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Is This A Quarterback Or Bust Draft For The Titans?
NASHVILLE - On Monday, Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon addressed the media during the team’s annual pre-draft press conference, and one thing that came from that meeting that seems abundantly clear is that Ryan Tannehill will be the team’s starter this season.
Entering the final year of his contract, Tannehill has been rumored to be on the trading block, but if you listen to what Carthon said on Monday, it seems the Titans have been committed to him as their guy in 2023, though not likely beyond.
“Just to let you guys in, Ryan and I had a conversation back in February that was between Ryan and I and Ryan and our organization,” Carthon said. “So Ryan knows where he stands with us and that’s really are that matters to me.”
Last week when the Titans players began their OTA’s, Tannehill was prominently pictured in attendance in a photo released by the team.
What’s the significance of this?
If the Titans had any intentions of moving him, they would not want him working out with them, where the possibility of an injury could occur. Considering his massive contract, it would be hard enough for them to trade him; they wouldn’t want to add another injury to his history.
While I could be wrong, and I’ve been told as much on Monday, it’s my opinion that whatever the Titans draft plans are concerning a quarterback, if they select one, that player will sit and learn from the veteran. Tannehill has known this since that February conversation with Carthon.
As for which quarterback the Titans might be targeting, we can rule out Bryce Young; he’s about to be a Carolina Panther. Also, despite his reported poor score on the S@ Eval Test, I don’t see CJ Stroud falling past Indianapolis at No.4 unless those nasty rumors of their love for Will Levis are true.
That leaves Anthony Richardson, Levis (if Indy doesn’t select him), and Hendon Hooker as possible candidates.
Richardson is by far the most athletically talented but also has a higher floor. He only started 13 games in his Florida career, and some of his films are hard to watch. While the potential is there, the inconsistency can't be disregarded.
Levis was outstanding as a junior but regressed in his final season in Lexington, partly due to a change in his offensive coordinator, poor offensive line play in front of him, and injuries. There's also the part about his accuracy, which noticeably declines when he's asked to throw the football with touch. To use a baseball analogy, he's a fastball pitcher who, if on a diamond, would likely be a closer, not a starter who could give you five or six innings, because he doesn't have a second pitch.
The question is, can he be coached up and learn touch?
Hooker is older- already 25- and is coming off an injury, but the prevailing thought is that the Titans like him, though I doubt he would be a candidate at No.11. Still, he could come into play in round two at No.41-if available- and if he is their guy. Some people are of the belief you don't draft a quarterback outside the first round, but Jalen Hurts just signed the richest contract in league history, and he was a round-two guy.
So which one is it?
A case can be made that the Titans might like each of them, but for me, if I'm going to select a quarterback at No.11, and each has boom-or-bust potential, give me the guy with the highest ceiling, and that's Richardson.
As for the Titans, it seems some signs could indicate they are leaning toward Levis, or is it Stroud if he should fall?
He fits the physical makeup, has the talent, and played in a similar offense at Kentucky. Carthon attended his pro day. Also, he- like Richardson and Hooker- came to Nashville as a top 30 visitor. Lastly, of all three of these quarterbacks, Levis- remember the Colts- seems the most likely to still be on the board at No.11 where the Titans could select him without additional cost.
It's been reported that Mik Vrabel was overheard telling Stroud to meet him after his shower following his pro day in Columbus. Vrabel is a fellow Buckeye, and early reports indicated that Stroud was the perceived top choice for Tennessee.
That thought seemed to change when Carolina moved up to No.1 to grab a quarterback. That meant that Houston, at No.2, would be all about Stroud. That held true for a bit, but now recent rumors indicate the Texans might not be sold on Stroud.
Should Stroud slide to 11, I feel the Titans would jump to take him.
Having said that, I'm still in the thought process of trading back to obtain more picks to fill more needs, but if one of these guys falls to me without having to trade up to get them, I would have to consider going for it seriously.
In the end, the Titans might want to get a quarterback of the future because there are no guarantees that they will be this close to the top of the draft again soon, but it might not play out where that happens.
If it doesn't, then they will have to explore other options beginning next season.
Isn't it nice to sit on the sideline with all the answers and not have to make the decisions? Because right now, this whole thing is clear as mud.
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