The Tennessee Titans hold the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and while most teams would automatically lean toward a franchise quarterback, the Titans might be taking a different approach. During a press conference introducing new general manager Mike Gorbonzi, Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker dropped an intriguing hint about their draft plans.
“We won’t pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL Draft,” Brinker said. That one sentence has left fans and analysts buzzing about what “generational talent” the Titans are eyeing-and it might not be a quarterback.
Deion Sanders catches Travis Hunter lying and gives him look of shame
Names like Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders have dominated QB discussions, but Tennessee could pivot to defensive powerhouse Abdul Carter or the electric two-way phenom Travis Hunter. Both players have been turning heads, and for good reason.
Carter, an edge rusher out of Penn State, has been a nightmare for offenses. Leading the nation with 24 tackles for loss, he turned the 2024 College Football Playoff into his personal highlight reel. The Titans have struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and Carter could be the immediate fix their defense needs.
Travis Hunter’s versatility and the ripple effect of the Titans’ #1 pick
Then there’s Travis Hunter, the Heisman Trophy winner who seems to do it all. Whether he’s torching defenses as a 1,000-yard receiver or locking down opponents as a cornerback, Hunter’s versatility makes him one of the most unique players in draft history. Tennessee could use him on both sides of the ball, adding a dynamic weapon to a roster that desperately needs playmakers.
If Tennessee skips a quarterback, the ripple effects across the draft could be massive. The New York Giants, picking third and in desperate need of a franchise QB, would suddenly have a clearer path to snag either Ward or Sanders without trading up. Meanwhile, teams looking for elite defensive or hybrid players could scramble to adjust their draft boards.
The Titans have only had the first pick twice in their history. The last time they used it, they selected Hall of Famer Earl Campbell in 1978-a pick that transformed the franchise. This time around, the stakes are just as high.
Whether it’s Carter, Hunter, or a quarterback after all, the Titans’ choice will set the tone not only for their future but for the entire draft.
