Titans’ 2025 Draft Class Poised to Push for Playing Time as Rebuild Continues
As the Tennessee Titans continue their organizational rebuild, the focus of the 2025 NFL Draft was clear: invest in young, moldable talent through a draft-and-develop strategy. The front office, led by general manager Ran Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan, is staying committed to a long-term vision — building a competitive roster from the ground up.
That said, this rookie class isn’t just here to sit and learn. Given the current state of the roster, these young players will have ample opportunity to earn meaningful snaps in 2025. Titans leadership has emphasized that real development happens on the field. And with training camp just a month away, the countdown is on for the start of the Cam Ward era in Nashville.
Right now, it looks like only one rookie — quarterback Cam Ward — is a lock to start in Week 1. The rest of the draft class will likely begin in rotational or sub-package roles, but don’t be surprised if a few of these rookies break through by midseason. Here are three names to watch closely as camp approaches:
Kevin Winston Jr., Safety
The Titans addressed their secondary this offseason by signing veteran Xavier Woods to pair with Amani Hooker at safety. Woods, a former sixth-round pick, has carved out a solid career, starting 14 or more games in six of the last seven seasons. He brings leadership, experience, and a high football IQ — all valuable assets in a young locker room.
But Woods turns 30 this year, and there’s a new name pushing for a spot in the defensive backfield: Kevin Winston Jr. Before his 2024 injury, Winston was regarded as one of the more polished safety prospects in college football. Now healthy and ready to go, he’s expected to begin his NFL journey contributing on special teams and in three-safety looks.
If Winston stays healthy and adapts quickly to the speed of the NFL, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him challenge Woods for a starting role by midseason. His range, instincts, and physicality offer a long-term upgrade at the position. Should Winston rise, Woods could transition into a situational or rotational role — valuable, but no longer full-time.
Elic Ayomanor, Wide Receiver
Among the most intriguing picks of the Titans’ 2025 draft class is Elic Ayomanor, a wideout with size, explosiveness, and long-term WR1 upside. At the moment, the Titans’ receiving corps is a veteran-heavy group designed to ease the transition for rookie quarterback Cam Ward. Calvin Ridley is expected to operate as the team’s Z receiver, Tyler Lockett will man the slot, and Van Jefferson has the early edge at the X spot.
Ayomanor will likely begin the season behind those three, but he shouldn’t stay there for long. His physical traits — size, speed, catch radius — make him an ideal candidate for outside work. If he impresses in a limited role early, especially in red-zone or third-down situations, he could force his way into a larger role.
The Titans don’t need Ayomanor to be a star in Year 1. But if he develops into a league-average or better receiver by season’s end, it would be a massive win for the team’s rebuilding timeline. His ceiling is far higher than Jefferson’s, and his progression could quietly define the success of this year’s draft class.
Femi Oladejo, EDGE
A raw but fascinating project, Femi Oladejo comes to Nashville with limited experience at EDGE, but with sky-high potential. At UCLA, Oladejo often showed flashes of brilliance — explosive bursts off the edge, strong hands, and relentless effort. However, his game still needs refinement. He sometimes
