Tennessee Titans
While it may seem a little basic to back the team with the No. 1 overall pick, especially with all the talent on display this year, it’s clear the Titans fared the best in this year’s NFL draft.
Obviously, Tennessee’s first pick does wonders for its offense. While Will Levis is a strong quarterback with an SEC college background, the Titan offense struggled this season, averaging just over 18 points per game, five places away from the bottom of the league.
Cam Ward, who led Miami against Iowa State through the first half of 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl with three touchdowns before controversially sitting out the second, is a breath of fresh air for a Tennessee team in need of some firepower. He sneakily had one of the best quarterback seasons in recent memory.
What also sets the Titans apart is that none of their picks were all that controversial or upsetting. Each of the nine drafted players brings unique potential to the franchise, from Ward as a promising young quarterback to running back Kalel Mullings from Michigan.
When a team’s last pick in the draft, the latter, is a veteran of the 2023 national champions and holds three consecutive Big Ten conference titles, it’s safe to say the team has done well for itself.
While some teams drew criticism for their various picks across seven rounds of the draft, reviews of the Titans’ selections were agreeable at worst and largely positive. The team’s official website even lists 14 different outlets and analysts that rated the team’s picks, with the lowest score being a singular ‘B-’ by CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso.
The Titans had the best picking order, drafted some of the best rising talent in the league, and managed the nearly impossible task of placating most of their fan base as they did it.
If Tennessee didn’t win the NFL draft, I’m hard-pressed to think of a team that did.
New York Giants
While they may not have had the flashiest picks and made some decisions that many would consider questionable, the New York Giants may have very well won this year’s draft.
With the third overall pick, the Giants went with first team All-American defensive end Abdul Carter out of Penn State. Carter will add to the Giants’ already elite pass rush where last season Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns combined for 17 sacks.
Carter racked up 12 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles with the Nittany Lions in 2024. He went on to win Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors as well as first team All-American defensive honors.
It’s no reach to say the Giants now boast one of the best pass rush units in the league. They couldn’t pass up on a generational pick like Carter at third overall.
With the 25th pick, the Giants got their quarterback, Jaxson Dart. Despite the criticism, this was a fantastic pick. Dart was unquestionably the second-best quarterback in this draft.
Dart makes complete sense with the Giants offense. The Ole Miss product was a top-of-the-line facilitator in his senior season, throwing for 4,279 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only six interceptions.
The Giants offense saw breakouts from receiver Malik Nabers and former Hawkeye and current running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. last season yet lacked a quarterback that could consistently distribute the ball. With veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston to help him behind the scenes, Dart has the perfect opportunity to soon become the franchise quarterback the Giants have desperately needed.
Headlined with the loss of Saquon Barkley, the 2024 season was a step in the wrong direction for the New York Giants. However, with the addition of two potential franchise-changing players, the Giants will look to return to the playoffs and forget all about their disastrous 2024 campaign.