The Tennessee Titans are officially turning to a new chapter in franchise history at the quarterback position after the team selected Miami signal-caller Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night.
While this year's draft class wasn't considered very good for quarterbacks, Ward was widely considered the best of the bunch and it was long anticipated that the Titans would take him with the top pick.
Ward checks all the boxes for what teams are looking for in a franchise quarterback. He has impressive arm talent in all aspects and thrives from the pocket, but he also has elite athleticism that allows him to extend plays and gain yards with his legs. Ward truly has all the makings of a star at the next level.
In the wake of the Titans taking Ward, draft experts from different media outlets are weighing in on just how good or bad the selection is. Check out some of the early grades Tennessee is receiving for their selection of Ward.
Titans NFL draft grades for Cam Ward
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: A
Iyer: "The Titans got sold on Ward's strong arm and athleticism giving them the complete package they needed to be their best long-term franchise QB since the late Steve McNair. Ward passed all the pre-draft tests and can thrive soon with some added support under offensive-minded Brian Callahan."
Prisco: "Taking Ward at the top and passing on a generational talent like Travis Hunter is risky in my book. Ward is good, not great. They could have waited until next year to take their quarterback."
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: B+
Middlehurst-Schwartz: "No shenanigans to start off the night. Though president of football operations Chad Brinker briefly had people wondering whether the Titans would target Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter after saying in January that the team wouldn't pass on a "generational talent," resolving the untenable outlook at quarterback took priority. While it'd certainly be a stretch to describe Ward as "generational" prospect – and maybe Tennessee didn't view Hunter or Carter at that level, either – he gives the organization new life and a chance to move on from the many missteps of Brian Callahan's first year at the helm. Now the pressure is on the coach to ensure the dynamic playmaker strikes a balance between attacking downfield and being willing to take what the defense gives him, which he too often eschewed throughout his college career. But with savvy and creativity both inside and out of the pocket, Ward could return the revitalized Titans to relevance in the AFC South in short order."
Borquez: "Since February, we've known that the Titans would select Ward with the first pick. Tennessee experimented with Will Levis last season, but it did not pan out. Ward needs to work on his decision-making, but he has the desired tools to be the Titans' franchise quarterback. He possesses the mentality, arm talent, mobility, and precise accuracy to deliver the football to all levels of the field."
MORE 2025 NFL DRAFT: NFL draft trades tracker | SN's 7-round mock | Top 250 big board | Expert mock draft roundup