
2022: Hassan Haskins, RB
2021: Rashad Weaver, DE
2020: Larrell Murchison, DT
2019: D’Andre Walker, LB
2018: Luke Falk, QB
2017: Jonnu Smith, TE
2016: Tajae Sharpe, WR
2015: David Cobb, RB
2014: Zach Mettenberger, QB
2013: Justin Hunter, WR