2025 NFL draft: Tennessee takes Cam Ward in Titans Wire seven-round mock v.4

USA Today

27-03-2025

2025 NFL draft: Tennessee takes Cam Ward in Titans Wire seven-round mock v.4
The NFL landscape has changed since the last Titans Wire mock. With the NFL combine in the books and free agency underway, it is becoming a bit easier to see how this draft puzzle will come together.
Even after addressing the offensive line and adding depth to the defense, the Titans still have a ton of needs. With so many questions about the strength of the class, it may be better for the Titans to trade back and increase their draft capital without a third-round selection. But for this exercise, there will be no trades.
In this post-free agency mock draft, we will simulate what the draft could look like with Cam Ward being the likely top pick at No. 1 overall.
For this exercise, we used the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator and left all settings on default. There were no trades; we only controlled the Tennessee Titans for all seven rounds.
Here's how things would play out by taking Ward at No. 1:
Round 1, Pick 1: Miami QB Cam Ward
Cam Ward is an upgrade over Will Levis. While there is no doubt he has the ability to be a tremendous quarterback in this league, the question is how he fits into head coach Brian Callahan's system. Ward has the potential to create explosive plays, but like Levis, there are risks with his playing style. He has shown gradual improvement throughout his career and could develop into a sensational NFL quarterback.
The Titans sent a large contingent to his pro day, and according to all reports, they came away extremely impressed. Unless a team blows them away, Ward will likely be the pick.
Round 2, Pick 35: Stanford WR Elic Ayomanor
The Titans go with Elic Ayomanor, who should instantly upgrade their receiving corps. He is a complete wide receiver with the size, speed, and overall skill set that would be a perfect complement to Calvin Ridley. A big receiver, he has enough speed to threaten teams deep while being a constant red zone threat. Ayomanor may have to work on his drops, but he comes into the NFL ready and is one of the easier players to project.
The Titans could have gone edge at this juncture, but right now the wide receiver position lacks depth. With Nick Westbrook-Ikhine leaving for the Miami Dolphins, Tennessee only has veteran free agent acquisition Van Jefferson opposite Calvin Ridley.
Not having a third-round selection really hurts, making pick 35 extremely important to the success of this class. The Titans could go a lot of different directions, but Ayomanor provides solid value.
Round 4, Pick 101: Central Arkansas EDGE David Walker
Walker is a small-school prospect who could bring some explosion to the Titans' edge group. He offers a combination of power and understanding to hold up the edge against the run and a pass rush arsenal that allows him to get to the quarterback. He may need some time to fully develop, but he has the versatility and upside to step in and help bolster a unit that lacked explosiveness in 2024.
Round 4, Pick 118: Oregon DL Jamaree Caldwell
Caldwell brings tremendous size, surprising quickness and versatility to the Titans' defensive line and could be a solid rotational piece starting day one. Predominately a run stuffer, he has experience at multiple positions across the line and has shown some unrefined pass rush skills.
He is an inconsistent tackler, but he has shown the ability to disrupt blocking schemes and be a force against the run.
With T'Vondre Sweat in the middle of the defensive front, a player like Caldwell would allow the big men to stay fresh and keep teams honest against the Titans' defense.
Round 5, Pick 141: Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten
Tuten may not be the complete change of pace that head coach Brian Callahan mentioned, but he is an electric runner with a unique mix of track speed and between-the-tackles toughness that can add another dimension to an offense. Plus, his experience as a kick returner could pay dividends. He might not be the biggest back, and does need some seasoning, but he has the potential to develop into a dynamic offensive threat and could be a Day 3 steal.
Tatum may seem too similar to the backfield to Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, but considering Spears' health concerns with multiple concussions in 2024, taking a chance on an explosive playmaker could be worth the pick.
Round 5, Pick 167: Ohio State C Seth McLaughlin
McLaughlin is coming off an Achilles injury, so this might be a touch high for him without seeing his medicals. If those check out, this is a solid pick-up for the Titans' offensive line moving into the future. Lloyd Cushenberry is coming off an Achilles injury of his own and underperformed in 2024. McLaughlin, when healthy, is a cerebral pivot with enough strength and athleticism to anchor an offensive line. An experienced center at two major programs (Alabama and Ohio State), he was the 2024 Rimington Trophy winner as the best center in the NCAA.
There are health concerns, which will be a significant hurdle heading into the NFL draft, and he lacks prototypical arm length, but he could prove to be a tremendous value on Day 3.
Round 6, Pick 178: Minnesota LB Cody Lindenberg
The Titans have rebuilt their inside linebacker corps this offseason and could look to add another player to the new-look group. Lindenberg fits the bill as a developmental three-down prospect who offers immediate two-down run-stuffing ability and special teams value.
He does have some injury history and will need to pass a medical, but if his medical is good, he is a tremendous value at this stage of the draft.
Round 6, Pick 188: LSU OT Emery Jones Jr.
The Titans round out their draft class with a developmental tackle prospect that may offer some flexibility inside. Jones is a dominant run blocker who plays with a mean streak. Unfortunately, he struggles in space on the edge and could struggle early in his career on the outside at tackle.
The Titans added Dan Moore and already have JC Latham, but by adding Jones, they would have a prospect with all the tools teams look for at the tackle position and starter upside.