Could The Titans Surprise Us All In Round One?

All the pre-draft speculation surrounding what position the Tennessee Titans will pick in round one has centered around three positions, but could there be a surprise coming?

Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE - As I write this, I'm prepared for the flaming from fans for the blasphemy I'm about to share here, but it's worth addressing nonetheless. 

As we draw closer to the start of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans have spent a considerable amount of their pre-draft scouting and preparation, focusing on three positions, quarterback, tackle, and receiver.    

While both are definite needs, and seeing general manager Ran Carthon use the team's first pick on any of those positions wouldn't surprise anyone, could he and the Titans go with another position instead?

While there has been growing talk of the Titans making a trade with Arizona up to No.3, which would almost certainly be for a quarterback, they are in a good spot if they sit tight at No.11.  

When looking into round one, it seems likely that at least three, possibly all four of the top quarterbacks, will go in the top ten.  Add Will Anderson, and despite his recent legal issues, Jalen Carter, and we've now used six of the ten selections in front of the Titans. 

In Todd McShay's most recent mock draft, this is almost exactly the scenario he projects, with Levis falling down the first round.  

The others in his top ten include edge rushers Tyree Wilson and Luke Van Ness, tackle Peter Skoronski, and cornerbacks Devin Witherspoon and Christian Gonzalez.    

If the Titans sit patiently and wait at No.11, Levis, if the draft falls as McShay has mocked it, then they would have a shot at a quarterback many have suggested they are interested in at no additional cost in draft trade compensation. 

Also, some other exciting prospects would still be on the board, like cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr., Emmanuel Forbes, edge speed rusher Nolan Smith, and the top three tight ends in the class, all there for the taking.   

While most of these players have not spent significant time with the Titans leading up to the draft, the Titans have certainly done their homework behind the scenes to know these players, and should they have one of these other guys rated highly enough on their big board, the possibility of them going with a position other than the most discussed three does exist. 

No, I'm not projecting this, but it is worth considering and writing about because it isn't outside the realm of possibility. 

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