The Tennessee Titans hold the coveted first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Will they stick to tradition and draft a quarterback, or will they pull off a shocker that shakes up the league? Adding to the speculation, Titans President Chad Binker has sent fans into a frenzy with his bold declaration: “We won’t pass on a generational talent with the first pick in the NFL Draft.”
Amid swirling draft rumors, former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has weighed in. He confidently predicted that the Titans will use their top pick to select Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter, whom he believes is nothing short of a “generational talent.”
Cam Newton Believes Travis Hunter Is the Perfect Franchise Player for the Titans
With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are generating buzz in quarterback discussions. However, many believe the Titans could prioritize strengthening their defense by selecting a top-tier player like Hunter instead.
Newton shares that sentiment, believing Hunter could restore the identity of the Titans franchise. He argued that since the days of Steve McNair and Eddie George, the team has struggled to find a defining star—and Hunter could be that player.
“There’s only one blue player, according to that reference, in the draft. It’s Travis Hunter. I mean, when you think about the Tennessee Titans as a whole, there’s not a lot of players that you think about just in the history of the franchise. Steve McNair, rest in peace. Eddie George. Those guys, they haven’t played in two decades,” Newton said.
Should the Titans draft Travis Hunter or a QB with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft? 🤔
“Generational player. [Travis Hunter] said it in his own words.” —@CameronNewton pic.twitter.com/RqXjseEAPP
— First Take (@FirstTake) January 23, 2025
“So when you think about who’s been the franchise player, you instantly thrust a guy like Travis Hunter into the fold. Now it gives you that type of identity that we wanna go after. And you know, generational player, he said it in his own words,” he added.
The Titans are in dire need of defensive reinforcements, and Hunter could be the answer. The Heisman Trophy winner is versatile enough to contribute as a 1,000-yard receiver or a lockdown cornerback, giving Tennessee flexibility in how they deploy his talents.
NFL Analysts Link ‘Generational Talent’ Label to Travis Hunter
The Titans hold the No. 1 overall pick for the second time in franchise history. The last time they had the top selection, they drafted Hall of Famer Earl Campbell in 1978—one of the greatest decisions in franchise history. Now, the stakes are high once again in 2025.
NFL Network analyst Mike Garafolo has already made his prediction. Following Binker’s statement about selecting a “generational talent,” Garafolo took to X (formerly Twitter) to suggest the pick will be Hunter.
“Generational talent” = Travis Hunter, not one of the QBs. So file this one away for later as the #Titans get closer to making their pick (92 days from today). https://t.co/0pnLDEOE0s
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 22, 2025
Meanwhile, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes Binker’s statement could be pivotal for the Titans. While he doesn’t dispute that Hunter fits the “generational talent” label, he also acknowledges Tennessee’s urgent need for a quarterback.
“Then you go to pick number 2,” Kiper said on Get Up. “This is where, again, these two quarterbacks getting forced up just a bit. Who’s the best player in this draft? That’s Travis Hunter from Colorado. Be it wide receiver, corner, Cleveland needs a dynamic presence at that wide receiver spot. Sprinkle him in at corner.”
“They go Travis Hunter, best player in the draft, over the quarterback Shedeur Sanders.”
Kiper ultimately predicts the Titans will select Cam Ward, leaving Hunter to be taken No. 2 overall. Now, all eyes are on Tennessee as the draft approaches on April 24, 2025. Will they go with a franchise quarterback, or will they make history by taking Travis Hunter?
