Cam Ward’s NFL draft journey is turning into a real Cinderella story. He faced doubters and critics, especially after the Pop-Tarts Bowl exit, but now he’s the man to beat, a -140 favorite for the No. 1 pick. He’s left “generational talents” like Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter in the dust, and even Shedeur Sanders couldn’t keep pace. And here’s the catch: the Tennessee Titans currently hold that No. 1 pick, but a $6.9 billion franchise is lurking, ready to pounce.

We all know the Titans face a pivotal decision with the first pick in the upcoming April draft, and everyone is watching to see who they choose. Although team president Chad Brinker is not the decision-maker, new GM Mike Borgonzi has the ultimate authority. But Brinker did drop one major hint about the draft selection—“We won’t pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL draft.” Now here is where it gets interesting. The “generational player” could be anyone, right? That’s the Titans’ apparent strategy.

Even Todd McShay points this out, saying, “If there is a wishlist for Borgonzi in Tennessee….the wish list, from my understanding, would be to trade out of this number one pick. And the reason why you’re hearing from Pacman Jones that it’s absolutely going to be Travis Hunter at number one, the reason you’re hearing from Tennessee leadership that ‘we’re not going to pass on a generational pick.'” Former Titans players, like their former CB Pacman Jones, are clearly rooting for Travis Hunter and are pretty confident he’ll be the No. 1 pick, landing with the Titans. But the entire scenario is quite enticing. “Yeah, we’ll stay here and take Travis. Or maybe the generational talent is Abdul Carter. Or maybe the generational talent is Cam Ward. We’re not telling you who we think the generational talent is,” Todd said. Plus, is it really a sensible decision to replace Will Levis?

The NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah does not consider quarterback to be the top priority for the Titans. With the first overall pick, Tennessee has several options: Cam Ward, Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, or a trade. Jeremiah, however, advises against drafting a QB simply to fill a need. He argues they should be targeting a true game-changer, someone who can actually compete with Patrick Mahomes. He questions whether simply being better than their current QB is the right benchmark. As he says, “You can make the case ‘OK, he’s better than what we have. But is that the marker?” Jeremiah points out that some teams have found franchise quarterbacks by waiting rather than reaching too early.

Notably, the Bears, Commanders, Patriots, and Vikings all passed on Levis in 2023, only to land Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and J.J. McCarthy in 2024. The Texans skipped on Kenny Pickett in 2022 and got C.J. Stroud in 2023. The Jaguars didn’t reach for Jordan Love in 2020 and snagged Trevor Lawrence in 2021. Even the Bills’ decision not to draft Mahomes worked out, as they landed Josh Allen the following year.

Jeremiah grades Cam Ward lower than Williams, Daniels, Maye, and McCarthy, but higher than Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. His point? There’s plenty of precedent for the Titans finding a QB later if they pass on one this year. He suggests Abdul Carter as a strong pick, believing he could make their defensive line elite. He also sees Travis Hunter as a comparable option. And with another team eyeing Cam Ward, the Titans’ No. 1 pick is looking a bit uncertain.

$6.9 Billion franchise eyeing Cam Ward

Well, Cam Ward’s next destination is the burning question on everyone’s minds, especially with the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon. The spotlight is firmly on the Miami Hurricanes’ standout player. Although Vegas odds-makers still favor him as the top overall pick, competition from talented players like Abdul Carter, Travis Hunter, and Shedeur Sanders means nothing is certain yet.

Even if Ward secures the top spot, it’s unclear if he will join the Titans, who currently hold the first pick. Rumors of potential trades are gaining momentum, with Tennessee possibly looking to trade down, giving teams like the New York Jets, in need of a quarterback, a chance to make a move. As Harrison Glaser hits X, saying, “There are rumors that the #Jets have reached out to the Titans & are interested in trading up to 1st overall to get Cam Ward.” That’s not surprising knowing the Jets quarterback situation.

For the $6.9 billion valued Jets, who are seeking to recover from the fallout of the failed Aaron Rodgers trade, selecting Ward could be a game-changing decision. With a strong defense capable of reaching the playoffs, the New York Jets cannot afford to endure another season of offensive struggles. Staying put at the seventh spot in the draft may mean missing out on their future franchise quarterback.

But if the Jets don’t show serious improvement, their crosstown rivals might. The Giants’ Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll are on shaky ground, and owner John Mara is known for his short fuse. With only Tommy DeVito currently in their QB room, the Giants might need to make a bold move. Cam Ward could be their Hail Mary to salvage a sinking ship. So, will it be the Jets or the Giants making a play for Ward?