In the most recent Pro Football Network mock, the Titans trade down to increase their draft stock.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Tennessee Titans are facing one of the most critical decisions in the team’s recent history: how to best use their draft assets to build a team that can compete for years to come. With the Titans sitting in a prime position to improve their roster, there’s a lot of speculation about how they will approach the draft. In the most recent mock draft by Pro Football Network (PFN), the Titans made a bold move to trade down from their current draft position, opting to increase their draft stock and accumulate more valuable picks for the future.

This decision is a significant one, as the Titans are in the midst of a rebuild and are looking to fortify several key areas on the roster. While the team could have stayed put and selected a high-profile prospect, trading down is seen as a way to maximize value and stockpile assets that will help build the team over the long term. As the Titans’ front office evaluates their needs and the available talent in the draft, this trade-down strategy could help address their immediate needs while also setting the team up for sustained success.

In this article, we’ll dive into the details of the PFN mock draft, analyzing why the Titans chose to trade down, the potential impact of such a move, and the players they could target with the additional picks they gained through the trade. We will also explore how this decision aligns with the team’s long-term goals, the market for trades in the 2025 draft, and the possible outcomes for the Titans moving forward.

The Current State of the Titans’ Roster

Before exploring the reasons behind the Titans’ decision to trade down, it’s important to understand the team’s current roster situation. The Titans are in the midst of a transition, with an aging veteran quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, and a team that has struggled to put together consistent offensive performances in recent years. Their defense, however, has been solid, with standout players like Jeffrey Simmons, Harold Landry, and Kevin Byard anchoring the unit. Despite their strong defense, the Titans have failed to find consistent success on offense, leading to speculation about a potential rebuild.

The main focus for the Titans moving forward is finding a quarterback of the future. While Tannehill has been a steady presence for the team, his age and diminishing performance have prompted the Titans to consider a younger signal-caller who can be the centerpiece of the team for the next decade. The quarterback position is undoubtedly the top priority for the Titans, but they also need to address other key areas, including offensive line help, playmaking weapons, and possibly adding another piece to the defense.

With these needs in mind, the Titans could approach the draft in one of two ways: either selecting a quarterback high in the first round or trading down to accumulate more picks to fill multiple positions. In the PFN mock draft, the Titans chose the latter strategy, opting to trade down in the first round to enhance their chances of addressing several key needs.

The Titans’ Trade Down: A Strategic Move

In the PFN mock draft, the Titans made a strategic trade down from their original draft position, acquiring additional picks to give them more flexibility and room to maneuver. This move reflects the team’s recognition that they are not just a single player away from competing at the highest level; instead, they need to build depth and address multiple areas of concern to become a true contender.

Trading down in the draft is not a new concept, but it can be a risky proposition. Moving down allows a team to gather more picks, but it also means sacrificing the opportunity to select an elite player at the top of the draft. In this case, the Titans made the decision to move back, knowing that they could still land impactful players later in the first round or in the second round, where the depth of talent in this draft class is strong.

The reasoning behind the trade down can be broken down into several factors:

1. Increased Draft Stock: By trading down, the Titans increased their draft stock significantly. This move allowed the team to acquire more draft capital for future years, which can be particularly beneficial for a rebuilding team. More picks mean more opportunities to find talent at multiple positions, rather than just focusing on one area of need.
2. Addressing Multiple Needs: The Titans have several pressing needs, including quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver, and depth on defense. By trading down, they gained the flexibility to address multiple positions of need and provide the team with more depth moving forward. The Titans’ current roster is not devoid of talent, but they need more contributors across the board to become a complete team.
3. Quarterback Depth: The 2025 draft is expected to have several strong quarterback prospects, but the Titans may not feel the need to select a quarterback at the top of the draft. If the team believes that there is depth at the position and that they can get a quality quarterback in the second or third round, moving down allows them to maximize value while still having a chance to get their future signal-caller. This strategy might also indicate that the Titans are not completely sold on any one quarterback at the top of the draft and want to wait until they can get the best value.
4. Creating Trade Leverage: Trading down in the draft also creates leverage for future moves. If the Titans are in a position to select multiple players at different positions, they could leverage their picks in future drafts to move up or make a major trade if needed. This flexibility allows the team to remain nimble in their approach and responsive to changes in the draft order or the team’s needs.
5. Maximizing Draft Value: The 2025 draft class is viewed as one of the deepest in recent years, with significant talent available at multiple positions. By trading down, the Titans were able to acquire more picks in this deep class, ensuring they could land impactful players who could contribute immediately or develop over time. In a draft with depth, the Titans recognized that the value of moving down outweighed the opportunity to select a player at the top of the draft board.

What the Titans Could Do with Additional Picks

With the trade-down strategy in place, the Titans now have additional picks to work with in the 2025 draft. These additional selections allow the team to target multiple positions of need and find talent that can contribute right away. Here are some of the key areas the Titans are likely to focus on with their new draft stock:

1. Quarterback: The Titans’ most pressing need is undoubtedly finding a quarterback of the future. While they may not have selected a quarterback with their original first-round pick, they are now in a strong position to select a quarterback later in the first round or in the second round. With the depth of talent at the quarterback position in 2025, the Titans could take a chance on a quarterback like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or J.J. McCarthy—players who have shown potential but may not have been selected at the top of the draft. With more picks at their disposal, the Titans can afford to be patient and find the right quarterback at the right value.
2. Offensive Line: Another area of concern for the Titans is their offensive line. With Ryan Tannehill’s career winding down and a future quarterback on the horizon, the team must ensure that their offensive line can protect their signal-caller and create running lanes for Derrick Henry. The Titans will likely target offensive line prospects in the first or second rounds, looking for a player who can start immediately and provide stability up front.
3. Wide Receiver: Despite having talented players like A.J. Brown (who was traded to the Eagles) and Treylon Burks, the Titans have struggled to consistently build a high-powered passing attack. With the additional draft capital from the trade, the Titans could target a wide receiver in the middle rounds, looking for someone who can provide playmaking ability alongside Henry and the quarterback of the future. A big, physical receiver or a quick, shifty slot receiver could add another dimension to the Titans’ offense.
4. Defensive Depth: The Titans’ defense is already one of the better units in the NFL, but with the addition of more picks, the team could add depth to their defensive line or secondary. Players like cornerbacks, linebackers, or defensive linemen who can contribute immediately and provide rotational depth would be a valuable asset to the team.
5. Best Player Available: Another option for the Titans is to simply select the best player available when their pick comes up. With multiple positions to address, the Titans could take the opportunity to select a player who could develop into a key contributor over time, whether it’s a pass-rusher, a cornerback, or a playmaking tight end.