The Tennessee Titans will officially be on the clock when the No. 11 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft comes up on Thursday night — that is, unless they pull off a trade.
And, based on rumors floating around the last few days, it appears they are, at the very least, interested in moving up to No. 3, and their reported intention is to select Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud if they do so.
Here’s the report from Aaron Wilson of Click2Houston, who also reports it’ll be “a major surprise” if the Houston Texans take Stroud at No. 2 overall, opening the door for Stroud to be there at No. 3:
Where will Stroud wind up if the Texans don’t pick him? The Tennessee Titans are exploring a potential trade up to the Arizona Cardinals’ third overall selection with Stroud their target, according to league sources.
A few days ago, I made my final pick for the Titans’ first-round selection in Peter Skoronski. If I had been armed with this information when I made the pick, it would’ve been Stroud.
Taking this most recent rumor into consideration, the Titans trading up to draft Stroud leads my list of five predictions for what the team will do in the 2023 NFL draft.
Titans trade up, select C.J. Stroud
As far as I’m concerned, the best-case scenario sees the Titans land the second-best quarterback in this year’s draft in Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, whether that be via a trade up or in their current first-round slot.
Obviously, the latter scenario is preferred, but the Titans just need to find a way to land Stroud if they truly believe he’s the guy for the next decade-plus, which I think he can be.
Of course, Tennessee will have to give up multiple picks to pull off such a trade, which will likely hurt their draft capital this year and next; however, the Titans will be flush with cap space in 2024, giving the team another avenue to surround its new quarterback with talent in the next few years.
Titans acquire an extra pick in 2023
After dropping picks on a move up for Stroud, the Titans will find an avenue to acquire another pick, bringing their total back up to six if we assume the package for No. 3 involves two selections from this year.
How Tennessee goes about that remains to be seen, but they will have a pair of expendable quarterbacks if they draft Stroud in Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis, assuming the Titans view Stroud as a Year 1 starter.
Other big trade possibilities to keep in mind but are less likely involve Kevin Byard, who was reportedly “at a crossroads” with the team after declining a pay cut, and Derrick Henry, who has had rumors swirling around him all offseason long.
I don’t think either gets moved, by the way.
Titans draft two wide receivers
There is no position weaker on this team right now than the wide receiver spot, an area the Titans have done nothing to improve in free agency. In fact, Tennessee has found a way to get worse at the position.
Knowing that, the Titans are going to double dip at wide receiver, with the team utilizing one Day 2 pick and one Day 3 pick to fill their needs. Ideally, the Titans leave this draft with more size and speed in their receiving corps. behind Treylon Burks.
Titans go heavy offense
There’s no question the Titans’ defense is the strength of this team right now, even with some of the question marks at different positions. As such, the Titans should be focused heavily on offense.
And I think that’ll ultimately be the approach.
Tennessee will add Stroud, two receivers and at least one offensive lineman, but I could see the Titans double dipping in that area, also. If not, put me down for a pick of a tight end on Day 3.
Titans draft a kicker
We know how big of a crapshoot late-Day 3 picks are, so why not go after a position that has a better chance to work out?
The Titans need some competition for 2022 UDFA Caleb Shudak, who has the leg strength the Titans are looking for but a lack of experience. If the plan isn’t to bring in a veteran, drafting a kicker is the next best thing.
My personal preference is Michigan’s Jake Moody, who I believe is the No. 1 kicker in this draft. If he’s still sitting around in the seventh, the Titans should jump on it.
If they don’t take a kicker, look for the Titans to sign a UDFA at the position following the end of the draft on Saturday.
