The prevailing thought in the minds of many is that the Tennessee Titans would have no shot to trade up to the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, as that selection is owned by a division rival, the Houston Texans.
However, that is not necessarily the case. In fact, Texans general manager Nick Caserio said recently that the team would be willing to deal with its AFC South foes.
“We’ll trade with anybody,” Caserio said on the “Payne & Pendergast” show on Sports Radio 610 [KILT-AM]. “Just philosophically, if it’s the best thing, if it matches up, and you feel comfortable making the trade, then we’ll go ahead and do it.”
Caserio went on to point to his days with the New England Patriots as an example of his willingness to pull off a trade within the division.
“We made some trades in our division even going back when I was in New England,” he added. “So, if you start to take that philosophy, again, it’s a little bit narrow-minded, so, again, ultimately, if it’s the best thing for your team, then you’ll deal with whatever comes along with it.”
While that’s all well and good, a lot would have to happen for the Titans to be able to trade up to No. 2, a spot that would guarantee them either C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young, with the former being more likely.
Not only would the quarterback-needy Texans and their defensive-minded head coach have to pass on both a signal-caller and an elite defender like Will Anderson at No. 2, the Titans would also have to jump eight other teams with a better first-round pick to get there — and some of those teams need a QB.
And, one of those quarterback-needy teams is also a division rival in the Indianapolis Colts, who own the No. 4 overall pick.
At the end of the day, I think the Texans stick and grab themselves either a quarterback or Anderson. The real spot to watch for the Titans will be No. 3 via the Arizona Cardinals, but some of the same hurdles apply and I don’t believe the Titans even consider it unless Young or Stroud are there.
