ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. and Miami Hurricanes football coach Mario Cristobal were in a war of words on Wednesday over coverage of quarterback Cam Ward.
The Tennessee Titans selected the one-time Heisman Trophy contender with the No. 1 overall pick of the draft last month. It was the easiest selection the Titans could have made, and it arguably went under-covered as Shedeur Sanders’ draft slide began as the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up with the Cleveland Browns to select Travis Hunter with the No. 2 pick.
Kiper faced criticism during the three days of the draft as he harped on the surprise of Sanders’ fall and even had an on-air tiff with Rece Davis once the Browns eventually selected the quarterback in the fifth round.
Cristobal said neither he nor offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson spoke to Kiper about Ward, even though he spoke to a "million people," according to The Action Network.
"Never heard from him," the coach said. "I don’t think I’ve ever talked to him."
Cristobal added that he was not "disappointed" and would only be if Ward was upset. He expressed confidence that Ward just wanted to hear his name called and get to work.
"Mario Cristobal claims he spoke to a million people about Cam Ward, yet the one he didn’t speak to, being me, had Ward ranked higher (6th on my Big Board) than any of the other draft experts. Interesting isn’t it," he wrote on X. "And oh by the way, I didn’t speak to Deion about Shedeur either. I need another Orange Crush after this nonsense."
It was Kiper’s first post on the social media platform since April 23, and it appeared Sanders’ fall still stuck with him.
Ward will likely be the starting quarterback once the Titans’ season begins. Tennessee learned it will take on the Denver Broncos to begin the 2025 season on Sept. 7.
The Tennessee Titans' selection of Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick of the NFL Draft Thursday was not a surprise.
What was a surprise was Warren Moon showing up to Ward’s introductory news conference Friday to give the Titans rookie permission to wear his No. 1 retired jersey number.
Titans' general manager Mike Borgonzi was with Ward at the podium when he told Ward of a special guest.
Moon then entered the room holding a Ward Titans jersey with the No. 1 and handed Ward the jersey.
Moon played 10 seasons with the Houston Oilers, who later became the Titans. The Pro Football Hall of Famer played in the NFL 17 seasons and made the Pro Bowl nine times.
The Titans hope Ward follows Moon to the Hall of Fame.
Miami went 10-3 last season with Ward under center. He completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,313 yards, and he led the ACC with 39 passing touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions.
Will Levis was the Titans' starting quarterback last season, and he and the team struggled.
The Titans went 3-14 in Brian Callahan’s first season as head coach.
Entering the season, the team hoped Levis would take a jump after he started nine games at quarterback in his rookie year and showed some promise.
However, Levis played poorly as the team went 2-10 in his 12 starts. He completed 63.1% of his passes for 2,091 yards and threw 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. As Levis continued to struggle, it became apparent the team would be in the market for a quarterback this offseason.
The obvious is now official – Cam Ward is a Tennessee Titan.
The Titans owned the first overall pick of the NFL Draft, and after apparently fielding calls for it throughout the offseason, they decided to stick with it and take the player who has separated himself from the pack over this process.
Earlier in the offseason, Ward was more so the 1A to Shedeur Sanders’ 1B, but the Sanders love fell quite drastically, while Ward put himself above just about everyone else.
This sure seems like the end of Will Levis’ tenure in Tennessee – Levis, like Sanders, was actually once favored to be the second quarterback taken in 2023, but a rapid fall saw him go in the second round that year, prompting awkwardness as he attended the draft expecting to be a night-one selection.
With Levis’ struggles and the first pick falling into their lap after a 3-14 campaign, it is now Ward’s time to shine in Nashville.
Ward seemed excited about the opportunity while speaking to the media on Wednesday.
"I got a chance to learn more about (the Titans) personally over the last couple of months, and I am excited to hopefully hear my name called first, to go to a good organization like that," Ward said. "They have a great owner, a great GM, great assistant GM, great president. The team there, they have a pretty elite team, in my opinion – they don't get enough credit on paper for what they really are. So, if I am there, I know it will turn out good."
"I think the quarterback there is going to be surrounded by some good weapons," he added, "and I just hope I'm that guy."
Earlier this month, Ward dropped a rather obvious hint that he knew he'd be going to the Titans by listing Titans running backs Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard, as well as wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Treylon Burks, some of the best in the league at their respective positions.
Ward set the record for the most touchdowns thrown in Division I history with 158, beating Case Keenum by three.
Last season with Miami, Ward, who got the Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff conversation until losing to Syracuse to end the season, threw for an FBS-leading 39 touchdowns last year and a career-high 4,313 yards.
He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting and spent his first two seasons at Washington State.
The Tennessee Titans will be on the clock in mere hours and all signs have indicated the team will select quarterback Cam Ward, though nothing will be official until NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell steps up to the podium and announces his name.
Other than the former Miami Hurricanes star going No. 1 to the Titans, the way the rest of the NFL Draft could shake out is unclear. Travis Hunter being taken No. 2 seems like a sure thing for the Cleveland Browns, but the team may also address its quarterback situation and defense.
What about the New York Giants? Could the team go quarterback at No. 3 or decide on top-tier pass-rusher Abdul Carter with that selection? The team has also been rumored to trade back in the first round and possibly trade back into the latter part of the round after their first selection.
There is still a ton to be decided come Thursday night. Here’s what the Fox News Digital Sports staff believes could happen if there are no trades in the first round.
The Titans get their potential franchise quarterback with Ward, who has ascended as the consensus top quarterback pick of 2025, even if he lacks the "generational" luster of prospects past.
What has been mocked numerous times does so one more time here. Blue chip, generational, whatever superlative you’d like to use for an elite prospect with the ability to be a perennial Pro Bowler, that’s Travis Hunter. The Browns need those players, and head coach Kevin Stefanski will find a way to utilize him on both sides of the ball. Welcome to Cleveland, Heisman winner.
The Giants have solidified their quarterback room at least for next season, giving general manager Joe Schoen room to move on from drafting a quarterback with the third overall pick. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter is the next best choice to bolster their defensive front.
Drake Maye showed some positive signs last season. Protecting Maye in year 2 gives the Patriots the best chance to see their young quarterback reach his full potential.
With Liam Coen now running the show in Jacksonville, the former Buccaneers offensive coordinator will look to add some firepower with the No. 5 overall pick in the draft. There might not be a player that will add more immediate firepower and juice to an offense than Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State star running back will give Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence a running back they can trust.
This is prime Shedeur Sanders territory, but based on the latest reports, it suddenly appears to be a reach. So, we will give the Raiders the best available talent and Maxx Crosby’s partner.
When was the last time the Jets had a true playmaker at tight end? Tyler Warren could end up being that guy with the No. 7 pick. New York isn’t exactly deep at the position, and he could end up being a game-changing target for quarterback Justin Fields.
Carolina can round out a strong secondary by plugging in Will Johnson to play opposite of Jaycee Horn. Outside of Travis Hunter, Johnson is considered the top cornerback prospect in this year's draft.
He might have gone past the Giants and Raiders, but the Saints, a team that could definitely use a quarterback now and in the future, don’t let him get out of the top 10. Sanders’ accuracy, scrambling ability and decision-making could be put to the test right away with Derek Carr dealing with a shoulder injury that has the ability to knock him out for the entire season. Thus, the door is very much open for Sanders to start right away in the Big Easy.
Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams becomes the Bears' first defensive player to be selected in the first round since 2018, and with good reason. Williams’ explosive qualities make him the perfect weapon in Dennis Allen’s defense.
Trent Williams isn’t getting any younger. While the left tackle spot probably better suits Banks, the 49ers could plug him in on the right side from day 1 and eventually move him to the left side whenever Williams decides to step away.
All-Pro guard and staple on the offensive line Zack Martin retired this offseason, and he left a gaping hole on the Cowboys offensive line. With the selection of Booker, he can step in and replace Martin and make an immediate impact for the Cowboys. While adding a rookie wide receiver to have alongside CeeDee Lamb was tempting and the flashier pick, the hole Martin left was simply to big to ignore with Booker available.
This is not necessarily a team need, but this is top-10, even top-5, talent falling right in their lap. The offense hardly needs help, so it’s time to go with point-prevention.
The Colts are in need of a game-wrecker on defense. The days of Shaquille Leonard are over and having an edge rusher at the linebacker position would help a lot. That’s where Shemar Stewart comes in. The edge rusher flew up draft boards in the weeks before the draft. He may end up being a steal at No. 14.
The Falcons have slowly been building an ensemble of top-tier offensive players over the last few years, and Matthew Golden could be the last piece to put the unit over the top.
The Cardinals desperately need some pass rush for head coach Jonathan Gannon, a defensive mind, to work with. They did so by adding Josh Sweat in free agency, and they don’t stop here after a couple of their options go earlier in this draft. Green is a versatile player out of Marshall, and Gannon could utilize his speed and power to disrupt the pocket.
The Bengals took care of their offense in the offseason and will use the draft to address their defense: Michigan big man Kenneth Grant is the best choice at No. 17. His size and athleticism guarantee consistent pressure in the backfield.
The "Legion of Boom" days may be long gone, but Starks is a strong prospect and could be a building block as the Seahawks continue to retool their secondary.
At first glance, adding McMillan to a wide receiver room that already has Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan might seem like overkill. But with Godwin coming off a season-ending dislocated ankle injury, and Evans being 31 years old, this a move that ensures the future of the wide receiver room is in good hands.
We see what Bo Nix can do, and Denver has lacked an explosive running game for quite some time. We’ll get them the Tar Heel.
The Steelers will need to figure out its quarterback situation by the time the weekend is over. Let’s start at No. 21 with Jaxson Dart. Barring a trade, Dart seems reasonable at this moment in the draft.
Jim Harbaugh is smiling ear to ear after landing his former Michigan Wolverines tight end, a position that Justin Herbert desperately needs an upgrade at. Loveland is arguably the best pass-catching tight end in this class, and Harbaugh obviously knows what he can do in the blocking game as well. A reunion to aid a potential playoff run.
The Packers don't often take wide receivers in the first round, but with a chance to help Jordan Love reach the next level, Egbuka would be a strong addition to spread out the offense and give Love another solid option.
After giving up nine sacks in the playoffs, the Vikings will call on North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel to boost up their O-line. With the offseason additions of Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, Zabel will fit in nicely at left guard.
Burden’s raw talent is undeniable, but he was deployed in a very specific way at Missouri. While it’s unclear whether his skill set will translate to the NFL, the Texans wide receiver room could benefit from some depth.
The Rams would be absolutely thrilled if Nolen fell to them at No. 26 overall. The addition of Nolen to a defensive line of Braden Fiske, Kobie Turner and 2024 defensive rookie of the year winner Jared Verse would give them a young defensive front that would terrorize opposing offensive linemen for years to come. If Colston Loveland falls to No. 26, however, the Rams may run to the podium to get the pick in.
The Tennessee star adds to a defense that could use some more pass rush. The Ravens have it all on offense, so bolstering the other side of the ball is a must in this draft.
There aren’t many reasons why Membou should fall this much. Detroit is getting a gift here, and it’s an awesome selection for an already stout offense.
The richer could very well get richer. Washington has a good opportunity to add depth to its linebacker corps with the selection of Jihaad Campbell. He may not fall this far down, but if he does, it will be a boon for the Commanders or any other team in need of an elite defender.
Barron played some of the best coverage in college football last season, showing pro-ready instincts. Even if he isn't the fastest player available at this point, Buffalo should be able to get the most out of him as a late first-round steal.
Ohio State lineman Donovan Jackson decided to stick around Columbus for another year, which earned him a national championship and a lot more credibility as a draft prospect. If he’s still on the board with the 31st pick, the Chiefs will look to boost their offensive line with a versatile and powerful guard like Jackson.
Dallas Goedert had a solid 2024 season, but he turned 30 earlier this year. Taylor could inject some explosiveness into the Eagles tight end room. General manager Howie Roseman gets another SEC player.
The Tennessee Titans have made clear their intentions with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, at least when it comes to keeping it or not.
There has been speculation the Titans could trade out of position to kick off the draft in Green Bay this Thursday. However, GM Mike Borgonzi said the team is staying put.
"We’ve come to a consensus," he said. "We’ll pick at No. 1 on Thursday night."
The NFL Network reported Tuesday that the Titans "never opened the door" to trade possibilities. Meanwhile, the Cleveland Browns, who choose second overall, and the New York Giants, who follow them at No. 3, are doing their due diligence by taking calls for potential trades.
With Borgonzi saying it is a "consensus" move to keep the top overall selection, it appears the front office is aligned with where they want to go. And all signs point to a quarterback.
Miami’s Cam Ward has been the pick in virtually every mock draft by experts and fans alike, and it makes sense considering the team’s current quarterback situation. Will Levis, the team’s second-round pick in 2023, has not panned out over the past two seasons, and Tennessee brought in free agents Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle to compete this preseason.
However, neither of the three are strong starting options for a squad that has good offensive weapons in Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard and more, with head coach Brian Callahan leading the way. With better quarterback play, the Titans could compete in the AFC South immediately.
Ward had a tremendous year with the Hurricanes last season after transferring from Washington State. The team went 10-3 under his leadership, completing 67.2% of his passes and leading the ACC with 39 touchdown passes while throwing only seven interceptions.
Ward’s confidence has been through the roof during the pre-draft process, constantly reiterating his belief that he’s the best quarterback in this class. That would be compared to other top options like Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart.
He’s even hinted that he’s going to the Titans, saying during a Fortnite live stream that his favorite players at certain positions throughout the league are current Tennessee stars like Pollard and Treylon Burks. He also talked about his top head coaches, putting Callahan first overall and following it up with the draft order (Browns’ Kevin Stefanski, Giants’ Brian Daboll and so on).
The Titans went 3-14 last season in Callahan’s first year, but they are looking to add a difference maker immediately with the first pick. Ward seems to be the target, but the only certainty is the Titans will submit their card to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who will read that name in Green Bay on Thursday night.
Ward transferred from Washington State to Miami before the 2024 season, and he had a great season in his lone year with the Hurricanes.
Miami went 10-3 last season, and Ward was sensational. He completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,313 yards, and he led the ACC with 39 passing touchdowns while throwing seven interceptions.
Ward has hinted that he will be selected with the top pick in the NFL Draft. While playing Fortnite in a livestream, he mentioned a few Titans’ players as among the best in the league at their position.
Last season, the Titans finished 3-14 in Brian Callahan’s first season as head coach.
Going into the season, the team hoped 2023 second-round pick Will Levis would take a jump after he started nine games at quarterback in his rookie year and showed some promise.
However, Levis played poorly as the team went 2-10 in his 12 starts. He completed 63.1% of his passes for 2,091 yards and threw 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. As Levis continued to struggle, it became apparent that they would be in the market for a quarterback this offseason.
If the Titans do indeed select Ward, they hope he can help engineer a turnaround and become the team’s franchise quarterback.
And it sounds like Ward is confirming that speculation.
While playing Fortnite on a livestream, he mentioned Titans running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears as the best in the league.
He also mentoned his top four receivers: Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Calvin Ridley and Treylon Burks. Burks calls Nashville home.
Earlier in the offseason, it seemed like Tennessee was more than willing to deal the first selection considering the talent atop the board. Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter, the projected No. 2 and 3 picks in our latest mock draft, could easily be No. 1 selections other years.
With Will Levis struggling in his two years with Tennessee and a new front office, it's starting to look like the Titans will go with a player who could become a franchise quarterback.
Ward broke the record for the most touchdown passes in a career in Division I history, surpassing Case Keenum's record in the Pop-Tart Bowl.
Ward led all of Division I with 39 touchdowns, and he finished as an All-American while finishing in fourth place in the Heisman Trophy voting.
The NFL Draft is inching closer and closer and teams have visited some of the best players available in the pool this year.
Last week, Fox News Digital released its first mock draft for the 2025 event. The second edition of the mock draft features some changes within the first 10 picks and a massive surprise when it comes to quarterbacks.
It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the Titans, with a new regime, will start all over. Cam Ward has separated himself from the pack in recent weeks, and all signs point that he will be in Nashville. Sorry, Will Levis.
Early draft projections had Travis Hunter going as high as No. 1. Even if a quarterback needed by the Titans keeps that from happening, Hunter's generational allure can't project to fall any further past No. 2 to the Browns, who have nothing to lose and everything to gain as a franchise from taking a chance on Hunter.
The New York Giants have operated like a team that does not want to take Shedeur Sanders at No. 3 overall. They were in on acquiring Matthew Stafford before he decided to return to Los Angeles. They were interested in Aaron Rodgers before they signed both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. With Hunter off the board, the Giants will take Carter to bolster their defensive front alongside Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
With Hunter and Carter both being selected, the Patriots, needing to revamp their offensive line, get to work quickly with an LSU tackle.
Campbell is someone who slots in immediately as new head coach Mike Vrabel’s starting left tackle. Drake Maye, the team’s rookie quarterback in 2024, was running for his life most of the time, and that just can’t happen if the Pats wish to rebuild properly.
Instead of trading out, they grab a necessary piece that could project to be Maye’s blindside protector for the foreseeable future.
The Jaguars add Graham to their defensive front, giving star pass rusher Travon Walker a running mate along Jacksonville’s defensive front.
Shedeur Sanders and the Raiders have always seemed like the perfect match. The former Colorado quarterback falls to No. 6 in this mock draft, but he gets to have Tom Brady as his owner, Geno Smith as his mentor and Pete Carroll as his head coach.
Is it the sexy pick? No. But with increasing injuries and other issues on their offensive line, the Jets forgo Tyler Warren and give Justin Fields some much-needed protection and the running game a much-needed most.
The Panthers are getting closer, appearing to have a potential franchise quarterback in Bryce Young. They can make their defense more of a sure thing by recreating a dominant defensive line that's anchored the team in previous eras, and Jalon Walker can be a cornerstone of that kind of line.
If Shedeur Sanders fell to them, I also think the Saints would be tempted to take him with the No. 9 pick. But with Sanders in Las Vegas, the Saints pivot to Jaxson Dart instead. With the Dart selection, the Saints are following the Falcons draft last season when they selected Michael Penix Jr. despite having just signed Kirk Cousins. The Saints would let Dart sit for a season and develop will they start Derek Carr for one more season.
With GM Ryan Poles going to work on the offensive line, revamping with free agent additions, he continues the trend of giving quarterback Caleb Williams and new head coach Ben Johnson all that they need to work with on offense.
Warren is the consensus top tight end in this class, and he truly does it all with his ability to make plays with the ball thrown his way while playing well in blocking schemes when he doesn’t.
With Cole Kmet also on the roster, Johnson can have fun with these two tight ends, but Warren is the future at the position.
The 49ers replenish their secondary after suffering some key losses to that position group this offseason.
Ashton Jeanty’s own interest in playing for the Cowboys bubbled up at the beginning of the year. He’s on the board here at No. 12, though he could go higher once the draft begins. Jeanty was a top candidate for the Heisman Trophy last year and could add a power punch to the Cowboys’ offense.
This may be a bit of a reach, but this is a team need for Miami. The Dolphins need to continue to keep Tua Tagovailoa upright, and this is a way to do it.
Arguably the best cornerback in the draft behind Hunter, Will Johnson can be penciled in as a guy who can take care of half the field on deep passing downs. A team like the Colts can't afford to pass on that kind of coverage asset.
With Matthew Judon still a free agent, the Falcons need to add some depth to their pass rush. They started by signing Leonard Floyd in free agency and continue to do so with the selection of Stewart.
A riser on the draft board, Golden clocked a sub-4.3 40-yard dash during his Texas Pro Day, and evaluators are liking him to go higher in the first round than previously predicted.
The Cardinals took Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall selection in 2024, and head coach Jonathan Gannon gets another top playmaker for Kyler Murray to work with. Golden gives Murray a deep-ball threat to go along with the reliable Trey McBride and a second-year Harrison. Anchored with a James Conner-led backfield, the Cardinals’ offense could be primed for a breakout season.
The Bills don’t miss the opportunity to bolster their defensive line by adding a big body like Grant, a player with plenty of upside.
The Seahawks are going to need some extra protection for Sam Darnold at quarterback and Simmons here makes the most sense. He doesn’t move any higher or lower from the first Fox News Digital mock draft last week.
Baker Mayfield has tapped into his No. 1 pick potential since joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and this offense can become that much better by picking the 2024 national champion.
The Broncos can give Bo Nix a balance to the offensive backfield with the addition of Omarion Hampton. As a punishing power back, opposing defenses will have to respect the run in short-down situations with Nix under center, creating plenty of play-action opportunities for Nix.
The Steelers lost left tackle Dan Moore Jr. in free agency to the Titans and need to make sure that whoever is playing quarterback (Aaron Rodgers?) will have time to get the ball out to George Pickens and DK Metcalf. Banks is someone who can come in and start on day 1 for Mike Tomlin and be effective.
Jim Harbaugh is sprinting this pick in as McMillan, considered to be a potential top-10 selection, slips all the way down here to No. 22.
The Chargers hit on Ladd McConkey last year on day 2, and Justin Herbert gets another young threat that provides a different skill set. McMillan could emulate what Herbert did with Keenan Allen, someone who has good technical route-running with the ability to make tough catches and break open a game.
McMillan tallied 3,423 yards with 26 touchdowns in his time at Arizona, and at 6-foot-4, expect Herbert to love looking his way in the red zone.
The Packers buck their trend of passing on wide receivers in the first round. Egbuka’s versatility would certainly be a welcome addition in Green Bay. The former Ohio State standout is also a prolific blocker.
The Vikings took a hit in the secondary when they lost Cam Bynum to the Colts. Jahdae Barron could add some depth with Jeff Okudah and Tavierre Thomas fighting for starting jobs this season.
It goes without question that Houston needs to bolster the offensive line, and the North Dakota State product has experience in each spot. He’s shooting up big boards, understandably so.
Campbell can play standing upright or rush the passer at a high level, deepening the Rams' defensive front that helped get them back to the playoffs last year.
Derrick Harmon slots in at defensive tackle for John Harbaugh and can make an immediate impact on day 1. Harmon had five sacks last season and would bring a pass-rushing ability to the interior of the Ravens’ defensive line. The addition of Harmon would only strengthen a defense that was outstanding down the stretch as they only gave up 17.75 points per game in their last eight regular-season games.
Another player that has slipped here in the first round, Williams’ draft stock was never in doubt for day 1, but it was a matter of when. With Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes needing some more pass rush, it was a no-brainer to run this pick in for the Georgia product.
An ankle injury held Williams back last season, but explosion is a trait experts and fans alike see when he is on the field healthy. With Aidan Hutchinson, who should be fully recovered from his leg fracture that kept him out most of last season, on the other side of the defensive line, Williams could have 1-on-1 opportunities to exploit in his rookie campaign.
Washington's offense performed well with Jayden Daniels under center. So the team elects to address the defensive line following the departure of Jonathan Allen. Williams could pair well with Pro Bowler Daron Payne.
The Bills’ defense fell off a bit during the 2024 season. Once ranked in the top 10 in points and yards allowed, they fell out of that range. Nick Emmanwori is a good start to pick up the pieces at the position. He could have a chance to start over Taylor Rapp or Damar Hamlin.
Kareem Hunt is another year older, and Isiah Pacheco clearly lost his explosiveness after a horrific injury. With Pacheco under contract for just one more year, the Chiefs get the reigning national champ to man their backfield.
The Eagles always seem prepared to replace a player coming to the end of his deal, and they can add that assurance at tight end with Mason Taylor. Just as Dallas Goedert was taken to transition the mantle from Zach Ertz after the Eagles' last Super Bowl, Taylor can fill a similar role with Goedert set to be a free agent in 2026.
The Tennessee Titans may have just revealed to everyone who they are taking with the first overall pick.
Cam Ward has long been considered the favorite to be the top selection, and it seems like that will be the case.
The Titans were scheduled to have a private workout with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who, at one point, was considered ahead of Ward.
But Ward has separated himself in recent weeks from the pack, and there is speculation Sanders is even falling on draft boards. Jaxson Dart is widely considered the third-best QB in the draft.
The Titans and Sanders agreed to cancel that private workout after the team attended his pro day, according to Jim Wyatt of the team's official website.
Wyatt noted the Titans have had eyes on Sanders for a long time, watching four years of game film. The team, Wyatt said, also thought he was "very impressive" at his pro day.
So, maybe they were convinced to take Sanders after his pro day, but considering what's transpired, that doesn't appear to be the case.
Sanders and Travis Hunter, both likely top five picks, played major roles in turning the Buffaloes football program around after transferring there from Jackson State to follow Sanders' father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
With his superstardom on both sides of the ball, Hunter won the Heisman Trophy. Sanders owns the all-time FBS record for completion percentage at 71.8%. He led the Big 12 with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns with a 74% completion percentage.
The speculation is that the New York Giants, who own the third overall pick, are big fans of Sanders. Sanders was given a pair of Giants cleats ahead of the Alamo Bowl when the Giants had the No. 1 pick, but they beat the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17 to drop in the draft.
