The 2025 NFL Draft is still weeks away, but the buzz around the No. 1 overall pick is already heating up.
The Tennessee Titans hold the top selection, and while they could use it to secure their future quarterback, they are also open to trading down.
With multiple teams in the market for a franchise signal-caller, the competition is getting serious.
Among the most interested parties are the New York Giants and the New York Jets, two teams that desperately need a long-term answer under center.
For the Titans, this decision is about value.
If they truly believe in Miami quarterback Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, they would likely just take one of them and move forward.
However, the fact that they are entertaining offers suggests they might not be entirely convinced.
Tennessee has just two picks in the top 100, so trading down could allow them to stockpile draft capital and address multiple needs.
General manager Mike Borgonzi has already acknowledged that teams have called about the pick, and if a trade happens, it will come with a high price tag.
The last time a team traded out of the No. 1 spot, the Chicago Bears received a package that included multiple first-rounders, a second-round pick, and wide receiver D.J. Moore.
The Titans are expecting a similar return if they decide to move down.
And the Giants are one of the most aggressive teams in the conversation.
After a 3-14 season, they were looking for stability at quarterback, and their attempts to land Matthew Stafford earlier in the offseason did not materialize.
Daniel Jones has struggled with consistency and injuries, while Tyrod Taylor is not a long-term solution.
That makes the draft their best opportunity to find a franchise quarterback.
Cam Ward has been a popular name linked to the Giants, especially after a standout season at Miami, where he threw for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns while completing over 67 percent of his passes.
New York currently holds the No. 3 pick, but Ward’s availability when they are on the clock is not guaranteed.
The Las Vegas Raiders have also been mentioned as a team that could be in the mix for a quarterback, so the Giants may feel pressure to move up.
A trade from No. 3 to No. 1 would not be cheap, and some projections suggest they could have to send their second-round picks in 2025 and 2026 to Tennessee as part of the deal.
It would be a steep price, but history shows the Giants are not afraid to make a bold move for a quarterback.
Their trade for Eli Manning in 2004 paid off with two Super Bowl titles, and ownership is eager to see progress in the team’s rebuild.
The Jets are also exploring their options but are in a more complicated position.
They hold the No. 7 pick, which means they risk missing out on both Ward and Sanders unless they make a move.
After parting ways with Aaron Rodgers, the team has no clear plan for the future at quarterback.
Rodgers remains on the roster for now, but his release is expected once the 2025 league year officially begins on March 12.
The Jets finished last season with Taylor as their backup, but despite his solid veteran presence, he is not the answer for a team looking to contend.
A trade from No. 7 to No. 1 would require an even bigger offer than what the Giants would have to give up.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano has reported that the Titans are open to trading the pick, but SNY TV’s Connor Hughes has described the Jets’ interest as more of a routine inquiry rather than serious negotiations.
If New York decides to go all-in, they would likely need to part with multiple first-round picks, which could be too costly for a team with other roster needs.
The bigger question in all of this is why Tennessee is willing to trade down in the first place.
If Ward or Sanders were viewed as sure-thing franchise quarterbacks, the Titans would simply draft one and move forward.
The fact that they are open to moving out of the top spot suggests they may see flaws in both players or prefer a different approach.
There is also the possibility that Tennessee has its eye on another top prospect, such as Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado’s Travis Hunter, a dynamic two-way player who has drawn comparisons to some of the best all-around athletes in recent memory.
If the Giants or Jets make this move and it backfires, the consequences will be severe.
A failed quarterback pick can set a franchise back for years, and with the pressure already mounting on both teams, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The recent success of rookies like Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix has raised expectations around the league, and teams no longer have the luxury of allowing young quarterbacks to develop slowly.
If a team trades up for Ward, the hope will be that he can step in and contribute right away.
The next few weeks will be crucial in determining how this all plays out.
The Titans hold all the leverage, and they know it.
They can afford to wait and see how desperate teams become.
If they trade the pick, they will likely receive a massive return.
If they keep it, they will have the opportunity to draft a quarterback or a top defensive prospect who could anchor their roster for years to come.
For the Giants and Jets, this could be the moment that defines their next era.
Trading up to No. 1 is a gamble, but for teams that have been searching for a long-term answer at quarterback, it might be the best chance they have.
The price will be high, but it could be worth the risk if they truly believe in Ward or Sanders.
