How the Tennessee Titans may increase their stockpile without having to give up their first NFL draft pick

As the Tennessee Titans look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, there’s a growing sense of urgency to improve their roster. Coming off a 2024 season that saw the team fail to make the playoffs, Tennessee is at a crossroads in its franchise history. The Titans’ first-round pick—set at the 11th overall position—holds significant importance, with many positions of need, from quarterback and offensive line to wide receiver and defensive depth.

However, the Titans’ general manager, Ran Carthon, and head coach, Mike Vrabel, might be thinking about a way to bolster the team’s roster without sacrificing their valuable first-round selection. While many teams may look to trade up to acquire high-value players or future assets, the Titans are in a unique position where their first-round pick is essential for long-term success. This article will explore strategies that could allow the Titans to enhance their draft stock and increase their overall value without giving up the 11th pick.

Why Keep the First-Round Pick?

Before delving into possible strategies, it’s crucial to understand why keeping the 11th overall pick is so important to the Titans. The first round of the NFL Draft is often where teams can find instant contributors, especially for rebuilding teams like the Titans, who need young, impactful players. Tennessee has several areas of need, and the 11th pick gives them the opportunity to select a potential franchise quarterback, a key offensive lineman, a wide receiver, or a defensive playmaker.

For example, if the Titans decide to take a quarterback with the 11th pick, they could find a long-term solution under center, which would help reset their franchise trajectory. Similarly, improving their offensive line or wide receiver corps with a first-round pick would significantly improve their chances of future success. The key to all of these moves is that the Titans can secure a cornerstone player without compromising their future by trading away this pick.

So, the challenge for Carthon and the front office is to figure out how to accumulate more draft capital while keeping that essential first-round selection.

Trade Back: A Potential Strategy to Add More Picks

One of the most common strategies for teams that want to increase their draft stock without sacrificing their first-round pick is to trade back. Trading back involves moving down a few spots in the draft to acquire additional picks—whether it’s a second-round pick, third-round pick, or future picks in upcoming drafts. The Titans, sitting at 11th overall, could move back in the draft and still land a high-quality player.

The strategy of trading back is not about losing out on talent, but rather about taking advantage of the draft’s depth. The Titans may see that there is a tier of players they like in the middle of the first round, and they may believe that they can still secure a player who fits their needs by moving back a few spots while picking up additional assets. This is particularly attractive for teams that want to stockpile picks to address multiple areas of need or potentially add a future asset to their roster.

Who Might the Titans Trade With?

Several teams in the NFL could be interested in trading up into the Titans’ spot. These teams might be looking for a specific player they feel will impact their immediate future, especially if there’s a quarterback or elite prospect still on the board when it’s time for the Titans to pick. Below are potential suitors for a trade-up:

• Teams Seeking a Quarterback: If a quarterback like Will Levis, Anthony Richardson, or J.J. McCarthy is available at No. 11, teams in desperate need of a quarterback might be willing to trade up. The Tennessee Titans could field calls from franchises like the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders, or even the Indianapolis Colts, all of whom have uncertainty at quarterback and may want to secure their future signal-caller.
• Playoff Contenders Looking to Add Key Talent: Teams that are close to contention may be looking to trade up for an immediate difference-maker. For example, teams like the Baltimore Ravens or Miami Dolphins could look to trade up to snag a player who would push them over the top—whether it’s a wide receiver, edge rusher, or offensive lineman.

In these scenarios, the Titans could move back a few spots to a position where they would still have access to a high-quality player but gain additional picks. By trading back, they would have the ability to fill more needs in the coming draft, perhaps adding multiple players to help balance the roster.

Potential Trade Back Scenarios

• Titans Trade Back to No. 15: A trade down to No. 15 with a team like the Minnesota Vikings could net the Titans a third-round pick or a future second-round pick. In this scenario, Tennessee could still grab a key player like Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR), Broderick Jones (OT), or Nolan Smith (EDGE)—players who might be available at that spot and would address areas of need without compromising the roster’s overall future.
• Titans Trade Back to No. 18: Moving back to No. 18 with a team like the Las Vegas Raiders could yield even more draft capital. In this case, the Titans might be able to secure a player like Zay Flowers (WR), Darnell Wright (OT), or Joey Porter Jr. (CB), who could make an immediate impact while still giving the Titans multiple additional picks for future seasons.

Through a trade-back strategy, the Titans could not only secure their primary needs but add more depth to their roster without sacrificing a chance to draft a top-tier talent.

Targeting Day 2 and Day 3 Draft Picks: Additional Strategy

Another way the Titans can increase their draft stock without giving up their first-round pick is by targeting Day 2 (second- and third-round picks) and Day 3 (fourth to seventh-round picks) selections. These picks can be acquired in trades, particularly by leveraging veteran players who may not fit into the team’s long-term plans or by moving back in the draft.

For example, the Titans could look to trade a veteran player like Taylor Lewan (OT), Denico Autry (DT), or Bud Dupree (OLB) for additional picks. If these players have value on the trade market, they could be used as bargaining chips to acquire more draft capital. A strategic trade involving one of these veterans could net the Titans a valuable second- or third-round pick in 2025, or even a future draft pick that can be used to further enhance the roster.

Additionally, the Titans could explore trading down in the second or third rounds to accumulate additional picks. For example, if they identify a player who might fall to the middle of the second round or if a certain prospect drops unexpectedly, the Titans could move back again, collect more draft capital, and still secure the player they desire.

A Potential Trade Example: Trading a Veteran for Picks

The Titans could trade an established player like Ryan Tannehill, whose contract is expiring soon and who may not fit into the team’s long-term plans, to a quarterback-needy team for additional picks. If the Titans are not committed to Tannehill as their future quarterback, the trade of a veteran could be leveraged to stockpile future picks. Teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Atlanta Falcons, who have lingering quarterback questions, could be potential suitors for such a move.

This could give the Titans the chance to bolster their 2025 draft haul and stockpile more assets for the future without giving up their key first-round pick.

Maximizing Compensatory Picks: A Long-Term Strategy

While not a quick fix for the current draft, the Titans can also look ahead to the future by maximizing the value of compensatory picks. The NFL hands out compensatory picks to teams that lose significant free agents, and the Titans could see some of their departed players result in additional draft selections.

For example, players like David Long Jr. (LB) or Nate Davis (OG) could generate compensatory picks for the Titans in future years. The key here is that the Titans should continue to build with an eye toward generating long-term value through smart contract management and free-agent departures.