Titans Select Star Pass Rusher in Latest Mock Draft

The Tennessee Titans could keep the No. 1 overall pick if they really like one player in particular.

Jeremy Brener | Feb 22, 2025

Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) celebrates after a defensive stop Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, during the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Penn State Nittany Lions won 49-10. / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans are on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick, and it's a common cliché to "take the best player available" regardless of position.

The Titans are linked to a number of players if they keep the No. 1 pick, but one player is rising above the rest at this stage in the pre-draft process.

CBS Sports draft analyst Josh Edwards conducted a recent mock draft where the Titans pass on both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, instead going with Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter.

"If the Titans have a conviction about a quarterback, then they should take him, but if not, then they should not force the matter, because they are a long ways away from contention. Taking Abdul Carter, who fills a need they have had for many years, is a good start to rebuilding that roster," Edwards writes.

The Titans have reason to go in many different directions, but the best part about it is that they are the ones driving the bus. Their decision on whether or not to pick No. 1 and who to take will set the tone for free agency and the draft this offseason.

Sometimes, like last year, the No. 1 choice is simple and the draft starts at No. 2, but this isn't one of those times. This gives the Titans a lot of power in figuring out how other teams want to operate, and that can allow them to make their decisions accordingly.

But it may be in their best interest to block out the noise, turn down the trades and take the least sexy option of all in Carter, but it gives them a player with a great chance to be a cornerstone on the defense for many years to come.

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Published Feb 22, 2025

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.