So much of the talk surrounding the Tennessee Titans' 2025 NFL Draft class centers on how this class will benefit the team two, three and four years down the line.
That, of course, ignores the present. Which we won't be doing in this article.
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It's time to rank the Titans' nine draft picks based on how likely they are to contribute in 2025. This ranking encapsulates everything from starter potential to rotational value to positional importance to special teams ability.
This time last year, few Titans fans would've expected cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr. to have had a more impactful rookie season than linebacker Cedric Gray, for example. But exercises like these are helpful for envisioning the shape of the roster and seeing how much and where the Titans have improved.
Here are The Tennessean's rankings of which rookies will be most productive for the Titans in 2025.
LONG READ: Don't believe Cam Ward will be Tennessee Titans' hero? This is how he'll prove you wrong
9. G/C Jackson Slater
By virtue of the position, backup linemen have the least to do. It's not like they can stick him on the punt team or on kickoff return. He'll sit back and learn, and fill in if there's an injury.
8. CB Marcus Harris
It's hard to imagine a world where Harris does much more than play on special teams in Year 1. Not a bad thing, but hardly an instant contributor.
7. S Kevin Winston Jr.
The Titans say they expect Winston, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, to be healthy by training camp, but that's still going to be a tough adjustment. Besides, safety isn't really a position where players rotate. He'll have to earn his reps by making plays on special teams first.
6. RB Kalel Mullings
The Titans needed a big back, and they found one. Don't expect Mullings to touch the ball a lot. But he'll be a short-yardage ace, and his experience playing linebacker should translate to special teams.
5. WR Chimere Dike
At the very least, expect Dike to contend for the punt returner job. At most, he's got a chance to crack the rotation as the Titans' No. 3 receiver if he can beat out a fellow rookie with a little more pedigree.
4. OLB Oluwafemi Oladejo
The Titans' second-round pick is raw and in need of some incubation time. Unless he knocks his coaches' socks off in training camp, expect him to start off behind Dre'Mont Jones, Arden Key and Lorenzo Carter in the rotation.
3. WR Elic Ayomanor
It's a question of whether Ayomanor's polish, poise and athleticism can outweigh his injury history and relative inconsistency. Consider him the favorite to be the No. 3 receiver, but don't be shocked if Dike (or veterans like Van Jefferson or Bryce Oliver) beat him out.
2. TE Gunnar Helm
Helm should be able to come in and immediately start competing for reps with Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle. It'll hardly be a surprise if Helm is in the starting rotation by September.
1. QB Cam Ward
Yes, this was a foregone conclusion. But everyone should expect Ward to be the Titans' starting quarterback on Day 1, and the expectation is he'll be the catalyst for change across the whole roster.
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Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Ranking Titans NFL draft picks by who'll play the most as rookies
