After a dismal 2024 campaign that saw the team finish with a league-worst 2-15 record, the Titans enter the 2025 NFL Draft holding the No. 1 overall pick — and with it, the fate of their franchise. General manager Ran Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan are staring at one of the most pivotal decisions in recent team history. A top pick in a draft loaded with star potential across multiple positions offers both an opportunity and a burden: get it right, and the Titans could accelerate a much-needed rebuild. Get it wrong, and the consequences could echo for years.
The Titans have glaring needs nearly everywhere. The offensive line was porous, the defensive front was inconsistent, and the secondary struggled to stop just about anyone. Will Levis showed flashes of potential in his rookie season, but inconsistency and injuries led many to question whether he’s truly the future at quarterback. Tennessee’s receiving corps lacks a true WR1, and the offense as a whole finished near the bottom in nearly every statistical category. Meanwhile, an aging and injury-prone defense was repeatedly gashed by the run and beaten deep through the air.
All of that has led to the Titans standing atop the 2025 NFL Draft board. And with that position comes immense power — and pressure.
The question for Tennessee is whether to stay at No. 1 and take a franchise-altering player, trade down for a haul of picks to address multiple needs, or shock everyone and double down on a quarterback despite having used a second-round pick on Levis just two years ago.
At the top of the conversation is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The 6-foot-4 phenom is widely regarded as one of the most physically gifted receivers to enter the draft in the last decade. A rare blend of size, speed, route-running, and elite ball skills, Smith torched defenses throughout his college career and appears to be a lock to become a Day 1 impact player in the NFL. For a Titans offense desperate for explosive playmakers, Smith could be the alpha receiver the team has lacked since A.J. Brown’s departure.
Smith’s college tape reveals a player who doesn’t just beat corners — he demoralizes them. He commands double coverage, dominates in the red zone, and makes contested catches look routine. His presence alone would shift how defenses play the Titans, opening up space for Treylon Burks, Chigoziem Okonkwo, and the run game. If the Titans believe Levis can develop into a legitimate starting quarterback, pairing him with a generational receiving talent like Smith might be the best way to find out.
Still, the allure of quarterbacks looms large. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Georgia’s Carson Beck are both drawing serious top-five buzz. Sanders, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, brings charisma, leadership, and a strong arm with NFL-caliber accuracy. His ability to make plays off-script and his poise in big moments have impressed scouts throughout the pre-draft process. Beck, on the other hand, is a polished pocket passer who quietly led Georgia’s offense with precision and maturity.
If Tennessee has any doubts about Levis being the long-term answer, the chance to reset the rookie quarterback contract window with a potential star like Sanders or Beck could prove too tempting to pass up. Both players come with questions — Sanders’ ability to handle pressure and Beck’s lack of dynamic athleticism chief among them — but their upside may justify the risk. The Titans have to ask themselves: are they confident Levis can become a top-15 quarterback in the league? If the answer is no, then taking a quarterback at No. 1 makes sense.
There’s also the possibility of turning the pick into a massive trade package. Teams in need of a quarterback — like the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, or Denver Broncos — could be willing to offer multiple first-rounders, future picks, and players to move up. In a draft with multiple elite prospects, trading down into the top five or top ten could allow Tennessee to accumulate assets while still drafting a blue-chip player. Think a scenario where the Titans move down to No. 3, pick up extra picks, and still land a top-tier tackle like Notre Dame’s Joe Alt or Penn State’s Olu Fashanu. Either player would immediately upgrade the offensive line and provide the kind of pass protection that’s been sorely missing.
The value of those top offensive tackles can’t be overstated. Alt and Fashanu are both viewed as cornerstones who could anchor a line for the next decade. In today’s NFL, where elite edge rushers dominate and quarterbacks need a clean pocket to succeed, securing a blindside protector is critical. With Nicholas Petit-Frere still developing and veteran free agents offering little upside, investing in an elite tackle could stabilize the offense regardless of who is under center.
Defensively, Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner could be a wildcard consideration. While taking a defensive player No. 1 overall is rare, Turner’s motor, athleticism, and ability to disrupt games have made him a fast riser. His versatility as a pass rusher and ability to play in multiple fronts could be appealing for a Titans defense that ranked near the bottom in sacks and quarterback pressures last season. If the Titans want to start rebuilding their identity on defense, Turner would be a cornerstone piece.
However, the path forward largely depends on the internal evaluations of Levis. If the Titans still believe in his upside, surrounding him with playmakers and protection is the best course of action. That means prioritizing Smith or one of the tackles. But if there’s any doubt — and there has to be some, given his uneven performances — the allure of taking a top quarterback becomes difficult to ignore.
The decision also has long-term ramifications beyond just the 2025 season. With the AFC South rapidly improving — the Texans are surging with C.J. Stroud, the Jaguars have Trevor Lawrence, and the Colts have Anthony Richardson — Tennessee cannot afford to fall further behind. They need a true identity, a face of the franchise, and an influx of elite talent. That begins with this pick.
Titans fans are understandably anxious. The last few years have been marred by poor roster construction, questionable trades, and coaching turnover. But a new regime is in place, and this draft could mark the start of a new era. The key is patience, precision, and a clear vision of what kind of team they want to become.
The smart play might be to stay at No. 1 and draft Jeremiah Smith, giving Levis every opportunity to prove himself with a legitimate WR1. Alternatively, if the evaluations point to someone like Shedeur Sanders being a future star, the Titans owe it to themselves to take that leap — even if it means admitting that Levis wasn’t the guy. And if they don’t see a true No. 1 talent they’re in love with, they could trade down and set themselves up with a war chest of picks to address multiple needs over the next two years.
No matter what they decide, the Titans control the 2025 NFL Draft. And for the first time in a long time, Tennessee holds the power to shape its own destiny. The road back to contention starts with one decision. The entire league is watching — and so are the fans, waiting to see if the Titans finally get it right.