Draft or Bust? Analyzing the High-Stakes 2025 Draft for the Giants, Browns, and Titans

The NFL Draft. A time of hope, dreams, and the potential to alter a franchise’s trajectory for years to come. For some teams, it’s about adding depth or finding a missing piece. But for others, the 2025 NFL Draft represents something far more significant: a “Draft or Bust” scenario. This is especially true for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, and Tennessee Titans, three teams facing critical junctures in their respective rebuilds. With key decision-makers potentially on the hot seat, and glaring needs at the quarterback position, a misstep in Green Bay on April 24th could spell disaster.

New York Giants: Rolling the Dice at Quarterback?

The Giants’ quarterback situation has been a revolving door of mediocrity for far too long. In the past two seasons, they’ve trotted out three different starters each year, a clear sign of instability under center. This offseason, General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll made a concerted effort to address the position, signing veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Wilson, in particular, has declared that he expects to be the starter. But does this mean they’re out of the quarterback market at pick No. 3?

Daboll has stated that “anything is on the table” and Schoen has implied that the Giants have improved the roster to the point where they don’t have to force a pick at quarterback. However, passing on a potential franchise quarterback at No. 3 could be a gamble they can’t afford to take.

Possible Scenarios:

Drafting Shedeur Sanders (Colorado): Sanders is known for his accuracy, poise, and football IQ. He completed 74% of his passes in 2024 for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns. While some are lukewarm on Sanders, others view him as a potential franchise cornerstone.
Drafting Travis Hunter (Colorado): Hunter is considered by some to be the top overall prospect in the draft. The Giants could use Hunter as a full-time cornerback and a part-time receiver.
Drafting Abdul Carter (Penn State): Carter is considered the top pass rusher in the draft. Pairing Carter with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns would create a terrifying defensive front.
Passing on a Quarterback: If the Giants believe Wilson can be a bridge quarterback and are not sold on the available quarterback prospects, they could opt to draft a blue-chip talent like Hunter or trade down to acquire more assets.

The Stakes:

If Wilson falters or proves to be a short-term solution, and the Giants pass on a quarterback in the draft, Schoen and Daboll could find themselves in a precarious position. Missing the playoffs again could lead to significant changes in the front office.

Cleveland Browns: Deshaun Watson’s Replacement Plan

The Cleveland Browns’ acquisition of Deshaun Watson was a massive gamble that has yet to pay off. Watson’s injuries and inconsistent play have left the Browns searching for answers at the quarterback position. They traded for Kenny Pickett this offseason, but questions remain if he is the long-term answer. The Browns also signed Jameis Winston. With the No. 2 overall pick, the Browns have a golden opportunity to find Watson’s replacement.

Possible Scenarios:

Drafting Shedeur Sanders (Colorado): Despite rumors linking the Browns to Sanders, recent reports suggest they may be leaning towards Travis Hunter.
Drafting Travis Hunter (Colorado): Hunter could provide an immediate boost to the Browns’ offense, which ranked 32nd in the league in 2024.
Drafting Abdul Carter (Penn State): The Browns could pair Carter with Myles Garrett to create a dominant pass-rushing duo.
Trading back into the late first round to draft Jalen Milroe (Alabama): NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has reported that the Browns are interested in Milroe and could trade back into the late first round to draft him.

The Stakes:

The Browns have invested heavily in their roster, and their Super Bowl window is now. If they fail to find a franchise quarterback in this draft, they risk wasting the prime years of Myles Garrett and other key players.

Tennessee Titans: Desperate for a Signal Caller

The Tennessee Titans are in desperate need of a quarterback. Will Levis is not expected to return as the starter after struggling in 2024. The Titans have the No. 1 overall pick and are widely expected to use it on a quarterback.

Possible Scenarios:

Drafting Cam Ward (Miami): Ward is considered by many to be the top quarterback in the draft. He completed 67% of his passes in 2024 for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns. The Titans sent nearly their entire office to Miami for Ward’s pro day, signaling their strong interest.
Drafting Shedeur Sanders (Colorado): Despite the widespread expectation that the Titans will draft Ward, Emory Hunt of “With the First Pick” podcast believes that Sanders is a better fit for Titans head coach Brian Callahan.
Trading down: The Titans could trade down and select Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) in the second round.

The Stakes:

The Titans have invested in their offensive line this offseason, signaling their commitment to building around a young quarterback. If they whiff on their quarterback selection at No. 1, it could set the franchise back for years.

The Clock is Ticking

For the Giants, Browns, and Titans, the 2025 NFL Draft is more than just an opportunity to add talent. It’s a chance to define their future and potentially save jobs. With the stakes this high, the pressure is on to make the right decisions. One thing is for sure: the football world will be watching closely to see if these teams can hit a home run or strike out in Green Bay.