The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
With 2025 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2025 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Tennessee Titans, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Tennessee Titans rookies?
- Cam Ward (QB, Miami)
- Femi Oladejo (EDGE, UCLA)
- Kevin Winston Jr. (S, Penn State)
- Chimere Dike (WR, Florida)
- Gunnar Helm (TE, Texas)
- Elic Ayomanor (WR, Stanford)
- Jackson Slater (OL, Sacramento State)
- Marcus Harris (CB, Cal)
- Kalel Mullings (RB, Michigan)
Tennessee Titans Draft Class Grade:
The Tennessee Titans received a C draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Titans Rookies Will Make An Impact?
Tennessee swung for the fences with its first pick, and the success of Cam Ward (first round) will determine the fate of the franchise over the next few years.
Ward’s off-script playmaking sets a high ceiling, but his reckless play in those situations is also the reason he might fail.
Last year at Miami, Ward was one of 69 FBS quarterbacks who attempted at least 50 passes outside the pocket. On those attempts, his 1.1 ratio of plays gaining 1.0 EPA or higher relative to plays costing -1 EPA or worse ranked 32nd.
In other words, he was producing almost as many significantly negative plays outside the pocket as he was big plays.
Now the Tennessee staff will need to help Ward tone down reckless play, while still giving him the freedom to create those big plays 一 it’s a tough tightrope to walk.
The Titans chased upside again on Day 2 with Oluwafemi Oladejo (second round), an edge-rusher with just one year of experience at the position after switching from his role as an off-ball linebacker.
Oladejo has exciting athletic traits and is capable of winning with pure speed, but he’s still learning the nuances of the position.
When lined up on the edge, Oladejo generated a 10.3% pressure rate last year, which only ranked 25th out of 50 qualified edge-rushers in the Big Ten.
Oladejo likely serves as a backup during his rookie year, though Arden Key and Dre’Mont Jones are certainly not locked into their roles, and whenever Oladejo is ready, Tennessee will give him more playing time.
The Titans gambled again with Kevin Winston Jr. (third round), who started just 15 games during his three years at Penn State.
Winston had a breakout year in 2023 but missed all but two games in 2024 due to an ACL injury.
Amai Hooker is in the final year of his contract, so the plan may be for Winston to learn that role behind Hooker before taking over in 2026.
Chimere Dike (fourth round) has the potential to thrive as a deep threat in Tennessee’s offense, though his skill set overlaps with Calvin Ridley, who is locked into his role and under contract through 2027.
Dike’s quarterback was Graham Mertz at both Wisconsin and Florida, a less than ideal pairing given Mertz's Lack of downfield passing ability.
In 2024, Dike caught 90% of his catchable targets at 15 or more yards downfield, the third-best rate among Power Four receivers 一 he just didn’t get enough opportunities to make a name for himself, as 31% of his targets at that depth were uncatchable.
Gunnar Helm (fourth round) isn’t an elite athlete, but he’s a capable blocker and a reliable possession receiver. Helm should compete with Josh Whyle for the backup job behind Chig Okonkwo.
Tennessee only used two tight ends 28% of the time last year, just below the league average, so Helm likely won’t see much action this year. However, Okonkwo is in his final contract year, so there’s a path to a starting job in 2026 if Helm exceeds expectations as a rookie.
Elic Ayomanor (fourth round) has impressive athletic traits and only just turned 22, but likely fell to Day 3 due to a history of knee injuries.
To carve out a role in the NFL, Ayomanor needs to become a more reliable pass-catcher and learn how to use his size to his advantage more consistently.
Based on route adjusted data, Ayomanor’s catch rate fell below average in each of his two seasons at Stanford and 2.4% below average for his career.
Jackson Slater (fifth round) was a four-year starter at guard for Sacramento State. He’ll serve as a backup behind Peter Skoronski and Kevin Zeitler, who have starting jobs locked up.
Marcus Harris (sixth round) was an FCS All-American at Idaho before making a smooth transition to California for the 2024 season.
Harris lacks ideal size but has impressive speed, and might be the type of athlete who could benefit from a switch to the nickel corner role.
Extensive special teams experience will help Harris earn a roster spot, and he’ll likely be given an opportunity to compete for a job returning punts.
Kalel Mullings (seventh round) is a wildcard in this draft class for Tennessee, having only spent two years at running back after switching from linebacker.
When accounting for defenders in the box and the inside/outside direction of the run, Mullings gained 23% more yards after contact than expected last year, ranked 15th among Power Four running backs.
Mullings will compete with Julius Chestnut for the third-string running back job and could potentially see some action in short-yardage situations if he wins the job.
This was a bold initial draft class for first-year GM Mike Borgonzi. It could potentially change the direction of the franchise if Ward lives up to the hype. But it’s also one of the most boom-or-bust classes anyone put together this year.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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