Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders Decision, Adding Defense in 2nd Round & No QB at 1

Episode Date: January 19, 2025

The Tennessee Titans will be face with a choice if they go quarterback with the first pick in the draft. Do they take Cam Ward or Sheduer Sanders? That is the debate we will have all offseason long, but as of now, Tyler is leaning to Ward. The draft is more than just one pick though and with the Titans second rounder they need to find a fantastic pairing regardless of what they do at #1. Finally, what if the Titans don't go quarterback with the first pick? We see a logical path and an illogical one on today's MOCK DRAFT MONDAY.

If the Tennessee Titans do take a quarterback, I'll tell you why I'm leaning Cam Ward on today's edition of Locked on Titans. You are Locked on Titans, your daily Tennessee Titans podcast, part of the Locked on-E network your team to win $50 instantly after you play your first $5. On today's episode, it is our first mock draft Monday of the all season. I have five mock drafts with five different results that I want to go over with you guys. And of course, we tackle the toughest question of the all season.

Should the Tennessee Titans draft a quarterback? And if they do, who should it be? Also, we got some wild mock drafts that don't include a quarterback that I want to talk about at the end of the show. Before we get into all of it, do want to thank you for making the Locked on Titans podcast your first listen each and every day. Remember, Monday through Friday, Tennessee Titans content all year round, always for free.

You're not going to beat that anywhere else. Make sure that you get subscribed. Stay subscribed. It's your team every day. And speaking of every day, shout out to my everydayers out there tuning in Monday through Friday. Couldn't do it without you guys. If you are an everydayer, you need to be one because this time

of year, it's incredibly busy. There's news all the time. And I'm going to keep you up to date and as informed as a Tennessee Titans fan could be with Monday through Friday content, bonus episodes as well. We got free agency around the corner, a lot of roster decisions, the draft of course, and speaking of the draft, let's dive in to our first mock draft Monday of the year. But of course, with this first mock draft Monday, we have to look at the question of which quarterback the Tennessee Titans should take. Which quarterback do you want the Tennessee Titans to take? Because here's the reality. My opinion continues to be the same. I would prefer a trade back and drafting Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter. That would be my preference. A trade back and then to draft one of those two players. That would be my number one option on

the board for the Titans. But as I continue to say, if they feel they want to take one of these quarterbacks, if Mike Borganzi, the new Titans general manager, if Chadinker of Brian Callahan, if all of them are on board with one of the quarterbacks, then I'm fine with taking a quarterback as well. Is it my preference? No, but am I going to be angry if the Titans take a quarterback? Absolutely not. A quarterback can change the franchise. If you hit right, do I think either of these quarterbacks are good enough to be that guy? I'm not quite certain. I'm skeptical, but Hey, the possibility of it being true. The possibility of the quarterback being a game changer makes me say, all right.

Well, I'm on board with that. If that's what they want to do, even if it's not my number one preference. So with that being said for me, tell me down in the comments, let me know on Twitter at Tic Tac Titans on Instagram Instagram at Locked on Titans, on Facebook at Locked on Titans and on Tic Toc at Tic Toc Titans. Which quarterback would you prefer now? I don't want to hear answers of, I don't want one of the quarterbacks. If the Titans are taking a quarterback and we knew for 100% positive that the Titans were taking a quarterback, which quarterback would you prefer? That's the question. Defense, trade back.

None of that's on the table. They're taking a quarterback. Number one, which would, which would you prefer? They curious to hear what you guys have to say, but for me, it's cam warden. For me, it's cam warden in the first mock draft that we look at here from Fox sports, that's exactly what the Tennessee Titans do. It comes for Jason McIntyre. He says quote he talking about Cam Ward the quarterback out of Miami. He turns 23 in May has had 57 college starts.

I expect the Titans to be much improved with him under center next year. Okay. All right. Obviously, Shider Sanders is on the board. He goes number two to the Cleveland Browns. the obviously Shider Sanders is on the board. He goes number two to the Cleveland Browns. Abdul Carter goes number three to the

New York Giants. Will Campbell number four to the Patriots. Travis Hunter number five to the Jacksonville Jaguars. So that's a very likely outcome. Again, the Tennessee Titans very well could be looking at Cam Ward. Now we go to Pro Football Network for a second

mock draft here. I think that the Tennessee Titans taking sure Sanders says the Titans are in an interesting spot. Brian Callahan clearly needs a new name under center for his offense. His relationship with Will Levis is tumultuous at best, and he should have more than enough security to have Sanders develop for a year or two. I don't know if I agree that Will Levis's relationship is tumultuous or that Brian Callahan should have the security to develop Sanders for a year or two. I don't think I agree with either of those, but nonetheless, Sanders isn't a finished product. He's the most accurate quarterback in the class by a significant margin. He has to work within an NFL timeline considering he survived poor protection in college throughout his career.

His physical ceiling is lower than Cam Moller's, but he's a great player. He's a significant margin. He has to work within an NFL timeline considering he survived poor protection in college throughout his career. His physical ceiling is lower than cam wards, but the same clear frustrations with Callahan, uh, same clear frustrations Callahan has with Levis will be present with ward who by any definition is an old school gunslinger. And you know what? I agree with that. We're going to debate these two quarterbacks at nauseam throughout

the all season leading up to the draft and I am starting my scouting process like the all 22 film not just watching them play on Saturdays, but diving into the tape to get a clear read of these quarterbacks, not just from what the scouting report say or what I have thought of while watching them play on Saturdays, but truly going through the all 22 tape to get an idea of these quarterbacks. And we're going to discuss that, but immediately right on its face. The reason that I lean cam ward is because there's way more high upside with cam ward.

He's got a way better arm, way more velocity arm book accuracy. Shadr Sanders is more accurate, but cam ward has way more velocity arm. Look, accuracy, Shiner Sanders is more accurate, but Cam Ward has way more velocity on his throws. He can make throws to the outside of the field. He can make every throw on the football field consistently. Downfield doesn't matter and Shiner Sanders arm is good. His accuracy is good, but past about 40 yards, his deep ball does tend to kind of tail off fitting balls into certain windows at the NFL level.

I don't think it's going to be a realistic thing for sugar Sanders. He has very, very average to below average arm strength. If we're honest now, again, the accuracy is there, but cam ward has that live arm, that cannon arm, the high upside arm and cam ward is a much better mobile player and you look around the NFL right now and second reaction playmaking, making off schedule plays. When the play breaks down, what can your quarterback do for you? That is the currency.

Think about Jaylen hurts. Think about Josh Allen. Think about Jayden Daniels. Think about Lamar Jackson. Think about Patrick my homes. I mean, even some of the lesser mobile quarterbacks like Joe Burrow or CJ Stroud still have the ability to off schedule playmaking to make things happen when the play breaks down.

So that's why for me, I lean Cam Ward because Shaner Sanders is more accurate, more poised, doesn't make as many turnover worthy plays. He is the safer player. But if you're drafting number one overall at the quarterback position, you got to go after somebody who can change your franchise and has the potential to be an elite quarterback. And I think when you look at the two players, Sanders is a safer option and a better fit in Callahan's system,

but Cam Ward has the higher upside to be an elite game-changing quarterback. And I think if I'm taking a quarterback number one, and I'm not very certain about either of them, and I'm skeptical of both of them, which is where I'm at. I would lean Cam Ward for the high end upside right there. But again, let me know which quarterback you prefer. If quarterback is the pick at number one, but let's continue because now I want to look at a two round mock draft that pairs one of the quarterbacks with another big need for the Tennessee Titans. I do want to let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by LinkedIn Jobs.

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I can't wait to go down the scouting rabbit hole with these guys and debate their pros and their cons and who the Titans should be more interested in throughout the rest of the draft season. the one of these risky quarterbacks. But if the Tennessee Titans do take a quarterback, I don't have any control over who they take if they do take a quarterback right now, the third week of January, I would say I prefer cam Ward's upside to Scherter Sanders. Um, consistency, let's just say that, but moving forward, if the Titans did take a quarterback in the first round, what would the pairing look like? So I want to go to one of my favorite draft analysts, one of my top three trusted draft analysts in the NFL scouting ecosystem, and it's Dane Bruegler from the athletic.

You're going to hear me lean on Dane Bruegler quite a bit throughout this process. I really like his analysis. I really like his insight. The beast at the athletic is probably the best draft content. I think that there is out there, but with that being said, do you want to look at Dane Bruegler's first mock draft for the athletic. And of course he has the Tennessee Titans drafting cam ward with the first overall pick, so should be no shock there. the Tennessee Titans drafting cam ward with the first overall pick.

So should be no shock there. Quite honestly, we just talked about multiple mock drafts that had the Tennessee Titans taking a quarterback. And I think the reality is with the Tennessee Titans quarterback situation, I think most mock drafts on our mock draft Mondays are going to include a quarterback at number one, which is going to have me doing my own mock drafts to try to take a look at different scenarios. But here is what Dane Bruegler, who again, I think is one of the best media

scouts in the entire world said about the Tennessee Titans taking Cam Ward at number one quote, the incoming general manager in Tennessee will inherit a great opportunity, either invest in a quarterback at number one or trade the pick to a quarterback needy team. Any other outcome would be surprising. I agree. You either take quarterback at number one or you trade back. If the Titans opt not to take a quarterback, the ideal scenario would be to trade back two spots with the Giants.

The Titans wouldn't receive close to what the bears got in compensation from the Panthers for the number one pick two years ago, but they would gain additional draft capital and still be in position to take Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter at number three. However, in this mock, the Titans decide ward is an upgrade over their current quarterback situation. His loose play style won't be for everyone, but his ability to create explosive plays and gradual improvements he's shown each year are promising

aspects of his profile. Some scouts compare Ward's upside to that of Steve McNair, which should be music to the ears of fans in Nashville. Listen, I hate to do this. I really do hate to do it. I'm not gonna lie to you at all. I hate to do it because I know what it means. I know how it sounds, but also we compared Malik Willis

to Steve McNair. There was, you know, the lower level college football, the playmaking ability, the toughness, uh, the genuine humble attitude, all of that Malik Willis had those same vibes of Steve McNair when we were being overly optimistic and that proved out to be absolutely stupid and absolutely silly, but Malik Willis is better than I gave him credit for throughout most of his career, but he's not a starting quarterback in the NFL. He's not Steve McNair.

He's never going to win a co-MVP or lead a team to a Superbowl. He turned into a solid NFL backup, which is more than I gave him credit for, but we can't take that too far and act like, you know, those Steve McNair comparisons were ever really fair or true. That that's just a reality, but. comparisons were ever really fair or true that that's just a reality, but it, that is the comparison people are making with cam ward. You can see it, watch him play the way he can avoid sacks in the backfield with pressure on him.

The way he plays with toughness, the way he continues to play, making keys, it keeps his eyes downfield. One thing I could say about cam ward is he's not quite the runner that you think he is his rushing yards totals, his explosive ability as a runner. Maybe isn't quite what it is, but he uses his athleticism and mobility to make plays when it matters most and to keep plays alive and to move around. I would compare it to Patrick Mahomes. Like Patrick Mahomes doesn't have the same mobility that Josh Allen,

Lamar Jackson, and Jaden Daniels have. Patrick Mahomes isn't quite on that level, but he could still kill you with his legs if you leave him open. He still can run around and has athleticism to make plays in the backfield. I would say you could also compare Cam Ward to a Jalen Hurts. Hurts may be just a touch better as a runner Then cam ward is maybe that's a touch too far the other way But I think between Patrick Mahomes and Jalen hurts you'll find cam ward so it's hard not when you see the toughness in the pocket and the size and You know the never say die attitude

It's tough not to make the steam McNair comparison and people outside of Tennessee. Again, Dane Bruegler isn't a Tennessee Titans person. He's talking to people around the NFL and other people around the NFL who aren't affiliated with the Titans whatsoever. See a little bit of a steam McNair comparison with cam ward. So it's hard for that not to pull on your heartstrings a little bit as a Titans fan. But again, if we're talking about high end upside, Cam Ward is the pick for me.

Now, the second pick for the Tennessee Titans, this is a set, a two round mock draft. And we're going to get into some more multi round mock drafts for the Titans going forward. But it'll be an interesting decision that they make because the second pick for the Titans is Jack Sawyer, the edge rusher from Ohio state. And look, I'm a Buckeye.

I'm born and raised in Ohio, lived in Ohio my entire life, went to college in Ohio university. Like I am an Ohio boy through and through. And Jack Sawyer is awesome. He reminds me of a Trey Hendrickson. He reminds me of, let me think here. Big sturdy physical edge. Uh, I don't want to say to Nico Autry. That's not fair.

He's not quite that big, not quite that athletic in my opinion, but I think Trey Hendrickson, and I think at his best at his absolute best, like a cam Jordan type is what you might be able to get with Jack Sawyer. So I love going edge and a physical edge at that somebody who could set the run or set the edge in the run game, which something the Titans are sorely lacking with like an Arden key getting Jack Sawyer, a player from a big program, who's a good football character guy who has had success, a player from a big program, who's a good football character guy who has had success, who has played in big games, who is productive. I think that makes a ton of sense, but I will say this.

Cameron Williams, the young offensive tackle out of Texas went three picks later to the Patriots. I would have a hard time passing on Cam Williams there. Also Matthew Golden, the wide receiver out of Texas, who is rocketing up draft boards right now would be hard to pass on him if the Titans were to trade Jeffrey Simmons this all season, Walter Nolan, the defensive tackle from Ole Miss went about eight picks later. That would be a possible option as well.

Like there are a lot of good players right here in this mix for the Tennessee Titans who can make a ton of sense. So I think it'll be interesting whether it be wide receiver edge, offensive line, where will they go there? Because again, they're gonna have some good options and that's why having a pick this high really, really important. But I do want to point out that, uh, Ariante, um, I can't say it right, right now. Irsay the offensive tackle from Minnesota. I know I'd blurted that bad, but, but went two picks earlier to the Cleveland Browns and boy, would that be an excellent pick

for the Titans at all offensive tackle. So the second round conversation is going to be almost as fun as the first round conversation, but that's a great pairing for the Titans cam ward and Jack Sawyer. I would love that, but let's look at some mock drafts that don't take quarterback at number one. Before I get into them, do want to thank you for making the Locked on Titans podcast your first listen. Want to let you know that today's episode is brought to you by Fandool. Look, from the first whistle to the final drive, Fandool makes the NFL playoffs even

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I got some more insight on the quarterback position as well. But now I want to cap things off with two mock drafts that do go a different way for the Titans in the first round, no quarterback. And these ones, before I get into them, do want to thank you again for making a locked on Titan. Your first listen for your second listen, check out locked on NFL. I host the locked on NFL podcast, breaking down all the biggest NFL news every single week, Monday through Friday for free.

You're not going to want to miss that. So make sure that you check it out. It's part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. But looking at our first non-quarterback mock draft, we go to the sporting news. My locked on coworker, Vinnie Iyer has the Tennessee Titans with the first overall pick going with Travis Hunter, Colorado, dual threat, cornerback and wide receiver. Vinnie says, quote, the Titans will find it difficult to go in a different

direction because of Hunter's immense rare talent on both sides of the ball. He can play impact corner man, a cover man in their defense and also provide some extra punch in the passing game when needed. Look, I love Travis Hunter. I think quite honestly, Travis Hunter is the best player in the entire draft. So at the Tennessee Titans go Travis Hunter, am I going to be mad? Am I going to be angry? No.

Now I will tell you this. If the Titans take a non quarterback at number one and don't trade down to get them. I will be a tad disappointed. There's no way around it for the Titans to stick and pick at number one and not take one of the quarterbacks and not trade down more importantly, that would be frustrating because it would feel like the Titans missed a golden opportunity to bolster their team and bolster their draft capital and do what they did in 2016 to set this team up for a nice run with a bunch of picks and a good role players and some stars and Kevin Byard and Derek Henry.

Like I feel like that would be a disappointment if the Titans take Travis Hunter at number one, but let me say this again, I think Travis Hunter is the best football player in the entire draft. And if the Titans left the first round with Travis Hunter, it would be hard for me to be too angry. I would just be like, okay, all right. Makes sense. And in this mock draft for, uh, sporting news, the Browns

don't even take a quarterback. It's Tetaro and McMillan, the wide receiver out of Arizona, going number two overall to the Browns. So the quarterbacks really fall in this one with Chedur Sanders going number three to the giants. And then cam ward going number six to the Raiders. I could see that, but it definitely would be a disappointing outcome for the Tennessee Titans to not be able to get a trade back.

Now the last mock draft that I want to talk about here comes from CBS sports and my guy, Chris trapasso buddy Chris trapasso what are you doing what what are you doing with the first pick the Tennessee Titans trade back okay I like that and they trade back to number three with the New York Giants. All right. I like that. I like that. But they take Will Campbell, the offensive lineman out of LSU.

What? What? What? What? With Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter and Chider Sanders and Tetaroah McMillan all still on the board, you're going to take Will Campbell? Look, Will Campbell is going to be a fine offensive lineman, but I see Will Campbell as a Zach Martin from the Dallas Cowboys, as a Peter Skoronsky for the Tennessee Titans. Like Will Campbell is going to be a guard at the NFL level. He has really short arms. Most NFL scouts, most media scouts have Will Campbell shifting inside. Now the Titans have a need at right guard, but you can't take a right guard number three overall in this draft class. Will Campbell isn't going to play right tackle for you. The Titans have already said they want length out of their offensive tackle positions. They care about length and Will

Campbell has too short of arms. Also, even if we'll Campbell didn't have two shorter arms, Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter on the board. And you're going to pass for them to go offensive line for a third straight first round pick. You cannot do that. That is. Look, we'll Campbell is a good player, but that is a gross mismanagement of assets. You go to the grocery store of $50.

You got to get a full list of assets. You go to the grocery store of $50. You got to get a full list of groceries. You can't spend 40 of it on stakes. And then you only have $10 left for any produce or carbs or drinks, or that's not how it works. Think about that. If you had a $50 budget to grow grocery shopping for everything, and you spent $40 of it on stake, that's what the Titans would be doing. If they took three straight first round picks on the offensive line, you cannot do that.

You simply cannot do that. So of all the mock drafts that we look at throughout this mock draft, Monday, all season drafts, that is the worst. Well, I won't say the worst because at least they traded back, but look what. Well, I won't say the worst because at least they traded back. But look what Trappasso said. They get two second round picks and a third round pick. There is no way that I'm trading down to number three, not getting a first round pick in return and taking an offensive lineman

who probably needs to play Garp. That is a disaster mock draft. What are we doing? Anyways, I just had to... Had to rant about that one with you guys for just a little bit. But that's gonna do it for me today, folks. As always, I am your host, Tyler Roland, and this was Locked on Titans. Thanks for watching guys!