Titans have ‘short list’ of candidates for No. 1 pick of draft

In fact, Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan isn’t going to tip his crew’s hand at this stage of the method, and new GM Mike Borgonzi lately stated all choices (together with a trade-down) are nonetheless on the desk (by way of Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk). Nonetheless, Callahan confirmed — assuming the Titans retain their No. 1 alternative — the membership shall be selecting one in every of a brief checklist of 4 gamers.

“I believe it’s a brief checklist at No. 1 for positive, it’s all the fellows that I believe are worthy of it, those that everybody talks about on the market, and between Travis [Hunter] and Shedeur [Sanders] and [Ward] and Abdul Carter, I believe these are, that’s the highest of the draft for me,” Callahan lately advised NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero (by way of NFL.com’s Coral Smith). 

Callahan added, “[t]right here’s going to be loads of good ones definitely that come after them, however I believe these at this second are the most effective gamers within the draft and on the prime of it.”

Carter is an elite pass-rushing prospect who has been closely linked to the Browns and their No. 2 general choose in current days. Hunter is a uncommon two-way phenom whom some groups primarily challenge as a cornerback on the skilled stage, with different groups valuing him extra extremely as a large receiver. 

Each Carter and Hunter have lengthy been seen as the highest general abilities within the 2025 class, although the truth that Ward and Sanders play quarterback naturally elevates their inventory fairly a bit.

With the 2025 crop of QBs typically thought of a weak one, Borgonzi’s January feedback indicating he would not pass on a “generational talent” with the primary choose within the draft signaled to many who the Titans — who usually are not only a quarterback away from competition – would eschew a signal-caller on the prime of the draft board and would as an alternative choose Carter or Hunter. 

Ward’s pre-draft ascension and the significance of the quarterback place might have modified the crew’s considering in that regard, although Callahan’s feedback — if taken at face worth, that’s — recommend Carter and Hunter are nonetheless within the combine.

It’s also notable that Callahan named Sanders as one of many 4 gamers worthy of the No. 1 choice. A lot has been made about Sanders’ draft inventory and the likelihood that he may fall out of the primary spherical fully, in addition to the truth that different QB prospects like Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough might have surpassed him on some crew’s boards. 

Callahan’s remarks help the notion that, however the rumors surrounding Sanders’ potential slide, the Colorado product remains an early-first round candidate. Regardless of the Ward-to-Tennessee momentum, the Titans will host Sanders on a personal exercise.

“We’re getting nearer for positive; all the processes are transferring proper alongside,” Callahan stated of his second draft as a head coach. “I might say we now have a fairly good really feel for what path we’re headed by early April right here, and you set the ultimate touches on it and tie the bow over it by the point you get to the draft.”