NEWSLETTER
So lately, there’s been some smoke around the Titans potentially moving up in the draft. While I don’t see it myself, NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah says he’s been told to keep an on the Titans as a team exploring a move up in the first round.
“Can I give you the team that I have been told to keep an eye on that’s exploring this and looking into this? Again, this is just people around the league who said do not sleep on Numero 11. The Tennessee Titans. The two teams to keep an eye on with the trade-ups were the Raiders and the Titans.”
Okay. So, Jeremiah is one of the big names in the NFL Draft world. I will trust that he has heard this information and consider the possibility that the Titans are doing their homework on a potential first-round shake-up.
What are the first-round implications of a Titans trade-up?
Scott Smith over at 4for4 is as well. Smith has the Titans trading with the Arizona Cardinals and moving up to No. 3 in his latest mock draft. With the third overall pick, the Titans would be in play for a quarterback and likely have their choice of two of the big four.
With C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young likely off the board, that leaves the Titans with Anthony Richardson or Will Levis. Smith has the Titans taking Richardson at No. 3 in his mock draft.
“The Titans have been actively shopping many of their top players. The early returns on Malik Willis were not positive and Ryan Tannehill enters what looks to be his final season in Tennessee. If the Titans are active in attempting to trade up for their QB of the future, Jeffery Simmons could be part of a package to do so. In this scenario, new GM Ran Carthon moves up and targets the massive upside of Richardson. Tannehill can act as a bridge and mentor to Richardson who will need time to develop. A red-shirt rookie year projects as the best situation for Richardson.”
That’s interesting, for sure. But, with Ryan Tannehill in tow for one more season, the Titans could be a nice landing spot for Richardson at third overall. It would give the Titans a year to develop Richardson before Tannehill is gone. And let’s be honest, it gives them a year to tank and secure a solid pick to add around Richardson in the 2024 NFL Draft.
They could also trade Malik Willis at that point. However, I’m not sure there will be much of a market for Willis are seeing him play in limited action with the Titans in 2022. If they kept him and really wanted to ensure another solid first-round pick in 2024, they could play him over Tannehill. That is if the move to No. 3 doesn’t cost them their 2024 first-rounder.
If Tennessee moves up to No. 3 (and takes a QB), the Seahawks could be the real winners here
Smith has the Seahawks taking Will Anderson Jr. at No. 5. Remember, most have Anderson going to the Cardinals at three and the Colts taking a QB.
So, Tennessee trading up with the Cardinals would have Anderson on the board at No. 5 for Seattle. Smith also has the Seahawks landing Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 20. That would be a massive haul for the Seahawks in round one if things played out as such.
4for4’s Ryan Noonan doesn’t have the Titans trading up in his latest mock draft. But he still has a nice haul for the Seahawks, who land Tyree Wilson (5th) and Zay Flowers (20) in the first round.
However, Noonan still has the Titans landing a QB in round one
After three quarterbacks went in the top four of Noonan’s mock draft, he has Will Levis falling to the Titans at No. 11.
“I think there’s a chance that the Titans trade up to 3, 5, or 6 with the hopes of selecting Will Levis, but for this exercise, I’m leaving them here at 11.
The Titans need to tear the entire thing down and start over, especially on the offensive side of the ball. They’re in the last year of Ryan Tannehill‘s deal, and we saw enough from Malik Willis last year to know that he’s not an NFL-caliber quarterback.
The offensive line and wide receiver are also areas of need for the Titans, who are likely better off staying put, selecting an offensive lineman, and bottoming out in hopes of being in the mix for next year’s top draft spot. Unfortunately, Mike Vrabel is too damn good and would drag this sorry group to six wins regardless.”
He also has the Texans adding a big name wide receiver for Bryce Young to throw to at No. 12. You can check out his complete mock draft over at our sister site, 4for4.
