With the 2023 NFL draft now less than three weeks away, it’s time for another mock draft round-up for the Tennessee Titans — and the flavor of the month for this round-up is Tennessee trading up for a quarterback.
We’ve seen mock drafts for the Titans go through different phases this offseason as the team’s needs have evolved because of free agency.
First, the vast majority of experts had the Titans going with an offensive tackle at No. 11 overall, but things have shifted a bit since the signing of Andre Dillard, who is expected to man the left side.
Experts have begun mocking wide receivers more to the Titans at No. 11, but recent mock drafts have also seen Tennessee trading up for various quarterbacks, including one who many fans don’t want.
Now, here’s a look at several mock drafts out there, some of which have the Titans trading up to No. 3 with the Arizona Cardinals or even No. 9 with the Chicago Bears for a quarterback.
Will Brinson, CBS Sports: QB C.J. Stroud (trade up to No. 3)
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort spent the last few years in Nashville with the Titans — when the Texans shock everyone, this No. 3 pick turns into gold. The Titans can jump up for a reasonable price (No. 11, plus the Titans’ second-round pick and a fourth-round pick) and grab a QB after Malik Willis appeared to not be Mike Vrabel’s guy.
Jeff Risdon, Draft Wire: QB Anthony Richardson (trade up to No. 3)
What he’s saying (trade details):
Tennessee trades No. 11, No. 72 (3rd round) and No. 147 (5th round) and a 2024 first-round pick. Arizona trades No. 3 and No. 105 (4th round).
The 33rd Team: QB Will Levis, Kentucky (trade up to No. 3)
The Titans move from No. 11 to No. 3 to fill their big quarterback need. The Titans give up No. 11, No. 41, No. 72, and No. 147 to go along with a second-round pick in 2024. Will Levis (scouting report) will be a good fit in this city and with this team. The Titans feel like they are a quarterback away from being contenders in the AFC.
Josh Schrock, NBC Sports: QB Will Levis (trade up to No. 9)
Ryan Poles is open for business at No. 9. As Will Levis slides down the board, the Tennessee Titans call and offer the Bears the No. 11 pick and a third-round pick (No. 72) to move up two spots to take their quarterback of the future.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: QB Anthony Richardson (trade up to No. 3)
Richardson had his pro day last Thursday and he was impressive. He’s built like a defensive end, runs like a power back and can throw the football 80 yards and make it look easy. His athleticism and arm strength leave a lasting impression when you see him in person, as does the effortlessness with which he plays. But what he has in God-given ability he lacks in experience, so his best landing spot at the next level will be to a team with a veteran quarterback who can man the reigns for another year or two until he’s ready to take the next step. And if managed properly, that next step could truly be special. (Trade details: TEN gets No. 3 pick; ARI gets picks No. 11 and 41 in 2023 and a 2024 first-rounder).
Ben Arthur, FOX Sports: QB Anthony Richardson (trade up to No. 3)
The Titans jump to No. 3, making a deal with the Cardinals. Tennessee sends Nos. 11, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 first-rounder and a 2025 third-rounder to Arizona for the pick.
Six years after former Titans general manager Jon Robinson made a gutsy move in his first draft — dealing the No. 1 overall pick to the Rams for a massive package of draft picks — his successor makes a bold move in his first draft, taking a gamble that Richardson is Tennessee’s quarterback of the future.
Carthon or coach Mike Vrabel or both were at all the major quarterback pro days — Ohio State for C.J. Stroud, Alabama for Bryce Young, Kentucky for Will Levis, Florida for Richardson. Ryan Tannehill, who turns 35 in July, is under contract for just one more season, meaning the Titans have long-term quarterback uncertainty.
With Tennessee’s highest pick since 2017, it makes sense for the Titans to explore going after one of the blue-chip signal-callers in this draft, even at the expense of valuable draft capital.
The 6-foot-4, 244-pound Richardson is a tantalizing talent, a rare athlete at the quarterback position with outside linebacker size. He arguably has the most upside of any quarterback in this draft class. But he was just a one-year starter at Florida and completed just 53.8% of his passes for 17 touchdowns to nine interceptions in 2022. There are accuracy concerns.
In Tennessee, though, he would have a great veteran quarterback to learn behind in Tannehill, easing the transition process.
Adam Rank, NFL.com: WR Jordan Addison
There are people who are going to mock one of the remaining quarterbacks to you here, but I can’t tell you with certainty that any of those QBs are better than Malik Willis — or that they’re a threat to start Day 1. If you really want a signal-caller, my suggestion is to target Hendon Hooker later. Right now, though, you have to add a skill player. I’m still good with last year’s first-round receiver, Treylon Burks, but give him some help. You’re trying to make up for trading away A.J. Brown, and having two young studs under team control for a number of years could go a long way toward accomplishing that.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: OT Paris Johnson Jr.
Johnson Jr. is the best pure tackle in this class. The Titans signed Andre Dillard to play left tackle in free agency, but they have a second-year player at right tackle who could move to guard.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: QB Will Levis
The Titans can get out of Ryan Tannehill’s contract after the 2023 season, and that’s looking like it may be an inevitability for a retooling franchise that released a handful of highly paid veterans this offseason. Levis might sit in 2023, but from 2024 on, he and his relatively small cap hits would give Tennessee the opportunity to rebuild the roster in earnest.
Gilberto Manzano, Sports Illustrated: CB Devon Witherspoon
The Titans have a top-heavy defense with a ferocious front and would benefit from having a feisty cornerback such as Witherspoon, a polished playmaker with solid instincts on the field.
Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports: OT Broderick Jones
There are times when watching Jones’ tape when it looks like the defender gets hit by a truck when Jones first makes contact with them. He’s not a finished product yet and will benefit from reps, but the ceiling here is sky-high.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
I wanted to give the Titans an offensive tackle in this spot, but their need for help at wide receiver appears to be even more pressing right now.
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus: OT Paris Johnson Jr.
Johnson doesn’t necessarily have to play tackle right away thanks to his guard background if the Titans like what they have in Andre Dillard and Nicholas Petit-Frere. Tennessee can’t let its offensive line degrade again with how head coach Mike Vrabel wants to play football.
Joe Broback, Pro Football Network: WR Quentin Johnston
Imagine Treylon Burks and Quentin Johnston on the field together. It’d be tough for any quarterback to struggle with those two running routes downfield, and it opens the field up for star running back Derrick Henry.
Even if Ryan Tannehill’s not around for long, this pick makes his life easier. Should Malik Willis take over, there’s still plenty of excitement. If all else fails, they have the necessary pieces in place for a guy like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye to take over in 2024 (should the Titans struggle).
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: WR Quentin Johnston
The Titans need to think about going wideout again in the first round to help promising second-year player Treylon Burks. Johnston didn’t run the 40 at the Combine but his speed and vertical presence is evident on film as the former Horned Frogs big playmaker also made quick impressive work of the positional pass-catching drills.
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