The first pick in the 2025 draft, Ward is expected to start Week 1 for the Titans. His cannon arm is already on par with the best in the league, talented enough to throw with strong velocity from a variety of arm slots to make plays all over the field. The 2024 Davey O'Brien Award winner, Ward is a bit of a gunslinger, often hunting for big plays downfield. He's more of a pocket passer but is functionally mobile and routinely makes something out of nothing. That, however sometimes leads to running into sacks, one of the few criticism from scouts. He has good size (6-2, 219), a quick release and plenty of experience -- he set the NCAA record with 158 career TD passes, including a Miami-record 39 last season. The Titans remade their offensive line in free agency, signing right guard Kevin Zeitler, who allowed two sacks last year for the Lions, and left tackle Dan Moore. Although Moore is a better runner blocker than pass blocker, his arrival allows 2024 first-round pick JC Latham to move to right tackle, where he played exclusively in college. Calvin Ridley, coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, is a viable No. 1 target, but free-agent Tyler Lockett is aging and Treylon Burks is still working back from an ACL injury. Fourth-round picks Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor both add needed speed to the offense. With a bit of rushing, Ward is a two-QB league option while he develops as a rookie.
