Titans reach in the second round to pair Cam Ward with an old college teammate in recent NFL mock draft
Titans paid Cam Ward with former college teammate in recent NFL mock draft.
NASHVILLE – The stage is set for Cam Ward to become a Tennessee Titan with the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft later this week. But one of the biggest questions remaining is whether or not the Titans will pair Ward with a flashy young wide receiver.
Each of the last five teams to draft the first quarterback in the draft have also made a big splash at wide receiver in the same offseason.
In 2024, the Bears selected Caleb Williams 1st overall and spent the 9th overall pick on Rome Odunze to complete their WR room. In 2023, the Panthers took Bryce Young 1st overall and used their second draft pick (Round 2) on WR Jonathan Mingo. In 2022, Kenny Pickett was the first QB taken at 20th overall by Pittsburgh, who also took WR George Pickens with their next selection. In 2021, the Jaguars drafted Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 overall after paying Christian Kirk $72 million in free agency. In 2020, the Bengals drafted Joe Burrow and teamed him up with Tee Higgins.
Tale as old as time. Teams like pairing young quarterbacks with young wide receivers, developing chemistry between the tandem, and having their contracts on the same timeline.
That's exactly what the Titans are doing in a recent three-round mock draft from CBS Sports. But to my surprise, NFL and Draft analyst Mike Renner predicted Tennessee to really reach just to pair Cam Ward with one of his former college teammates.
Titans select Kyle Williams at No. 35
Kyle Williams WR, Washington State
Kyle Williams is one of the quickest risers in the entire draft class. Initially given a 4th round grade, Williams has been flying up draft boards as the big day gets closer and is now projected by most to land somewhere in Round 2.
On the consensus big board, Williams is ranked as the WR12 and 86th player overall. But in that CBS Sports three-round mock draft, he became a Tennessee Titan with the 35th overall pick.
In the one season Williams played alongside Ward at Washington State (2023), he caught 61 passes and totaled 843 yards and six touchdowns. In 2024, Williams exploded for 1,198 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns.
While some are critical of Williams for his unreliable hands, his ability to separate down the field makes him an attractive home run threat that can be polished into a well-rounded weapon. I think Williams' footwork and route-running ability is better than he gets credit for, and that might ultimately be what has him rising on most draft boards.
Williams' route tree at Washington State was not what I would consider dynamic. It didn't need to be. But as he has gone through the pre-draft process and proven to teams that he has refined footwork to compliment his 4.40 speed.
The Titans hosted Williams for a Top 30 visit, which shows at least a foundational level of interest in him as a prospect. But would 35 be too early to take him?
Given his current rankings and projections, drafting Williams at 35 would feel like a reach just to make Cam Ward happy and cater to him. But maybe the Titans are not comfortable trading down and banking on Williams still being on the board. That was the situation they found themselves in last offseason with DT T'Vondre Sweat.
After the first five wide receivers – Hunter, McMillan, Egbuka, Golden, and Burden – come off the board, it's all about preference for who is next up. I've been a vocal supporter of Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, and Jalen Royals in the past. Maybe that's how the Titans feel about Williams.
Let's not forget that Williams also used to play at UNLV while current Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz was the OC there (2022). Another meaningful Titans connection.
There's no doubt Tennessee will need to make a splash at wide receiver and edge rusher over the next week. But walking the tight rope to not overdraft players at positions of need will be a real challenge. New GM Mike Borgonzi certainly has his work cut out for him.
The 2025 NFL Draft will get underway later this week in Green Bay and we will finally have our answers for how the Titans will support Cam Ward and begin this new era.
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