Donnie Wrightside stated that Tennessee’s No. 1 pick is "signed, sealed and delivered" to Cam Ward, calling the Washington State product the only bona‑fide franchise quarterback in this class. He stressed that the Titans’ refusal to entertain offers signals they value Ward more than any haul of future picks, noting parallels to drafts where QB‑needy teams like the Rams (Goff) and Panthers (Bryce Young) stood pat. Because of that conviction, Wrightside recommends betting Ward at prohibitive odds to go 1.01 and fading any market speculating on late Tennessee trade‑downs. Fantasy drafters in superflex formats should also anticipate immediate opportunity volume, as the Titans’ depth chart is otherwise barren.

Evan Silva said Tennessee’s front office has made its intentions crystal clear: the Titans ignored every veteran quarterback in free agency—passing on Sam Darnold and settling for journeyman Brandon Allen with eight‑inch hands—because they fully expect to select Cam Ward at the top of the draft and start him immediately. Silva noted the Titans have been "locked in on Cam Ward" for three to four weeks and added that Ward will open the season as the Week 1 starter. For betting markets this is actionable information on Ward’s draft slot and Rookie of the Year odds; for best‑ball drafters it signals immediate fantasy opportunity tied to Day‑1 playing time.

Jonathan Jones reported Tennessee will jump from 35 to 29 (via Washington) to secure Missouri star Luther Burden III. Burden averaged 7.6 YAC per catch and turned 40 % of his 2023 touches into first downs/TDs, giving rookie QB Cam Ward the explosive target the current room—Calvin Ridley, Treylon Burks, Van Jefferson—lacks. Jones said HC Brian Callahan’s hour‑long Combine interview eased character concerns and that the Titans view Burden’s inside/outside versatility as their Deebo Samuel blueprint. Ryan Wilson agreed, calling him a “day‑one weapon.” Betting note: both touts advised hitting Burden Under 31.5 (‑120) and sprinkling ‘First WR selected outside top‑15’ at +350 because league buzz has Tennessee locked on him.

Jonathan Jones said the Titans will make Cam Ward the first‑overall pick on Thursday. Jones has spoken with multiple front–office sources who all have Ward as the clear QB1 in this class and noted Tennessee has fielded only cursory calls—no serious trade offers—so they are comfortable sitting tight. Quarterback is the roster’s obvious hole, and Ward’s dual‑threat skill set lines up with Brian Callahan’s scheme. Jones did add that the organization will probably run the full 10‑minute clock, and Ward himself has not yet been told he is the selection, but Jones is adamant the decision is done.

Thor Nystrom said Cam Ward has essentially locked up the No. 1 overall selection to the Tennessee Titans, calling it a "free spot" on every draft card. Tennessee quietly cancelled previously scheduled private workouts with Colorado stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders, a signal to Nystrom that the front office has zeroed in on Ward. Because the betting market has not fully baked this in, Nystrom believes any price that is still south of –300 remains playable, either as a straight wager or the first leg of exact‑order draft props.

John Middlekauff said he is hammering Tennessee’s season‑win total over 5.5 now that Cam Ward is a near‑certain No. 1 overall pick. Middlekauff believes Ward’s big‑arm, off‑script skill set is a massive upgrade from the Will Levis–Ryan Tannehill carousel that produced the NFL’s 31st‑ranked offense. He pointed to Brian Callahan’s pass‑friendly scheme and a quietly solid Titans defense that finished 12th in DVOA against the run as reasons six or seven wins are realistic in an AFC South he called “pretty crappy.” With Ward’s mobility masking a shaky offensive line and Tennessee likely to add another receiver on Day 2, Middlekauff views the 5.5 line as a full win too low.