The first pick in the 2025 draft, Ward is expected to start Week 1 for the Titans. His arm strength is already on par with the best in the league, allowing him to throw with good velocity from a variety of arm slots to make plays all over the field. Ward is more of a pocket passer than a true dual threat, but he's mobile enough to scramble around and make something out of nothing. That sometimes leads to running into sacks, one of the few criticisms from scouts. He's 6-foot-2, 219, with a quick release and plenty of experience -- he set the NCAA record with 158 career TD passes, including 39 last season. The Titans brought back last year's coaching staff but remade their offensive line in free agency, signing right guard Kevin Zeitler and left tackle Dan Moore. Although Moore is a better run blocker than pass blocker, his arrival allows 2024 first-round pick JC Latham to move back to right tackle, where he played exclusively in college. Calvin Ridley is a legitimate threat downfield, coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, but the Titans don't have much else to threaten defenses. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine left for Miami in the offseason; 2022 first-round bust Treylon Burks is coming back from an ACL tear; free-agent additions Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson haven't done much in recent years; and TE Chig Okonkwo has never topped 528 yards or three TDs in a season. The Titans drafted two WRs in the fourth round, Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor, but their skill-position personnel still look subpar overall. Even if Ward plays reasonably well, he probably won't add enough rushing stats to push for QB1 fantasy status until he gets more help.
