2025 NFL draft: Experts dole out grades for Tennessee Titans

[ASFN Admin]

The 2025 NFL draft concluded on Saturday evening and for the Tennessee Titans, it was a nine-pick haul, a draft that has been themed as tone-setting by the organization.

Over the first two days, the Titans selected three potential starters in wide receiver Cam Ward, Oluwafemi Oladejo, and Kevin Winston Jr.

On Day 3, they focused on the offense, making the majority of their selections and adding some dynamic weapons and depth with players such as wide receiver Chimere Dike, tight end Gunnar Helm, wide receiver Elic Ayomanor, guard Jackson Slater, cornerback Marcus Harris, and running back Kalel Mullings.

Here's how NFL experts and analysts graded the Titans’ full draft haul:

CBS Sports: B-​

Here's what CBS Sports had to say:

Starting with Ward, this is going to be a new-look Titans team that has more juice offensively. I liked Ayomanor much more than Dike, yet the receiver room was essentially barren at the start of this draft. Helm is a dependable receiving tight end option with quality hands and plus YAC skills.

Winston can be the quarterback of the defense once he's healthy -- he'll rarely miss a tackle and has All-Pro caliber athleticism.

Slater is the type of electric athlete worth selecting from the small-school ranks along the offensive line, and Harris was one of three very well-coached, athletic Cal defensive backs from this class. Nothing truly sensational here from the Titans. Beyond Dike and Mullings, nothing that felt like a clear reach, either.

Nate Davis, USA TODAY: B​

Here is what USA TODAY had to say:

13. Tennessee Titans (B)

This haul will rise or fall depending on the success, or lack thereof, realized by No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. And while there’s not a ton of doubt the Titans got this year’s best quarterback – and filled a glaring need in doing so – what’s less clear is how good Ward actually is. After pulling out of the 2024 draft – when he likely would have been no better than the sixth quarterback selected – he truly blossomed at the University of Miami. Whether that success and his alpha personality translate to Nashville is TBD, but rookie GM Mike Borgonzi was confident enough in Ward to resist the significant trade overtures he received. As for the rest of Borgonzi’s first crop? Meh?

Chad Reuter, NFL.com: A​

Here is what Chad Reuter had to say:

Tennessee Titans - A

Analysis:

Ward was always my pick for Tennessee at No. 1 because of his combination of experience, arm strength, mobility and leadership skills. Oladejo's tangibles and intangibles made him a likely pick for the Titans in the second round, and Winston could very well be a Round 3 steal once fully healthy.

The Titans met their need for pass catchers with Dike (size/speed prospect), Ayomanor (Gabe Davis-type receiver) and Helm, who overcame working out with an injury at the NFL Scouting Combine to be picked in the right spot. They also found a reserve north-south back in Mullings. Slater and Harris project to be starters in a year or two.

The Washington Post: B​

Here is what the Washington Post had to say:

Tennessee Titans

New general manager Mike Borgonzi did the proper thing by taking Cam Ward first overall. Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter may be better players, positional considerations aside. But the first rule of NFL roster building is that if you don’t have a franchise quarterback, you must do everything you can to try to get one. Now it’s up to Coach Brian Callahan and his staff to make it work. Borgonzi made other consequential picks, including the second-round selection of pass rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo after trading down and the fourth-round choice of wide receiver Elic Ayomanor. But the success of this class will be judged almost solely on whether Ward becomes the player he was selected to be.

New York Post: B​

Here is what the New York Post had to say:

Key picks: Cam Ward (QB, Miami), Oluwafemi Oladejo (Edge, UCLA), Kevin Winston (S, Penn State), Chimere Dike (WR, Florida), Gunnar Helm (TE, Texas)

Analysis: Ward was the unquestioned No. 1 quarterback in the class. Will they regret taking him over “can’t-miss” prospects Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter? The Titans traded down to land Oladejo then turned the extra pick into Winston, who would’ve gone much higher if not for a torn ACL.

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: B+​

Here is what Mel Kiper Jr. had to say:

The Titans started things off by getting their new quarterback. GM Mike Borgonzi didn't draft Will Levis, and landing the No. 1 pick for the third time in franchise history gave him a prime opportunity to upgrade under center right off the bat. Tennessee's 37.3 team QBR was 31st last season, and it turned the ball over 34 times, tied for the most in the NFL.

Cam Ward can make all the throws from different arm slots and while on the move, and he can dial up the velocity to drive the ball on a rope to receivers. But it's his creativity that Tennessee will really love. Remember, Borgonzi comes to Tennessee from Kansas City, where Patrick Mahomes routinely delivers off-script magic. I'm not saying Ward will be Mahomes -- and I actually had Shedeur Sanders ranked ahead of Ward on my QB board -- but the Titans' offense will definitely benefit from his playmaking ability.

Getting the QB was the easy part. The roster lacked legitimate pass catchers behind Calvin Ridley, even after signing Tyler Lockett this week. It's not for a lack of trying: The Titans had drafted six WRs in the past four drafts. Nothing worked, but the stakes are higher with Ward under center. And because the Titans traded back from No. 35, they had to fish for impact receivers later in the draft. They took Chimere Dike at No. 103, but the pick I really liked at the position is Elic Ayomanor at No. 136. He was 79th on my Big Board. Ayomanor makes contested catches (34 over the past two seasons) and hauls in the deep ball.

On defense, the Oluwafemi Oladejo pick makes a lot of sense after Harold Landry III was a cap casualty during free agency. Tennessee finished with 32 team sacks last season, tied for the third fewest in the NFL. Oladejo -- my No. 42 prospect -- is a versatile defensive lineman who plays with burst and intensity. I love his tape. And then safety Kevin Winston Jr. is worth the midround flier. He's a tough evaluation because he missed most of last season because of an injury, but the value is great. I ranked him 49th, and he hung around until No. 82.

I also think Jackson Slater could develop into the center of the future, and Kalel Mullings is a powerful runner who can slam through the pile. Oh, and Tennessee brought back a friend of Ward, signing receiver Xavier Restrepo as an undrafted free agent. That's basically another good late-round pick.

The Ringer, B+​

Here is what The Ringer had to say:

I like what the Titans did in this draft. They kicked things off by grabbing their franchise quarterback of the future in Cam Ward, a steely playmaker with an aggressive style. Ward brings scintillating traits as a big-play passer, and shows extreme toughness in the pocket—regularly shrugging off pass rushers to keep a play alive and make a throw. I like the potential of the team’s two Day-2 picks as well: UCLA edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo is just scratching the surface of his potential on the edge after mainly playing off the ball earlier in his career. And Penn State safety Kevin Winston is a super rangy, high-intensity defender who flies around the field and arrives at the ball carrier with incredible closing speed. He would’ve gone much higher if he hadn’t missed most of the season to a knee injury. Miami receiver Chimere Dike is a lid-lifting, big-play threat, Texas tight end Gunnar Helm is a reliable intermediate and red-zone target, and Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor has potential to develop into a legit X receiver for this team. This class is obviously anchored by Ward, but I thought the team made smart moves from start to finish.

Fox Sports: B​

Here is what Fox Sports had to say:

Cam Ward wasn't my favorite prospect in this class (he ranked 14th on my final Big Board), but there is no denying his talent, improvement or, frankly, Tennessee's "titanic" need for improved play at quarterback. Ward is a natural playmaker who brings immediate excitement to the franchise. I just wish GM Mike Borgonzi had found more established pass-catchers to aid his adjustment to the NFL.

The Titans did invest multiple 2025 picks on pass-catchers — adding speedster Chimere Dike, soft-handed tight end Gunnar Helm and red-zone specialist Elic Ayomanor — to a roster that already has former first-round picks in Calvin Ridley and Treylon Burks. If Ward continues his ascent, this might be enough. Of the three rookies, I'm highest on Ayomanor (picked No. 136 overall), who wins with body control and strong hands to steal passes above the rim.

I do like the potential of the two defenders selected before the pass-catchers. Edge rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo and safety Kevin Winston Jr. show the kinds of flashes on tape that suggest each could ultimately prove among the very best at their respective positions from this class.

And that is the theme of this Titans draft haul. It is heavy on potential but thin on sure things.

Associated Press: B​

Here is what the Associated Press had to say:

Needed time to be sure they wanted Cam Ward No. 1 overall after exploring options. If he doesn’t pan out, it sets the organization back. Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo (52) and S Kevin Winston Jr. (82) immediately boost the defense. WR Elic Ayomanor (136) and Chimere Dike (103) give Ward more options. RB Kalel Mullings (188) is among a strong Day 3 class.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Experts dole out grades for Tennessee Titans

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