Imagine it’s 1995, and the Houston Oilers are packing their bags for Tennessee, leaving behind a legacy of Warren Moon’s run-and-shoot magic. Fast-forward 30 years, and the Titans are holding the NFL’s golden ticket—the No. 1 pick—with new head coach Brian Callahan sitting at the table like a rookie quarterback facing Lawrence Taylor.

The stakes? Higher than a Fourth of July fireworks stand. Nashville’s football future hinges on whether Callahan goes all-in on a gunslinger, a defensive nightmare, or plays it safe. Let’s just say the draft board ain’t for the faint of heart. Especially for the no. 1 pick holder. It’s a problem of plenty, as if picking between Strawberry Cheesecake and Love Potion #31 at a Baskin Robbins.

Per reports from Jordan Schultz, the Titans are hosting Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter and quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) and Cam Ward (Miami) for pre-draft visits. Tennessee’s GM Mike Borgonzi isn’t mincing words: Carter’s a “generational talent,” Sanders has arm strength and anticipation, and Ward’s got “grit and determination” forged from being overlooked.

“Every place he was at, he performed at a high level,” Borgonzi said of Ward. Besides, this isn’t just a rebuild—it’s a reckoning.

Sanders: legacy or liability?

Shedeur Sanders isn’t just a QB—he’s a headline. Son of Deion, he’s got the swagger of a ’90s Cowboys cornerback and the stats (4,726 yards, 42 TDs in 2024) to back it up. But can he survive behind Tennessee’s shaky O-line? Borgonzi praises his anticipation throws, but skeptics whisper about his pocket patience. Sanders himself doesn’t mince words.

“If you ain’t trying to change the franchise or the coaches don’t get me,” Sanders said at the Combine. The question isn’t talent. It’s the Titans‘ tolerance for drama.

Ward: the underdog’s edge

Cam Ward’s story reads like a Springsteen song—under-recruited, undervalued, now eyeing the draft’s top spot. His 4,234 passing yards and 38 TDs at Miami scream “plug-and-play”. In Ward’s own words: “I was able to watch a couple of their [Titans’] games this past season. A lot of their route concepts are similar stuff that we do [at Miami].” But here’s the rub.

Tennessee’s last QB experiment, Will Levis, went 2-10. Brian Callahan needs a Day 1 starter, not a project. Ward’s confidence? Unshaken. “It’s a great staff they have put together. They have unbelievable players. I just hope God puts me in a good situation,” he said. Nashville’s praying he’s right.

Carter: the safe bet?

Abdul Carter is the defensive equivalent of a perfectly grilled cheeseburger—no frills, all satisfaction. With 12.5 sacks and 21 TFLs at Penn State, he’s a one-man wrecking crew. Borgonzi calls him “a very good player,” but in a QB-obsessed league, does “very good” cut it at No. 1?

Remember 2013: The Chiefs took Eric Fisher first overall. Spoiler: They still needed Patrick Mahomes. Carter’s floor is high, but his ceiling? The Titans must decide if safe trumps spectacular. And while Tennessee mulls generational picks, Panthers HC Dave Canales is rebuilding like a man at a flea market.

Panthers’ blueprint: Canales’ shopping list amid Callahan’s QB search

Carolina’s 2024 defense? A dumpster fire. They allowed 179.8 rushing yards per game—worse than the ’08 Lions. “Defensive-front play, first and foremost,” Canales stressed at the combine. Translation: Stop the run or get run over. With only one safety (Demani Richardson) under contract, he added, “And then, offensive weapons. Who is that impact player? Is it a receiver, tight end or a running back? That can really help us.” Think 1995 Cowboys seeking Emmitt Smith 2.0.

The Titans’ choice boils down to philosophy: chase the next Peyton Manning or find your Reggie White. Callahan, whose father Bill coached Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow, knows QB whispers define legacies. But Carter’s upside is seductive.

Meanwhile, you don’t pass on Lawrence Taylor types. And Carolina eyes Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., a DE who idolizes Luke Kuechly. Charlotte gave him the swag he plays with, Pearce said. Fitting—the Panthers need swag and sacks.

In the end, this draft is about belief. Do the Titans trust Ward’s moxie or Sanders’ pedigree? Is Carter too good to ignore? Of course, there’s always the possibility they trade their no. 1 pick for more first-rounders to rebuild across the board. As Teddy Roosevelt once said, “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” But in a league where today’s genius is tomorrow’s punchline, will Brian Callahan’s gamble make Nashville sing… or drown in second guesses?

Hey, Titans fans: Would you rather have the next Mahomes or the next Watt?