Titans GM Didn't Attempt to Trade Will Levis at 2025 NFL Draft After Cam Ward Pick
Andrew Peters
Apr 28, 2025
Though the Tennessee Titans drafted their presumed starting quarterback first overall in the NFL Draft, the team didn't try to move on from last year's starter before picking Cam Ward.
When asked whether there was an attempt to trade Will Levis during the draft, Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said in his press conference Monday that "there was not" (19:00 mark).
Levis, who the Titans drafted in the second round in 2023, has had an underwhelming start to his career. He threw for 1,808 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions with a 58.4 completion percentage across nine starts as a rookie. He showed little improvement in 2024, throwing for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 63.1 completion percentage.
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After the disappointing second season, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Titans were "having conversations with other organizations" but wanted to "make things work with" Levis.
Borgonzi ultimately decided to keep Levis on the roster and expects him to compete for the starting spot under center.
“I think there’s going to be competition in every room and he elevates the competition in that room,” Borgonzi said. “That’s what we’re trying to do here, as we get into training camp, is have the best 90-man roster, best competition in every room, and Will certainly provides that.”
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Along with Levis and Ward, the Titans' quarterback room also features Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.
Ward, who played for Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami, had a fantastic 2024 season with the Hurricanes. The Heisman finalist threw for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, adding 204 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
While many expect the rookie to take over under center, Borgonzi clarified that Tennessee will not choose its starter "right now here in the offseason.”
Cam Ward Given Permission to Wear Titans No. 1 Jersey by Warren Moon After NFL Draft
Joseph Zucker
Apr 25, 2025
No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward will wear Warren Moon's No. 1 jersey after the Hall of Fame quarterback gave him permission to don the number on Friday.
Moon showed up to Ward's introductory press conference, gifting him a custom No. 1 jersey.
Ward then told reporters that he had called Moon "about a month ago" about possibly wearing the number in Nashville.
Ward previously told Bussin' With The Boys' Will Compton and Taylor Lewan on Thursday that the number wasn't "really retired in Tennessee" because Moon didn't suit up for the Tennessee Titans, having spent 10 years with the Houston Oilers before they relocated. That's an important distinction for him:
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The BWTB 2-Minute Drill with the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft
No. 1 is one of eight jerseys retired by the Titans, and they honored Moon in 2006, long after they moved to Nashville.
Moon told Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky earlier this week he was still "thinking" about whether he'd give the team his blessing to unretire his number.
When the Oilers moved to Tennessee, their history followed them. Moon may never have played a down in a Titans uniform, but he's a franchise legend all the same.
Cam Ward Says 'It's Special' to Go No. 1 in 2025 NFL Draft, Reacts to Being Titans QB1
Scott Polacek
Apr 24, 2025
The future starts now for the Tennessee Titans.
Tennessee selected Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday and surely hopes he can be the face of the franchise for years to come.
To hear Ward tell it, his entire journey to this point has been "special."
Ward posted thoughts on social media:
Forever humble because I know what it’s like to be at the bottom…
He also told NFL Network, "I'm ready. That's all we've been dreaming for, to get an opportunity to play in the National Football League. And they blessed me with it. So I'll make sure they'll get everything I've got."
Cam Ward is ready to get to work. Tennessee here he comes. 🔥 @Titans | @JamieErdahl
For as much uncertainty as there was heading into Thursday's first round, Ward going No. 1 felt like a foregone conclusion.
B/R's NFL Scouting Department projected him to go No. 1 overall in its final mock draft and underscored how much of a lock it was by writing, "In the old days, the Tennessee Titans would have made their selection known and likely had Miami quarterback Cam Ward signed before the start of the draft.
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"However, the NFL likes to keep a lid on things in an attempt to create some artificial drama, though everyone seems to know exactly who the pick will be."
It also ranked Ward as the top quarterback and the one with the best arm strength in its final big board of prospects.
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There is a reason Ward to the Titans at No. 1 was seen as a slam dunk. The 2024 ACC Player of the Year completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 204 yards and four scores on the ground as a runner in his final season at Miami.
Ward was a major reason the Hurricanes were in College Football Playoff contention for much of the season and elevated them from 7-6 in 2023 to 10-3 in 2024.
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B/R's NFL Scouting Department praised his overall arm talent and ability to make throws at every level of the field in its scouting report. It also highlighted his quick release and accuracy to go along with mobility that allows him to avoid pass-rushers in the pocket while still making plays downfield.
That sounds like a franchise cornerstone, and he will now look to live up to expectations with the Titans.
While Tennessee has Will Levis, who started 12 games last season, it would be anything but surprising if Ward is the starter in Week 1 of the 2025 campaign. It's not as if Levis was excellent while going 2-10 with 13 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions in those 12 starts, and the Miami product brings a much higher ceiling.
The quicker Ward is inserted into the starting lineup, the quicker the Titans can start building toward their future with their new franchise leader.
Warren Moon Says He'll Consider Letting Cam Ward Wear Retired No. 1 Jersey with Titans
Julia Stumbaugh
Apr 23, 2025
Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon says he will consider letting Cam Ward wear his retired No. 1 jersey if the Tennessee Titans select Ward with the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NFL draft.
“I’m thinking about it,” Moon told Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky.
Moon added that he needs time to think about the decision, according to Kuharsky.
Ward has indicatedmultiple times that he is hoping to keep No. 1 in the NFL, but he has said that he'll switch his number if he can't.
The quarterback wore No. 1 for two seasons at Washington State as well as for his senior season at Miami, where he led the FBS with 39 passing touchdowns and finished the campaign as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
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The Titans retired Moon's No. 1 jersey in 2006 after the quarterback set franchise records with 33,685 passing yards and 196 touchdowns over his 10-year career with the Houston Oilers.
Moon is one of eight players whose jerseys have been retired by the franchise, which most recently hung up No. 27 and No. 9 in honor of Eddie George and Steve McNair in 2019.
Last summer, the New York Giants unretired the late Ray Flaherty's No. 1 jersey to give the number to first-round pick Malik Nabers. The family of Flaherty approved the decision, according to the Giants.
Ward previously wore No. 7 while playing high school football in West Columbia, Texas. Should the Titans draft Ward and Moon keep No. 1 retired, that number is currently available.
Kevin Winston Jr. NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report for Tennessee Titans Safety
Apr 22, 2025
The Tennessee Titans selected Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. with the No. 82 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Winston Jr has good NFL size and athletic ability to be a chess piece in the secondary.
Winston is a tone-setting hitter. He triggers downhill with aggressive intent. He also plays the run well and attacks the ball-carrier like a missile. Winston plays the outside well, either to force the running back wide laterally or to cut back into the teeth of their defense. He displays good range sideline to sideline and downhill toward the line of scrimmage.
Kevin Winston Jr. Highlights
Winston is a physical striker who looks to inflict pain on opposing ball-carriers. He approaches coverage situations similarly. Winston will fight through the intended target's hands violently, raking to strip the ball away and force a pass breakup.
Winston has the size and athleticism to match up against tight ends in the NFL. He has the speed to run with them on seam routes and crossing patterns, reducing the possibility of catches being made.
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Winston needs more playing time to fully develop. Losing most of the 2024 season to a knee injury hurt his development. Winston needs to improve his play recognition. He can be late in identifying run vs. pass and locating the football.
In coverage, Winston’s backpedals display his hip tightness. His transitions out of his backpedal are labored and lack explosiveness. He isn’t a fluid mover going backwards.
Overall, Winston is a talented defensive back with the versatility to wear multiple hats in the secondary. Getting back on the field will help his instincts and mental development. Winston projects as a strong safety in the NFL, but he will align against receivers and tight ends in coverage. He’s a high-ceiling prospect if the game slows down for him.
MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS
HEIGHT: 6'1½"
WEIGHT: 215
HAND: 9½"
ARM: 32½
WINGSPAN: 80⅞"
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POSITIVES
— Range downhill, triggers with good burst and acceleration to close space.
— Coverage versatility with the upside as a potential TE matchup defender.
— Hits like a heat-seeking missile.
NEGATIVES
— Quickly processing and diagnosing information in real-time.
— Lost valuable playing time for development due to a knee injury in 2024.
— Attacks ball-carriers and receivers in space with reckless abandon.
Garnett Hollis Jr. NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report for Tennessee Titans CB
Matt Holder
Apr 22, 2025
The Tennessee Titans added West Virginia CB Garnett Hollis Jr. as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.
Garnett Hollis Jr. is a long and physical cornerback from West Virginia, boasting a 6'0", 203-pound frame that provides the ideal size to contend with bigger receivers and tight ends at the NFL level. A former Northwestern transfer, Hollis uses his length and physicality effectively but is limited by movement inefficiencies that impact his ability to consistently cover faster and more agile receivers.
Garnett Hollis Jr. Highlights
In coverage, Hollis thrives when he can leverage his length and physicality, particularly at the catch point. He does a good job of timing his disruptions and remaining calm with his back to the ball. However, his high pad level and slower change-of-direction skills hinder his ability to stick with receivers on shorter routes, and his limited top-end speed leaves him vulnerable to separation on deeper routes. Hollis flashes solid footwork and the ability to sink his hips for transitions, but these traits are inconsistent, especially when defending quicker, more explosive receivers. In zone coverage, his eye discipline can waver, leading to late reactions to threats in his area. While he competes well, Hollis lacks natural ball-hawking instincts and has not shown a tendency to generate turnovers.
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Hollis is an aggressive and physical presence in the run game. His size and strength allow him to take on blocks effectively, and he holds his ground well against bigger opponents on the edge. While his block destruction skills are above average, his tackling can be inconsistent. This is often due to his limited movement skills, which make it difficult for him to adjust quickly to ball-carriers. Hollis' aggression sometimes leads to missed tackles as he over-commits or comes in too high.
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Garnett Hollis Jr. projects as a developmental prospect who will likely find his role as a physical outside cornerback in zone-heavy schemes. His size, length, and aggression make him an asset against bigger-bodied receivers and in run support, but his movement limitations and inconsistent tackling could cap his ceiling as a backup or rotational player. Hollis will need to refine his technique and improve his consistency to carve out a role at the next level.
MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS
HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 203
HAND: 8"
ARM: 32"
WINGSPAN: 76"
40-YARD DASH: 4.50
SHUTTLE: 4.30
VERTICAL: 36.5"
BROAD: 10'5"
POSITIVES
— Very good length and size with filled out thicker frame. Uses his size and physicality to his advantage when taking on blocks and holds up well against bigger receivers and tight ends.
— Aggressive when contesting through the catch point. Shows good timing and the ability to stay calm with his back to the ball.
— Flashes very good footwork and the ability to sink his hips to transition.
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NEGATIVES
— Lacks the desired movement skills to be an elite cornerback. Often plays with a high pad level, which affects his movement out of breaks. Limited top end speed, allowing receivers to separate downfield.
— Doesn't show ball hawking tendencies. Inconsistent eye discipline in zone coverage. He rallies late to threats in his area.
The Tennessee Titans added Iowa CB Jermari Harris as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.
Harris is a long, instinctual cornerback from Iowa whose physical tools and competitive mindset make him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams seeking a zone-heavy defender. At 6'1" and 189 pounds, Harris has the length and smooth movement skills to compete on the outside, paired with a high football IQ that allows him to anticipate and disrupt plays. While his play style and strengths align best with zone coverage schemes, Harris's ball skills and physicality in the run game add to his overall appeal as a mid-round prospect.
Jermari Harris Highlights
Harris is an aggressive and willing participant in run defense, frequently coming up quickly to support the edge. He uses his physicality effectively to shock and shed blockers, helping to contain outside runs and maintain leverage. As a tackler, Harris throws his body around with intensity, delivering impactful hits at the point of attack. However, his tackling consistency is a concern, particularly in the open field, where he can struggle to break down and secure wrap tackles. His tendency to dive at ball-carriers' legs can result in missed opportunities, highlighting an area for improvement.
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Harris excels in zone coverage, where his vision, awareness, and ability to read the quarterback shine. He uses his instincts to bait throws and jump routes, consistently putting himself in position to make plays on the ball. His lateral movement and controlled footwork in press coverage allow him to stay square and maintain leverage, while his length aids in disrupting receivers' timing at the line of scrimmage. Harris displays very good ball skills, showing the ability to track and attack the ball in the air, both by swiping through catch points and securing interceptions. However, his top-end speed is only adequate, which can leave him vulnerable against faster receivers on deep routes. Additionally, Harris's transitions can be slowed by occasional tightness in his hips, impacting his ability to recover or react to sudden changes in direction.
Jermari Harris projects as a mid-round pick with the potential to develop into a reliable zone cornerback at the next level. His instincts, ball skills, and physicality make him a strong fit for schemes that allow him to keep his eyes on the quarterback and play with leverage. While his limitations in tackling consistency and deep speed may restrict his versatility, Harris' competitive edge and ability to disrupt plays in coverage give him the tools to be a valuable contributor in the right system.
MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS
HEIGHT: 6'1"
WEIGHT: 191
HAND: 9¾”
ARM: 31⅜”
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WINGSPAN: 76"
VERTICAL: 37"
BROAD: 10'0"
POSITIVES
— Long athlete with smooth backpedal and quick feet to get out of breaks. Plays under control showing very good lateral movement in press, keeping his leverage and getting hands on.
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— Instinctive player with good vision and awareness in zone coverage. Does a very good job of baiting the quarterback and jumping the ball in air.
— Good in run game, comes up quickly to support, showing physicality and aggression. Willing tackler who throws his body around, delivering a blow at the point of attack.
— Very good ball skills and timing to swipe through catch points, as well as catching the ball away from his body. Shows timing and ability to judge the ball in the air.
NEGATIVES
— Good but not great top end speed. Plays with good positioning but loses a foot race with faster receivers.
— Limited scheme versatility. Zone defender who excels best with eyes on quarterback and ball.
— Some tightness in space. Average breaking, slower to sink his hips and transition.
— Inconsistent tackling, especially in the open field. Struggles to break down and secure a wrap tackle.
Amid their infatuation with Cam Ward, the Tennessee Titans don't have any interest in trading the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi told reporters the front office has "come to a consensus" and that the team will make the pick at the top of the draft on Thursday night.
Earlier, Tuesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the consensus opinion around the league was that the Titans weren't going to move out of the top spot despite "real" trade interest from other teams.
Rapoport noted one team said the Titans "never opened the door" to really discuss a deal.
This is the least surprising development of draft week. Ward has been the consensus favorite to be Tennessee's pick for most of the predraft process.
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After Ward had his workout as part of Miami's pro day on March 24, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Titans were increasing their asking price for the No. 1 pick.
That asking price was at least three first-round picks or the equivalent value thereof, per Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (h/t Jared Stillman of 102.5 The Game in Nashville).
Per Schefter, the Cleveland Browns (No. 2 pick) and New York Giants (No. 3) made inquiries to the Titans. The Giants were said to be "more persistent" in their efforts, including offering one of their two third-round selections in this draft.
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The Athletic's Jeff Howe added the Browns and Giants attempted to move up with the intent to select Ward, but the belief is Tennessee never gave either team a price in those discussions.
Howe noted the Giants will likely just end up taking one of the other two blue-chip prospects that the Browns pass on, with the expectation being that Abdul Carter will be New York's pick.
One team executive told Howe that Carter is "the best player" in this year's class. Howe also wrote there's also an expectation the Giants will "eventually" select a quarterback in this draft, but most likely not with the third pick.
Borgonzi was publicly still keeping his options open, but there is definitely a sense that Ward has received some assurances he was going to be their pick.
Ward has been dropping some not-so-subtle clues on Twitch while playing Fortnite that he's going to Tennessee.
Cam Ward on his Fortnite stream:
“My top 4 running backs in the league right now? I would say… Tony Pollard, (Tyjae) Spears.”
If this year's quarterback class was as strong as the 2024 group, perhaps the Titans would have been more open to making a move. B/R's NFL scouting department has Ward as the only quarterback among the top 20 overall prospects on its top-250 big board.
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The combination of Ward's talent and lack of other high-upside options at the position makes it easy to understand why the Titans would have very little interest in trading down given how badly they need to find a quarterback.
All that's left is for the Titans to fill out the draft card and send it to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to announce the pick when the draft begins on Thursday.
Oluwafemi Oladejo NFL Draft Scouting Report for Tennessee Titans Edge
Matt Holder
Apr 21, 2025
The Tennessee Titans selected UCLA EDGE Oluwafemi Oladejo with the No. 52 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
After primarily playing as an off-ball linebacker for the majority of his college career, Oluwafemi Oladejo switched to lining up on the edge at the beginning of the 2024 season. That makes him more of a raw talent than a finished product. However, his combination of size, strength and athleticism gives him a high ceiling in the NFL.
Oladejo has impressive speed around the edge to go along with quickness and suddenness to change directions on offensive tackles, testing their ability to redirect. He also shows athleticism when flushing out a Euro-step to set up his pass-rush moves, but his use of hands and bend is still a work in progress.
Oluwafemi Oladejo Highlights
As a run defender, the UCLA product is physical and shows some strength at the point of attack to generate knockback power against base blocks from offensive tackles and when taking on tight ends on the back side of split zone runs. He’s also solid at shedding blocks from tight ends.
However, he plays pretty upright, which can cause him issues when setting the edge against offensive linemen who play with good leverage. That makes him reliant on winning at the point of attack against the run.
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Overall, Oladejo is a ball of clay who could develop into an every-down starter by his second or third NFL season with the right defensive line coach. It helps that he showed growth down the stretch of the 2024 campaign and was a standout at the Senior Bowl.
Schematically, Oladejo is a more natural fit as a standup outside linebacker in odd fronts given his background as an off-ball 'backer. However, he could play as a traditional defensive end, which might help improve his pad-level issue.
MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS
HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 259
HAND: 9¾”
ARM: 33⅜”
WINGSPAN: 80¾”
VERTICAL: 36.5"
BROAD: 10'0"
POSITIVES
— Good size and carries his frame well with little to no bad weight; solid arm length as well.
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— Has good burst/acceleration off the line of scrimmage to win with speed as a pass-rusher and changes speeds well to keep offensive tackles guessing.
— Uses his quickness well to take advantage of oversets from tackles and win inside.
— Flashed a solid cross-chop move that he can win with.
— Can get a decent initial surge when bull-rushing.
— Physical at the point of attack as a run defender. Has some knockback power against base blocks and can reduce cutback lanes against tight ends versus split-zone runs.
— Stays close to the line of scrimmage when unblocked and has the speed to make tackles from the backside of zone run plays.
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NEGATIVES
— New to the position and still pretty raw.
— Use of hands as a pass-rusher remains a big work in progress. Accuracy and timing with his hands are very inconsistent. Also needs to learn how to finish his moves to get clean wins.
— Needs to rush with a plan. Lacks countermoves if he doesn’t win initially.
— Doesn’t have natural bend to turn tight corners and take efficient paths to the quarterback at the top of the rush. Shows some hip and ankle tightness.
— Plays high and could afford to add more lower-body strength to help set the edge when he doesn’t win at the point of attack.
— Below-average awareness when dropping in coverage. Often covers grass instead of adjusting to receivers’ routes.
The Tennessee Titans added University of Miami (FL) WR Xavier Restrepo as an undrafted free agent after the 2025 NFL draft.
Xavier Restrepo is a crafty and savvy route-running, slot-only receiver.
Restrepo excels because of his quickness and suddenness in his short area. He transitions from slot to sudden at the top of his routes. Restrepo runs routes with pace and control. He separates well in the short and intermediate areas of the defense.
Xavier Restrepo Highlights
Restrepo is a high-football IQ target who identifies pre-snap leverage and post-snap coverages well. He is a difficult cover on option routes, where he reads the defender’s leverage and adjusts his route stem/breaks against it.
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Restrepo thrives against zone defenses. He locates the vulnerable spots and settles in. He is effective on run-pass-option concepts as the glance/slant target. Restrepo gives defenses issues on quick passing concepts. If given a free release, he reaches his landmarks and spots on time for his quarterback.
Restrepo’s measurements and length are subpar for an NFL wideout. His lack of size makes it hard for him to detach from long-limbed press corners. He possesses a small catch radius, which limits his ability to win contested catches.
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Restrepo's long speed is average, so he won't win many footraces. He doesn’t pose a vertical threat to defensive backs and will face squatting defenders looking to break downhill from the moment the ball is thrown.
Restrepo projects as a sharp route-running slot receiver. He will bring value to quick NFL passing concepts due to his instincts, quickness and feel for the game. Restrepo should be featured in an offense with RPO tendencies because of his experience and production at Miami.
MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS
HEIGHT: 5'10"
WEIGHT: 209
HAND: 9⅛"
ARM: 29⅜"
WINGSPAN: 71⅛"
40-YARD DASH: 4.83
3-CONE: N/A
SHUTTLE: N/A
VERTICAL: N/A
BROAD: N/A
POSITIVES:
— A natural route-runner with sharp cuts and breaks.
— Good route tempo to keep defenders guessing.
— Plucks the ball away from his frame with strong, sure hands.
— Feisty and willing perimeter play-side run-blocker.
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NEGATIVES
— Quick mover but lacks top-end speed to threaten defenses vertically.
— Limted/short wingspan and catch radius.
— Fending off physical press coverage defenders at the line of scrimmage.
