INDIANAPOLIS – NFL Network and CBS analyst Charles Davis is in agreement on one theory: It's a bad year to have the No.1 pick.
But not necessarily because of the prospects in this year's NFL Draft.
"It's always a bad year to have the No.1 pick, unless you've had it traded to you and you're a good team," Davis said with a smile. "But otherwise, it's always a bad year to have the No.1 pick, because it means you're a bad team. You've earned it, which is not great."
The Titans, of course, "earned" the No.1 pick of this year's NFL Draft by going 3-14 in 2024.
It resulted in General Manager Ran Carthon getting fired, and the Titans have since rebuilt their front office so it now includes new GM Mike Borgonzi and personnel veterans Dave Ziegler and Reggie McKenzie.
The team kept coach Brian Callahan, and he's added some new pieces to his coaching staff this offseason.
Here at the NFL Combine, the Titans are exploring their options with the first overall pick, while also gauging interest in potential trades for the pick in an effort to accumulate more selections in the draft.
Davis, who is Indianapolis working the combine, has a good feel for the landscape.
"I hate to say that it's a bad year, but I don't think the bounty, like the year (former Titans GM) Jon Robinson asked for the king's ransom and got it, I don't know that there's a king's ransom available this year, if you indeed want to trade it," Davis said. "Now if you have conviction on a quarterback, and you think he is that person, whoever he is – Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders or whoever they think that quarterback is – then it's a great year to have the No.1 pick, because you get to the guy you want. You don't have to take your second or third choice, you take your choice, and to me that's what it comes down to."
The Titans have met with both quarterbacks at the NFL Combine, and they'll spend more time with each one in the coming weeks during 30 visits and at their Pro Days at Miami and Colorado.
Ward and Sanders talked to reporters here on Friday, when they discussed why teams should pick them.
Their game tape will also play a big part in the decision.
"If you fall in love with one, you should take him," Davis said. "Because it's not as prohibitive as you remember it being or I remember it being. It's as easy to do as the Cardinals moved up (in 2018) to take (quarterback) Josh Rosen, that didn't work, and then one year later, the very next draft, at 1, they take (quarterback) Kyler Murray. Remember when there was no way you could do that as an organization? You would bankrupt yourself for the next 15 years if you did something like that?
"Well, you don't do that anymore. To me, you swing until you hit it, and it's set up for you to do that. It's not prohibitive if you miss – obviously you're year is not good. But you can afford to keep swinging."
Davis noted other top prospects in Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter and Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.
And, he thinks someone could fall in love with one of the quarterbacks, if not the Titans.
So, it could lead to some interesting decisions, and results, leading up to, and during, the NFL Draft.
"Ward and Sanders are talented players," Davis said. "With Shedeur, and Deion being his father, sometimes I hope people are able to evaluate him. And he's a good quarterback. You watch him, and he's a good player. You don't put up those kinds of numbers just because your name is Sanders, you know?
"And Cam Ward, he is close to the American dream, or close. Maybe that's extreme. But he had one offer coming out, from Incarnate Word, went to Washington State and now look at him. He's gotten better at every spot. Both of these guys are really talented."
Davis, who will provide analysis for Titans preseason games once again in 2025, said he's looking forward to seeing what Borgonzi and the Titans will do.
Davis said he's been impressed with Borgonzi, and he's happy the team stuck with Callahan as well.
"I know his reputation, and I know where he came from and the path he has embarked on," Davis said of Borgonzi. "Everyone is going to see Kansas City and all the success. Well, he was around when it wasn't so successful. So he's seen what it takes build and come out of a tough situation and get there. His reputation is really good, and I think he'd going to do a really nice job.
"And Brian, I like him a lot. Things didn't go right for them last year, but his team played hard. But I think Brian Callahan has the right stuff, with this group, and I'm thrilled he got another opportunity."
