The Tennessee Titans hold the golden ticket—the top draft pick. And the burning question for their fanbase is: Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders under center? They’re undeniably in the market for a new quarterback, but with veterans Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle already on the roster, where do these highly touted prospects fit in?

After a brutal 3-14 season in 2024, the Titans need a game-changer, not just another body. But here’s where it gets spicy: whispers suggest Deion Sanders wasn’t thrilled with the idea of his son playing second fiddle to Cam Ward in Tennessee’s plans. Could this behind-the-scenes friction impact Shedeur’s draft stock?

Is Cam Ward in the lead for Tennessee’s QB1?

Colorado’s Pro Day turned into an NFL spectacle, with all 32 teams flocking to see Deion Sanders’ prized players. The Titans were among them, reportedly impressed by Shedeur Sanders’ deep ball accuracy. But then came the head-scratcher: Shedeur and the Titans mutually agreed to call off their private workout. The reason? Tennessee had already held a private session with Cam Ward, whom many see as the frontrunner for their top pick. So, what’s the real story behind Sanders’ apparent reluctance?

Word on the street is that the Titans felt they’d seen enough to gauge Shedeur Sanders’ fit with their team. Titans GM Mike Borgonzi told Jim Wyatt, “Shedeur threw the ball well, and we got to see him out there with Travis.” He further elaborated, “It was good to see Shedeur go through the whole workout and the two-minute drill after. It just confirms a lot of stuff you saw on tape—he can drive the deep ball; you saw that here today.” Indeed, Shedeur Sanders showcased his precision and arm strength at his Pro Day, completing an impressive 58 of 63 passes. But here’s where the plot thickens….

The “mutual” decision to cancel that workout might be pure smoke and mirrors. DJ BlessOne, host of IsmokeHiphop Live, suggests Deion Sanders’ real motive was to avoid a situation where his son felt like a Plan B. As DJ BlessOne put it, “There is no point to privately work out for a team who has moderate interest in you while your friend is the one they’re really eyeing. You’re almost like the third wheel on a date. And we’re playing eliminate right now. Some players choose not to play that way with their careers.” The Cam vs. Shedeur debate is a hot topic among NFL enthusiasts, with oddsmakers heavily favoring Ward as the potential first overall pick with staggering (-20000) odds.

If the Titans have already made up their minds on Ward, what’s the point of Shedeur Sanders going through a private workout, potentially putting himself in an uncomfortable position? That’s exactly DJ BlessOne’s point: “Basically, to put it in layman’s terms, you already selected your eye candy of the day. Why should I, a top quarterback, acquiesce to your private workout decisions only to be mocked, only to be picked apart by so-called executives who claim they know me or that I’m not the proper character for the position?” Shedeur has already faced scrutiny with “arrogant” and “brash” labels potentially impacting his draft stock, and a negative workout could only amplify that.

While Cam Ward is undoubtedly a talented player, leading Miami Hurricanes to a 10-3 season, overlooking Shedeur Sanders might be a gamble. Comparing the two, DJ BlessOne offers an interesting perspective: “And when we look at Shedeur, I don’t look at him the same way I look at a Cam Ward—the nice luxury vehicle, the exotic vehicle. But when I look at Shedeur, I look at the traditional quarterback that you need when the times get tough.” Despite being sacked a whopping 42 times last season, Shedeur still managed an impressive 74% completion rate, showcasing his potential if given the right support.

Shedeur Sanders’ sliding draft stock

What began as some playful back-and-forth between Ward and Shedeur—the whole ‘generational talent’ versus ‘legendary’ talk—has gotten a bit more complicated. Once projected as a top-five pick, the former Colorado quarterback is reportedly slipping down draft boards. And while Deion Sanders publicly stated he’d be cool with any team drafting Shedeur, the behind-the-scenes story seems to be a different ballgame altogether.

ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, who has a close relationship with Deion Sanders, recently made a bold statement on First Take: “I hope he doesn’t get picked by the first three selections. I hope not. And I think his camp would tell you the same. There are other teams they want him to go to.” This isn’t just speculation; it’s insight from someone close to the situation.

Riddick further elaborated, “In some respects, there are other teams I hope he goes to, which I think would be good for him. I feel that way. I think if he goes to a place like New Orleans, or a place like Pittsburgh or Las Vegas, I think those would be really good for him.”

Recent reports suggest a significant shift in the quarterback draft landscape. Cam Ward is more likely to go first overall to the Titans, potentially pushing Sanders down the board. Meanwhile, Travis Hunter might land with the Browns and Abdul Carter with the Giants. This scenario could see Sanders avoid those unwanted early picks, with the Raiders (pick 6), Saints (pick 9), and Steelers (pick 21) emerging as viable destinations—a potential outcome Riddick’s comments strongly hint at.

Make no mistake, Shedeur Sanders isn’t passively waiting for his name to be called. This appears to be a calculated move, a high-stakes game where he’s leveraging his public image and behind-the-scenes influence to shape his NFL future. The draft just got a whole lot more interesting.