The Tennessee Titans are expected to select intriguingly with the first overall pick.

As the NFL offseason intensifies, the Tennessee Titans are expected to make a highly anticipated selection with the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. With a franchise that has seen varying degrees of success in recent years, the Titans find themselves at a crossroads. The arrival of a new general manager, Mike Borgonzi, coupled with the team’s strategic position in the draft, opens up a myriad of possibilities that could shape the franchise’s future for years to come. This moment represents a unique opportunity for the Titans to inject new life into a roster that has both strengths and weaknesses, and the decision they make with the first pick will have lasting ramifications for the team’s trajectory.

Given the current state of the Titans’ roster, their draft decision seems poised to be one of the most intriguing and closely scrutinized in the league. Will they take a quarterback to potentially usher in a new era? Will they target a generational talent on the defensive side of the ball? Or perhaps, given their position in the AFC South, they will opt for an immediate impact player who can contribute to the team’s playoff aspirations in 2025? In this analysis, we’ll break down the current roster situation, the Titans’ draft needs, and the most likely options for them at the top of the 2025 draft.

The Current State of the Tennessee Titans

Before diving into the specific draft options, it’s essential to evaluate the Titans’ current roster and pinpoint the areas that need the most attention. Despite making the playoffs in some recent seasons, Tennessee’s roster has shown signs of aging and inconsistency, particularly in its offensive line and wide receiver corps. Meanwhile, the defense, while still strong in areas like the defensive line, has also had its share of struggles, particularly in pass coverage.

The Titans are particularly reliant on their star running back, Derrick Henry, who has been a dominant force in the NFL for years. However, with the wear and tear of his career, there are growing concerns about how much longer he can continue to carry the load at an elite level. The Titans’ offense, despite being built around Henry’s strength and explosiveness, lacks consistency in other areas. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, while serviceable, has been prone to mistakes and is nearing the end of his contract, leaving many to wonder if the Titans will look for a future star under center.

Defensively, the Titans boast a solid pass rush, with players like Jeffrey Simmons and Harold Landry leading the charge. However, the secondary remains a weak point, and the overall defense has not consistently been able to stop high-powered offenses in recent years. The Titans are a team that prides itself on its toughness, but to truly compete for a Super Bowl, they need to improve in several areas, especially in terms of depth and skill on both sides of the ball.

The Importance of the First Overall Pick

As one of the worst-performing teams in the league during the previous season, the Titans are in an advantageous position with the first overall pick. For the first time in several years, the Titans are not competing for a playoff spot and instead have the opportunity to select a franchise-altering player who can make an immediate impact. The Titans’ front office, under Mike Borgonzi, will have to weigh a variety of factors when making the decision.

Potential Areas of Focus for the Titans with the First Overall Pick

Given their current roster and the ever-evolving nature of the NFL, the Titans are in a prime position to address multiple needs with the first pick. While they could go in several directions, the following positions are most likely to be at the forefront of the Titans’ decision-making process.

1. Quarterback: The Future of the Franchise

The most intriguing and talked-about option for the Titans is selecting a quarterback with the first overall pick. As mentioned, Ryan Tannehill has been a reliable veteran for Tennessee but has shown limitations, particularly when the team needs him most. With Tannehill’s contract situation and the Titans’ need to plan for the future, Borgonzi may see the quarterback position as the most crucial long-term investment.

In this year’s draft, several highly touted quarterback prospects could fit the bill for the Titans, including Caleb Williams from USC, Drake Maye from North Carolina, and Michael Penix Jr. from Washington. Williams, in particular, is considered by many to be one of the most gifted quarterbacks in recent memory, combining elite arm strength with a natural playmaking ability that could bring a new dimension to the Titans’ offense. Maye, similarly, has impressed scouts with his size, accuracy, and poise under pressure.

If Borgonzi and the Titans’ front office decide to take a quarterback, they would be looking for someone who can thrive both as a pocket passer and as a dual-threat capable of creating opportunities outside the pocket. Given the team’s offensive struggles in recent seasons, a fresh face at quarterback could inject the offense with energy and elevate the overall play of the team. The Titans would need to make the right choice, selecting a player with both the skill set and mentality to take the franchise to the next level.

2. Edge Rusher: A Potential Game-Changer on Defense

While the Titans’ pass rush has been decent in recent years, with players like Simmons and Landry wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks, the defense as a whole has not been able to consistently stop high-powered offenses. Adding a top-tier edge rusher to complement the existing defensive line could be a key move for the franchise. The NFL is increasingly a quarterback-driven league, and getting pressure on the opposing passer is one of the most effective ways to disrupt an offensive game plan.

Players like Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama and Jalen Carter from Georgia are both highly regarded edge prospects who could make an immediate impact for the Titans. Anderson, in particular, is a dominant force on the edge, with a combination of size, speed, and technical ability that makes him one of the most coveted prospects in recent memory. He would fit perfectly into the Titans’ defense and could help take it to the next level.

In addition to adding depth to the pass rush, drafting an edge rusher would help the team’s overall defense by allowing them to create more pressure without relying on blitz-heavy schemes. With a generational talent like Anderson, the Titans could not only improve their ability to stop the run and pressure the quarterback but also make life easier for their secondary, which has struggled in coverage in recent seasons.

3. Wide Receiver: Adding a Star Pass-Catcher

Despite the presence of star running back Derrick Henry, the Titans have struggled to consistently generate a high-powered passing game. The team’s wide receiver corps has been inconsistent, and no clear No. 1 receiver has emerged to complement the offense. With the first overall pick, the Titans could look to select a wide receiver who can immediately become a game-changing presence in the passing attack.

There are several elite wide receiver prospects in this draft class, including Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State and Malik Nabers from LSU. Harrison, in particular, is regarded as one of the top wide receivers in college football, with exceptional route-running ability, hands, and overall athleticism. Nabers is similarly skilled and would provide an explosive, dynamic element to the Titans’ offense. Adding a true No. 1 wide receiver would not only help quarterback Ryan Tannehill but also create additional space for Derrick Henry to operate in the backfield.

A top-tier wide receiver would help the Titans develop a more balanced offense and provide Mac Jones or Tannehill with a go-to weapon who can stretch the field and win contested catches in critical moments. It would give the Titans the vertical threat they need to complement their strong ground game.

4. Offensive Tackle: Protecting the Quarterback

Another potential option for the Titans at the top of the draft is selecting an offensive tackle to shore up the offensive line. While the Titans have made efforts in recent years to bolster the line, they still struggle in pass protection at times. Protecting the quarterback is critical in today’s NFL, and adding an elite tackle would ensure that the franchise quarterback, whether it’s Tannehill or a future draft pick, has the time to operate effectively in the pocket.

The draft class features several top-tier tackles, including Olu Fashanu from Penn State and Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State. Both players possess the physical tools to become anchors on the offensive line, offering both run-blocking and pass-blocking skills that would immediately help Tennessee’s offense.