The 2025 NFL draft is officially closed, and the Tennessee Titans made some exciting moves and picks throughout the draft. Starting with selecting Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the number one overall pick and ending the draft with nine total picks instead of eight made for a winning combination. New general manager Mike Borgonzi showcased his drafting skills over the three-day event, and the Titans appear to be a better team for it.
It’s time to dive into each pick the Titans made in this year’s draft and assign each selection a grade. So, without further ado, let’s start at the top.
Round 1, No. 1: Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Grade: A
Ward was the obvious number one choice regardless of which team made the pick. The Titans ultimately decided not to trade it and to keep Ward for themselves, which instantly improves the quarterback room. Current starting quarterback Will Levis was previously made aware that he’d have to fight for his job this fall, and Ward is going to give Levis a run for his money.
Ward has improved his game, as well as the players around him, at every stop he made on his journey to the NFL. He’s a zero-star recruit who worked his way to where he is and still carries a chip on his shoulder. He’s accurate, he can extend plays with his legs, and he can throw from multiple angles to complete passes. It wouldn’t be a shock if he earned the starting job this fall.
Round 2, No. 52: Oluwafemi Oladejo, EDGE, UCLA
Grade: A
The Titans desperately needed an edge rusher in this draft, especially after cutting Harold Landry III, and Oladejo is a perfect addition. Initially starting as a linebacker, Oladejo moved to the edge in 2024, so he’s still very raw. Dennard Wilson will have an opportunity to continue to develop Oladejo into a true edge rusher who already has a solid foundation to build on. He possesses the speed, agility, and athleticism to be an elite defender in the NFL.
Round 3, No. 82: Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State
Grade: A
This pick was tough to grade. Winston missed nearly all of 2024 with a knee injury, so while he posted a 61.2 PFF grade in 2024, two years ago his PFF grade was 89.3 because he missed zero tackles. He has a high football IQ and can read plays quickly to angle his run appropriately, and his size, speed, and agility allow him to cover tight ends. Winston is practically a steal here because of his upside and potential, and the only reason he dropped is because of his injury. Once he fully heals, he’s going to be an All-Pro safety in the NFL.
Round 4, No. 103: Chimere Dike, WR, Florida
Grade: A
Chimere Dike is a speed option who can stretch the field alongside Calvin Ridley. With the recent signing of Tyler Lockett, the Titans have solid veteran leadership in their wide receivers room and a ton of room for improvement. Dike posted a 4.34 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, but he also averaged over 18 yards per catch last year at Florida. He largely ran deep crossing routes in college, but he has the tools to develop as an effective route-runner who can make an impact at each level of the field.
Round 4, No. 120: Gunnar Helm, TE, Texas
Grade: A
Borgonzi didn’t just draft a quarterback to build around; he started the building process in this draft. Helm is a capable tight end who has solid hands and knows how to use his size and speed to his advantage. He broke Texas’s single-season record for receptions by a tight end in 2024. He doesn’t shy away from contact and can shed tacklers for extra yards after the catch. He will provide Cam Ward with an extra target on the field and also aid in blocking for the rookie.
Round 4, No. 136: Elic Ayomanor, WR, Stanford
Grade: B
A standout at Stanford, Ayomanor is a strong athlete who can break tackles after the catch and help stretch the field when needed. He has solid vision to adjust routes and check back to the quarterback for alternate options. However, he struggles with drops, losing 15 receptions over the last two seasons due to dropping the ball, and that is concerning. But, hitting a locker room with the likes of Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett, who have both had good NFL careers, will help him learn how to avoid those drops in the future.
Round 5, No. 167: Jackson Slater, G, Sacramento State
Grade: A
Mel Kiper believes Slater can develop into a solid center down the road. However, he started 42 games at left guard and two at left tackle for Sacramento State. He tied for the second-most reps on the bench at the NFL Combine, and knows how to use his size to his advantage. He can do whatever is asked of him, on any type of play. He has a solid foundation the Titans can build on, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him fight with Peter Skoronski for the starting spot at some point.
Round 6, No. 183: Marcus Harris, CB, UCLA
Grade: B
The Titans needed to add depth to the secondary this year, especially with the status of L’Jarius Sneed in question due to his pending legal issues. Harris is a developmental pick, though, designed to sit behind other players this year to learn the NFL game before hitting the field in a game. Obviously, should the circumstances arise, he needs to be read to hit the field in 2025, but the Titans hope to have the time to develop him first. Last year, he caught two interceptions and forced eight incompletions, and his potential is visible on tape.
Round 6, No. 188: Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan
Grade: A
Last season, Tony Pollard carried the load for the Titans. Tyjae Spears showed up, too, until he was injured. Beyond those two, the Titans have Julius Chestnut and Jabari Small, who are used more on special teams than on offense. Mullings wasn’t the starter at Michigan, but he led the team with 948 rushing yards in 2024, recording 12 touchdowns as well. Mullings also appeared as a return man on special teams plays for the Wolverines, and in 2022, he completed a pass for 15 yards. The Titans needed to add another running back to their roster who is capable of getting down the field in the event that Pollard and/or Spears are injured, and this was a solid addition.
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