Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Titans choose generational talent over QB draft fallacy.
This may be the easiest non-QB #1 selection since Myles Garrett. Travis Hunter has been the best player in college football since he arrived in 2022. He was the number #1 high school recruit (247 Sports/Rivals), and #1 player in CFB (2024 Heisman). He is the best prospect in this draft at both WR and CB, with the endurance to play both (1458 snaps this year per Mel Kiper). He has the potential to have a legitimate elite impact on both sides of the ball.
“Other” accolades include - Two Time first team All-American. Two-time first team Academic All-American. Defensive Player of the year (Bednarik Award), Only repeat winner of the Paul Hornung award (most versatile player), Biletnikoff award for best receiver. First player ever to be named First team All American on both offense and defense.
It feels like his floor is Jalen Ramsey (defense) and/or Jamar Chase (offense). But his ceiling is the greatest athlete to ever play professional sports. That is not hyperbole. You don’t pass on a guy like that just because you “need” a QB unless it is a can’t miss QB prospect. Neither Ward nor Sanders are that. Hunter is as can’t miss as we have seen.
The QB Draft Fallacy
Given all of the above, there will always be a contingent of fans and analysts who believe “If you don’t have a QB you have to draft one.” The Titans seemingly need an upgrade at QB, and they are certainly in a position to draft one with the first pick. However, neither Ward nor Sanders are considered can’t miss prospects like several of the QBs in recent years (Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, Caleb Williams). So, the pressure isn’t there to “have” to take one. Furthermore, they may not be set up for a QB to succeed with subpar offensive line play and weapons.
The Titans are a team trying to rebuild an o-line that finished 28th and 27th in Pass Block Win Rate (PBWR) in the last two years. To help shore that up they brought in Dan Moore from the Steelers who finished 11th in PBWR and signed 35-year-old Kevin Zeitler from Detroit (known for his run blocking) on a one-year deal. However, it is still an o-line in transition. Nothing is proven out yet to demonstrate they are set up to protect a young QB, and a bad o-line leads to bad QB play (just ask Pat Mahomes)
The offensive skill position players are equally underwhelming. The current depth chart at receiving corps starts Calvin Ridley, Traylon Burks, and Van Jefferson. Just slightly below AJ, Smitty and Jahan (I need BGN sarcasm font here lol). Okonkwo is a talented but underachieving TE. They do have two serviceable RBs in Pollard and Spears (Zeitler helps here). A Hunter/Ridley/Jefferson at least looks like a top half of the league WR corp. 96 receptions for 1258 yards and 15 TDs in 2024 while playing both ways. On defense he would be an immediate upgrade at outside corner (Snead has had a decent career and Brownlee is a 2024 5th round pick). 4 picks (9 in two years at CU) and as previously mentioned 1st team All-American.
Just Take the Best Player
Fans of the Eagles have bore witness that you don’t need a generational talent at the most important position if you have a team filled with great players. In fact, we have beaten 2 generational QBs in the last 8 years, deploying stacked rosters with all-pro and pro bowl caliber players instead of Hall of Fame QBs. Travis Hunter represents not only potential all-pro talent but all-time talent. We are talking Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders, Michael Jordan territory. You don’t pass that up because you need a QB if that QB isn’t a sure fire hit like Peyton Manning. I am assuming if they can get a haul for the 1st pick, they will trade back. And if they cannot get a haul, then the QB isn’t worth taking. This is an easy pick!
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2025 BGN Mock Draft Order
Titans (JoeDirtsBarber): Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Browns (kjb304)
Giants (The Player Formerly Known as Mousecop)
Patriots (ReginaldHtower)
Jaguars (eaglenomics)
Raiders (dkays)
Jets (Stick19154)
Panthers (89Tremaine)
Saints (FierceDisc65)
Bears (DrprofBubbles)
49ers (granthill7)
Cowboys (Be subpar for Ja’Marr)
Dolphins (thehead92)
Colts (green1us)
Falcons (All_Hail_Howie)
Cardinals (Good Bad Ideas)
Bengals (ablesser88)
Seahawks (herbalonius)
Buccaneers (Hoosinole)
Broncos (Silverlark60)
Steelers (Dr.MidnightGreen)
Chargers (LancGuy)
Packers (Leo Bedio)
Vikings (krikkebelgium)
Texans (Aint1stULast)
Rams (Booth12)
Ravens (pheebthegoose)
Lions (Neil Dutton)
Commanders (Mailata_in_a_Miata)
Bills (PhilaWolverine)
Chiefs (niels.rosenquist)
Eagles (Philly21)
Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think should be selected in the 2025 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.
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Who should the Titans draft at No. 1 overall?
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WR/CB Travis Hunter
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QB Cam Ward
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QB Shedeur Sanders
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EDGE Abdul Carter
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