Selecting No. 11 overall in Thursday’s NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans have a major need at the quarterback position.
Tennessee is slated to go with veteran Ryan Tannehill as its starting quarterback. A third-round pick out of Liberty last year, Malik Willis has fallen out of favor after a disastrous rookie season.
Unfortunately for new general manager Ran Carthon and Co., there is a darn good chance that none of the four top-tier quarterbacks will be available at 12.
It has led to some speculation that the Titans might look to move up from that spot. Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston reports that Tennessee is targeting the Arizona Cardinals’ first-round pick (No. 3 overall) in a trade-up scenario with Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud being the potential selection.
All of this is dependent on what the Houston Texans do with the second pick. Right now, it seems as if they are targeting Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson and are prepared to pass up on a quarterback altogether.
Interestingly enough, Houston also boasts the 11th pick in the draft — acquired from the Cleveland Browns in the Deshaun Watson blockbuster last year. If the Tennessee Titans were to remain at 12, the Texans might select one of their target quarterbacks a pick before.
As for a potential move up from 12 to three, Arizona is said to be mulling offers from multiple teams for that selection. It has no need for a quarterback with Kyler Murray in the mix. The Cardinals are also said to be targeting the aforementioned Anderson. If he goes to Houston at two, a trade down makes even more sense.
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Any move up with Arizona would require Tennessee giving up its first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This is part of the package that the Carolina Panthers sent to the Chicago Bears to trade up from nine to No. 1 overall earlier in the offseason.
From there, Tennessee would have to give up its second-round pick on Friday (41st overall) and more to entice a rebuilding Cardinals team.
What we do know is that the Tennessee Titans’ current quarterback situation is not sustainable. On the trade block heading into Thursday’s NFL Draft, Tannehill has taken a step back in each of the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Willis threw zero touchdowns compared to three interceptions in eight games (three starts) as a rookie. He is not an option.