How Titans Trade Up to No. 3 Could Affect Texans NFL Draft Plans

The Tennessee Titans are reportedly exploring a trade up to No. 3. But if that happens, how would it affect the Houston Texans NFL Draft Plans?

According to reports, the Houston Texans' AFC South Rival Tennessee Titans are considering trading up in the NFL Draft later this month.

Per NFL insider Daniel Jeremiah, the Titans would move up from No. 11, potentially to No. 3 where the Arizona Cardinals currently sit, ahead of their fellow AFC South rivals, the Indianapolis Colts.

“Can I give you the team that I have been told to keep an eye on that’s exploring this and looking into this?” Jeremiah said. “Again, this is just people around the league who said, ‘Do not sleep on Numero 11.’ The Tennessee Titans. The two teams to keep an eye on with the trade-ups were the Raiders and the Titans.”

So why make the move?

It is unclear what the Titans could be targeting at No. 3 as of now. However, considering their struggles at the position last year, picking up a future franchise quarterback could be a logical answer.

Last season, the Titans drafted Malik Willis in Round 3, only for Willis to be forced into the starting role due to an injury to starter Ryan Tannehill. 

Not to mention Tannehill, who is in the final year of his contract, will likely be a free agent next offseason. 

And in his time as the starter, Willis largely struggled - including in a 19-14 loss to the Texans on Christmas Eve. 

Willis struggled so much so, in fact, that he was eventually benched for Josh Dobbs, who started the final two games of the season. 

So why does this affect the Texans?

Outside of the obvious potential of having to play against one of the top quarterbacks in the class for the foreseeable future, it also may force the Texans' hand.

Rumors have begun to emerge that the Texans could consider going with an edge like Will Anderson at No. 2 and waiting for a QB until their next pick.

But should Tennessee in fact move up to No. 3 with the intention of adding a QB, it would also mean the Texans will have a renewed urgency to pick their guy at No. 2 in order to secure their future. 

Otherwise, if the Texans elect to go in another direction at No. 2, and let Tennessee have their choice of QB at No. 3, it could put them in a peculiar position going forward at the most important position in sports. 

You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

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