Titans have one obvious Will Levis replacement to target in NFL Draft following DeAndre Hopkins trade to Chiefs
The Tennessee Titans all but publicly announced that they were throwing in the towel for the 2024 season this week when they traded away DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs. And if that message wasn't clear enough, general manager Ran Carthon immediately followed that up by trading away their best linebacker in Ernest Jones […]
The Tennessee Titans all but publicly announced that they were throwing in the towel for the 2024 season this week when they traded away DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs. And if that message wasn't clear enough, general manager Ran Carthon immediately followed that up by trading away their best linebacker in Ernest Jones IV. Despite this, Titans fans should actually be happy. Why? Ran Carthon and Brian Callahan are clearly making moves to best position the team for the future.
The Will Levis experiment is over. He is clearly not the player that the Tennessee Titans need to build around. Brian Callahan needs a quarterback that he can trust to run his offense who won't constantly turn the ball over to the other team. So, who should Titans fans want their team to select in the 2025 NFL Draft next spring?
There's only one obvious great replacement for Will Levis in the entire 2025 draft class, and it's perhaps not who most fans think it is.
Cameron Ward, QB Miami
The Titans need to draft the one quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft class who has it all. Some quarterbacks have fun physical traits. Others have great stats. And truly great quarterbacks have the "clutch" gene to make plays when it matters most. Cam Ward, QB Miami as all three.
Ward has a rocket arm at 6'2", 223 pounds. He's performed at an elite level in tight games and critical moments all season long for the Hurricanes. He's leading the nation in quarterback rating, yards per play, and total touchdowns per game, easily posting the best profile among all FBS passers. Plus, he makes absurd plays like the one against Louisville featured in ACC Football's post below. There's a ton to be excited about with Cam Ward.
You might be thinking, "Wow, that was a great play, but he can't do that all the time," and you would be wrong. For those who have followed Cam Ward all season long, he's made almost that exact play on multiple occasions. Jordan Reid of ESPN broke down the traits that make this possible in his post below.
This particular play came against Florida in Week 1, but Ward's been creating absurd highlights like this every single week:
Cam Ward's loose, relaxed, playmaking ability combined with his strong arm makes for some incredible plays. In both instances he's able to keep his calm while rolling out of the pocket, resets his feet just enough to get the necessary accuracy on his throw and he drops a dime into the back of the end zone. And he doesn't just succeed outside of play structure either.
When asked to go through his progressions quickly from the pocket, Ward consistently delivers accurate passes at every level of the field. A great example can be found on this post below for a touchdown against Virginia Tech. Cam Ward surveys the field, cycles through to what you can tell is his third read (via the game broadcast) and easily slings the ball into a tight window for the score.
Ward's consistent accuracy, quick decision-making, requisite mobility to make plays with his legs, and physical traits combine to create the one true first round lock at quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft.
There are a handful of other quarterback options in the class that inspire some intrigue, but they all come with major questions.
Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado has made some big plays here and there throughout his career, but has struggled significantly against pressure, making horrific decisions reminiscent of 2024 Will Levis. He also primarily wins on underneath easy passes and completely wide open shots downfield to receivers that are far better than their Big 12 Conference competition.
Carson Beck of Georgia, Quinn Ewers of Texas, and Jalen Milroe of Alabama have flat out played awful in key games this season, committing silly turnovers, taking far too many sacks, or fighting through injuries (again) in Ewers' case.
There's only one quarterback the Titans should be hoping for in next spring's NFL Draft. And if Titans fans want to see their favorite team finally win consistently in the future? That might mean more trading away of players on expiring contracts ahead of the trade deadline and many more losses this season to follow. Things might feel rough this fall, but know that it will all be worth it if it means the Titans can select Cam Ward next spring.
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