ESPN analyst explains why Tennessee Titans shouldn't select a QB in first round of 2022 NFL Draft
Over the last week, rumors have heated up that the Tennessee Titans could be targeting a quarterback in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder, specifically, is a player that Tennessee is rumored to be interested in with the No. 26 overall pick in the draft. On Wednesday, ESPN's […]
Over the last week, rumors have heated up that the Tennessee Titans could be targeting a quarterback in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder, specifically, is a player that Tennessee is rumored to be interested in with the No. 26 overall pick in the draft.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Jason Fitz appeared on 104.5 The Zone's The Buck Reising Show and explained why the Titans selecting a quarterback in the first round wouldn't be a good idea.
Here's what Fitz had to say:
"I have talked to every draft expert, not just at ESPN, I've talked to everyone I can get my hands on and I've asked this question: The No. 1 quarterback in this year's draft, whoever you might have as No. 1, where would that quarterback, if you invented a time machine and put him in last year's draft, where would that quarterback have ranked? The highest answer I've gotten was fourth. So the best quarterback in this year's class would have been the fourth quarterback picked last year. The lowest answer I got was seventh. So I want you to think about when you bank on a first-round pick at quarterback — I don't care if it's Desmond Ridder that Titans fans are in love with, I love the kid too. I want him to be super successful. And he's going to have a really good middle-of-the-road career where he's probably a backup. When you look at all of this across the board, you're taking someone that you don't intend to play for the next two years. You're going to waste two years. You're better off waiting until next year when we're anticipating one of the best quarterback draft classes we have ever seen. The Titans have a need at wide receiver and offensive line. There will be day one starters available at the end of the first round at both of those positions."
Fitz makes a great point. If that's how the quarterbacks in this year's draft class would've graded in a "normal" draft class, then it means the Titans could possibly be taking a quarterback in the first round that would be a third-round or fourth-round pick in most years.
Now, we've seen third-round and fourth-round quarterbacks end up having very successful careers (Russell Wilson for example). But those are few and far between. It's much more likely that Tennessee will waste a pick if they select a quarterback, instead of getting a potential day one starter at wide receiver or a quality offensive lineman.
I think it's wise that the Titans have looked at this from all angles and researched every possible scenario that could pop up on Thursday night.
But after missing on last year's first-round draft pick (cornerback Caleb Farley), the Titans can't afford to miss again this year (especially since they don't currently have a second-round pick).
Tennessee general manager Jon Robinson would be wise to go with a "safe pick" and take the best wide receiver or offensive lineman available at No. 26. Or maybe even trade down with a team like the Chicago Bears (a team without a first-round pick) for a 2023 first-round pick.
Who knows, maybe the Titans can end up with a high first-round pick next year (when there's a better quarterback class) by trading down. That could ultimately be the best-case scenario for Tennessee.
Featured image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com
