2025 NFL draft: Titans trade back, land elite DL in latest CBS Sports mock

USA Today

14-02-2025

With Super Bowl LIX in the rearview, all eyes have turned to roster building for the 2025 NFL season. For the Tennessee Titans, it is all about rebuilding their roster and improving on their disappointing 3-14 record.
How the Titans decide to go about this process is still a bit of a mystery. New general manager Mike Borgonzi will bring a different approach to the organization as he looks to build a consistent winner. We will get a lot of answers in the coming months leading up to the draft where Tennessee holds the first pick.
The dead time between the Super Bowl and the scouting combine is also prime time for analysts to put out their latest mock drafts. Some even like to project hypothetical trades.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports did just that in his latest mock, with the Titans trading out of the top spot in a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
In the trade, the Raiders would receive the No. 1 overall pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder (No. 168 overall). The Titans would receive the No. 6 overall, a 2025 second-rounder (No. 37 overall), and a 2025 third-rounder (No. 68), as well as a 2026 first-rounder and a 2026 fourth-round pick.
Of course, this would take the Titans out of the running for the four prospects that have been somewhat linked to the organization since the offseason began, and in this case, go in a totally different direction.
Tennessee Titans – Round 1, Pick 6: DL Mason Graham – Michigan
The new Titans GM Mike Borgonzi had a front-row seat to the havoc that Chris Jones wreaked on a routine basis in Kansas City. He drafts a running mate for Jeffery Simmons up front.
The idea of a trade is not outside the realm of possibility. The Titans' front office has quietly mentioned they are open for business, but this direction may not be the way.
It's an interesting take and the compensation works, but the player selected probably won't resonate with fans. Graham is a good player and arguably the best defensive tackle in this class, but is that their biggest need at that spot with top offensive tackle Will Campbell on the board?
Tennessee got a boost in 2024 with T'Vondre Sweat and he still has room to grow next to Simmons and will only get better while the Titans' offensive line was atrocious. If the Titans were to build in the trenches through the draft, Campbell would be the way to go. Even if they don't take an offensive tackle, wide receiver and edge are bigger needs and there are players available that would meet both value and need.
The good thing is that this is merely an exercise and there is a long way to go before the 2025 NFL draft.