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The curtain came down on the 2024 NFL season in blockbuster fashion at Super Bowl LIX as the Philadelphia Eagles demolished the Kansas City Chiefs to claim the Lombardi for the second time in their history. KC headed to New Orleans as the reigning back-to-back champions and stood on the brink of history. If they had won, they would have completed the first three-peat ever, sealing their status as footballing immortals.
The bookies had them down as the 1.5-point favorites to get the job done. But from the very first snap, it was clear that Patrick Mahomes and Co. were in big, big trouble. A ruthless Philly defense sacked the aforementioned quarterback ace some six times en route to completing a resounding 40-22 victory in one of the most one-sided Big Games in history. Now, though, attention turns to the future.
With the NFL firmly in its off-season, there are plenty of talking points. The first of those surrounds free agency, and specifically, the future of wide receiver Tee Higgins. The Cincinnati Bengals wideout is out of contract this summer, and a whole host of teams are sniffing around in the hopes of securing his signature. Cincy, however, is still hoping that the former Clemson standout will remain in Ohio, forming one-third of the Bengals’ Big Three alongside superstar quarterback Joe Burrow and WR1 Ja’Marr Chase.
But it isn’t just the free agency market that has people talking. Of course, the upcoming NFL draft is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, and the hype is reaching a fever pitch ahead of the annual extravaganza. This year, the picks will be selected from Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers. But who are the contenders to be selected first overall?
Coming off a stellar season at Miami, where he led the nation with 39 touchdown passes, Cam Ward has solidified himself as one of the two top quarterback prospects in this draft class. Now the question is, do the Tennessee Titans see a quarterback as their primary need, or will they look elsewhere? They are scheduled to be first on the board on April 24th in Wisconsin, but where do they think the primary spot on the roster is that is desperate for an upgrade?
There is no question that Will Levis certainly isn’t the man to lead the Nashville side into a bright and prosperous future, but do they need an EDGE rusher more? Or do they think another franchise, perhaps the Jets or the Giants, needs a top quarterback more, and they will trade away the number one slot?
Either way, the betting sites think it will be Ward selected first overall. Several top online Canadian betting sites all have the former Gator as a -140 favorite to be the number one pick, and it’s clear to see why. The 22-year-old brings a captivating blend of athleticism, arm strength, and creativity that makes him a high-ceiling prospect, while his ability to extend plays with his legs and deliver precise deep throws has drawn comparisons to two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and current Super Bowl King Jalen Hurts.
Should the Titans – or someone else for that matter – deem Ward too raw, then Shedeur Sanders could be the more polished option. He is firmly the number two option at quarterback in this year’s draft, but as we have seen in recent years, the number two has often upstaged the number one.
In 2023, C.J. Stroud was selected behind Bryce Young, but he went on to showcase that he was head and shoulders clear of the former Heisman winner. Last year, Caleb Williams was picked first by the Chicago Bears, only for them to find out that Jayden Daniels – selected second by the Washington Commanders – was a generational talent, leading the capital city outfit to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1991.
University of Colorado standout Sanders has been steadily climbing draft boards thanks to his brilliant campaign with the Buffaloes. He is a precision passer with elite footwork, and his 37 touchdown passes last season underscored his ability to put a team on his back. Scouts view him as a “pro-ready” quarterback who could perform at a high level faster than the aforementioned Ward, albeit with a slightly lower ceiling. Plus, as the son of two-time Super Bowl champion Deion Sanders, he is used to living life under the spotlight.
Travis Hunter is, simply put, a generational talent. Splitting time as both a wide receiver and cornerback alongside Sanders at Colorado, he showcased unmatched playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. On offense, he racked up 96 catches, 1,258 yards, and 15 touchdowns. On defense, he posted four interceptions and 10 pass breakups. His versatility is unmatched, and multiple scouts believe he will become a household name in the NFL regardless of where he plays.
The primary concern is where Hunter fits in the league. Some evaluators prefer him as a lockdown cornerback, while others see him as an offensive game-changer. NFL teams rarely spend the No. 1 pick on corners or receivers, so Hunter may face an uphill battle to be the first name called. That said, his sheer talent and unique skill set make him impossible to ignore.
If the Titans don’t view the quarterback position as their top priority, then Penn State’s Abdul Carter could be set to shoot up the rankings. The explosive outside linebacker/edge rusher recorded 12 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss, and a jaw-dropping 61 quarterback pressures last season. Tennessee struggled to lockdown quarterbacks last season, conceding some 460 points, the most in the AFC and the second most in the entire league behind only the Dallas Cowboys.
Carter combines speed, power, and a relentless motor to disrupt opposing backfields with ease, something which the current roster at Nissan Stadium is sorely lacking. He’s arguably the safest pick in a draft filled with unpolished quarterbacks, and scouts see him as a Day 1 difference-maker.
The Titans are thin at pass-rusher, so Carter is an ideal fit in terms of need. He wasn’t considered a favorite to be selected first overall, but in recent weeks, odds on him being picked as exactly that have been slashed all the way down to +200, making him the second favorite. Selecting a non-quarterback first overall might feel like a luxury for a team with glaring weaknesses at key positions, but if Tennessee trades down, Carter would likely be one of the first names off the board.