In Green Bay, NFL Draft wait almost over for Cam Ward, Travis Hunter

Titletown underwent a makeover for the weekend as the 2025 NFL Draft takes place at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., starting Thursday night with the first round.

On the clock since the final game of the regular season in January, the Tennessee Titans resisted trade overtures and are committed to keeping the No. 1 pick in hopes of reversing recent fortunes in Nashville.

Miami quarterback Cam Ward has been the primary prospect under consideration by first-year general manager Mike Borgonzi and second-year head coach Brian Callahan for weeks. Ward, rated as a zero-star recruit, began his journey at Incarnate Word, transferred to Washington State and then spent the final season of his five-year college football journey running the Hurricanes’ offense and set the FBS record for TD passes (158).

“I’m excited to hopefully hear my name called first to go to a great organization like that,” Ward said Wednesday.

The Titans’ franchise last had the No. 1 pick in 1978, when the then-Oilers selected running back Earl Campbell.

Callahan was part of the Bengals’ organization when Joe Burrow was drafted first overall in 2020 and Borgonzi was a scout with the Chiefs when Kansas City unearthed a franchise quarterback named Patrick Mahomes.

Ward dined with Titans brass before his pro day, where he declared he was “solidifying” his status as the No. 1 pick.

“I like confidence. I think that’s a good thing,” Callahan said. “When you’re in the conversation for the No. 1 pick there’s a lot that comes with it. To have fun with that is a good thing.”

Ward said the passing game concepts in Tennessee are similar to what he was accustomed to in Miami. He also said he’s been in touch with Warren Moon about wearing the retired number — 1 — Moon immortalized with the Houston Oilers’ franchise.

Barring a trade, the Wisconsin faithful will wait a few hours into the draft for the Green Bay Packers to make their first selection, No. 23. The Packers enter the draft with picks late in the second (54) and third (87) rounds, which take place Friday night. The final four rounds begin Saturday morning.

One position seemingly always settled in Green Bay is quarterback, where Jordan Love has a firm hold on the spot since being drafted 26th in 2020 and developing behind Aaron Rodgers. The Packers have been the youngest team in the playoffs two consecutive seasons. Rodgers was the 24th pick in 2005.

Following the 2024 draft in which quarterbacks went 1-2-3 and six were first-round picks, the landing spots for the other QBs in this class are far less certain. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe and Louisville’s Tyler Shough all have been mentioned as options in the top 32.

None are expected to be selected before Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, the two-way dynamo from Colorado who insists he can continue playing two positions as a pro.

“I believe I can do it. They said I can’t do it in college, I won the most prestigious award in college football. You still tell me what I can’t do and I’m going to go out there and do it,” Hunter said Wednesday, standing in the end zone at Lambeau Field. “Why is it important? Because I love football.”

Hunter went to the NFL Scouting Combine as a defensive back — primarily because players are grouped by position for all segments of the event — and told teams in face-to-face interviews he sees himself as a wide receiver and cornerback.

Few debate his gamebreaker ability, but teams are far from unanimous on the best way to use Hunter.

Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty could be the first running back picked in the top five since Saquon Barkley (No. 2, Giants, 2018). Jeanty can break tackles and long runs, and shared his own self-confidence in an open letter to NFL general managers this month with a reminder: “It’s tackle football, you know what I’m saying? I’d draft the guy they can’t tackle.”

Jeanty is the headliner in a deep running back class with the potential to place multiple players in the first round for the second time since 2019.

The supply of blue-chip defensive talent runs deep, starting with Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter. Depending on how Hunter is ultimately classified, Carter is expected to be the first defensive player off the board.

A converted stand-up linebacker with only one season at defensive end, Carter posted 23 sacks with the Nittany Lions but has been hampered by injuries to his shoulder and foot since the end of the extended 2024 college football season.

Carter said he’s ready for draft day to finally be here.

“I’m ready to get to tomorrow and find out where I’m going to go,” Carter said. “Wherever it is, I’m blessed to have the opportunity. I’m going to take advantage of the opportunity.”

Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, Georgia edge defenders Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams and SEC offensive tackles who’ve blocked them — Missouri’s Armand Membou and Will Campbell of LSU — are also leading options in the top 10.

The Patriots, who drafted Drake Maye behind Caleb Williams (Bears) and Jayden Daniels (Commanders) last year, are one of the teams eyeing betting pass protection under new head coach Mike Vrabel.

Pete Carroll is back in the saddle, too, after a year away and helping guide the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6 with a fresh Jacksonville regime in between with the fifth overall pick. Jaguars’ first-time general manager James Gladstone has taken an unconventional approach to the draft, and along with 39-year-old first-time head coach Liam Coen, brings an unpredictable element to the middle of the top 10.

A pair of Michigan All-Americans, defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson, are projected to be in play for the Jaguars and Raiders. Las Vegas scored a superstar in the first round last year with record-setter Brock Bowers, the 13th pick in 2024.

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland and Penn State’s Tyler Warren are candidates to be picked in that same range this year.

When and where a second quarterback will come off the board is complicated.

Factors include talks with veterans in Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are considered the frontrunners to sign Rodgers in free agency. A similar scenario could unfold with the Cleveland Browns, who have the No. 2 pick, with reported interest in acquiring Falcons backup quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Cousins holds a no-trade clause and reportedly plans to resist waving that provision until after the draft to avoid landing in the same situation he found himself in a year ago. After signing a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta in free agency, the Falcons shocked Cousins and many more by using the No. 8 pick on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

–Field Level Media