For the second time this offseason, there’s a mock that has the Tennessee Titans trading up in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft to select a quarterback.
Earlier this month, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin had Tennessee making a trade to move up to No.19 overall in order to pick Ole Miss signal-caller, Matt Corral.
Now, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter is getting in on the fun. He has the Titans trading with the Baltimore Ravens of all teams (yuck) to move up to the No. 14 pick, where they select North Carolina quarterback, Sam Howell.
Reuter has the Titans paying a hefty price, though. In order to move up, the Titans deal their 2022 and 2023 first-rounders to Baltimore. Here’s Reuter’s take on the trade and selection of Howell at No. 14 overall:
The three interceptions that Ryan Tannehill threw in Tennessee’s Divisional Round loss to Cincinnati have to be a constant thorn in the minds of Titans coaches. It won’t, therefore, be a surprise if they give up a 2023 first-round pick to grab the team’s next starter. Howell has the arm to move the ball vertically as well as the toughness and improvisation skills to move the chains on a regular basis.
As Reuter correctly points out, Tannehill’s horrid showing in the playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals has no doubt soured his outlook with the Titans, making it possible the team takes a quarterback in this year’s draft.
However, general manager Jon Robinson would have to be in absolute love with Howell make this trade, especially when there’s a very good chance the North Carolina product will be around at No. 26 overall or later.
While the thought of the Titans grabbing their quarterback of the future via a trade up or No. 26 overall selection is an exciting notion, neither seems like a feasible move for a few reasons.
For starters, this isn’t considered a good class for quarterbacks, so going all out isn’t a good idea to begin with. On top of that, the Titans have bigger fish to fry at wide receiver, offensive line (guard and tackle) and tight end.
As far as the rest of the picks Reuter makes for the Titans, there isn’t a lot to like. In the third round, he has Tennessee taking Maryland tight end Chig Okonkwo, who is a solid player but probably a Day 3 pick.
With their two fourth-round picks, the Titans take Alabama running back, Brian Robinson, and Cincinnati edge rusher, Myjai Sanders.
Both are no doubt intriguing prospects, but there will be a mutiny from the fans if Tennessee foregoes addressing positions of need like wide receiver and offensive line in favor of what can be considered two positions of strength.
It’s a big “no” all day on this mock draft.
