To no shock, the Titans have used the highest decide in so as to add their projected franchise quarterback. Cam Ward has come off the board first general.
Early within the predraft course of, the potential for Tennessee buying and selling down was raised. As ordinary, calls got here in for the highest choice, with efforts on that front continuing till hours earlier than the beginning of the draft. New normal supervisor Mike Borgonzi made it clear final month he wouldn’t go up the chance to draft a “generational talent,” one thing many took as a reference to two-way star Travis Hunter. As a substitute of taking the 2024 Heisman winner, although, deciding on Ward has lengthy been seen because the likely outcome.
Tennessee lined up predraft visits with quite a few high prospects (together with fellow quarterback Shedeur Sanders), however the group did loads of homework on Ward — together with a private workout in late March. The Titans didn’t go to these lengths in Sanders’ case, and so they canceled a workout that had been scheduled with Hunter. Since that time, the expectation has remained that Ward would come off the board first. The consensus All-American can be tasked with dealing with QB1 duties upon arrival in Nashville.
A zero-star recruit, Ward’s faculty profession started at Incarnate Phrase earlier than he spent a pair of seasons at Washington State. In 2024, he performed at Miami and loved his most correct marketing campaign thus far. Finishing 67.2% of his passes, Ward amassed over 4,300 passing yards and a 39:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. These figures earned him ACC Participant of the 12 months honors (amongst others) and — coupled along with his athletic upside — made him a logical goal for the highest decide in a QB class not held in the identical regard as these of the latest previous.
Ward, 23 subsequent month, represents the primary quarterback chosen No. 1 general in Titans/Oilers historical past (the franchise used the highest decide on defensive finish John Matuszak in 1973 and working again Earl Campbell in 1978). The post-Ryan Tannehill period beneath heart noticed Will Levis take over beginning duties, however he has not developed as hoped. The thirty third general decide within the 2023 draft has two seasons left on his rookie contract and could be dealt this weekend. Ward, in the meantime, joins an offense which noticed two free-agent investments alongside the O-line this spring and, yesterday, the addition of veteran wideout Tyler Lockett.
Head coach Brian Callahan was employed final offseason in no small half based mostly on his monitor document with growing quarterbacks. Shifting on from Levis (or not less than relegating him to backup duties) would verify Ward’s place as Tennessee’s funding beneath heart for 2025 and past. If the group is to seek out stability on the sidelines and within the entrance workplace transferring ahead, success on the sector can be key. Ward will little doubt be a central determine in that effort.
