The reason why the Titans didn’t bring in C.J. Stroud for a pre-draft visit
Each draft cycle, every NFL team is given the opportunity to host up to 30 different visits in the team facility for upcoming draft prospects. These visits, most commonly referred to as "Top 30 visits," allow teams to run medical tests, ask questions, and connect on a personal level with the players they are considering […]
Each draft cycle, every NFL team is given the opportunity to host up to 30 different visits in the team facility for upcoming draft prospects. These visits, most commonly referred to as "Top 30 visits," allow teams to run medical tests, ask questions, and connect on a personal level with the players they are considering drafting.
So why in the world would a team like the Tennessee Titans, who have done extensive research on all of the top quarterbacks in this draft class and are considering using their first round pick on a quarterback, not bring Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud in for a Top 30 visit?
Titans GM Ran Carthon answered that very question when speaking to the media on Monday afternoon.
Every team has a different process and different priorities when a prospects steps into their building for a visit. For Carthon and the Titans, it's all about getting to know each player as a person and understanding how they fit into the culture of the organization.
"I think the big picture of bringing a guy in is just getting your hands on him," said Carthon on Monday. "The tape is the tape, and you'll hear me say it all the time, but I'd rather get to know the person. I can go sit and watch the tape for the next six hours and figure that part out. But we need to make sure that we're getting the right people in here and in this building and in this community."
Carthon went on to describe how he feels the Titans' process during visits is unique and really allows the organization to see the true character of a player.
"I think we have a really cool process," Carthon said. "I feel like we truly get to know some of these kids. You have some of the kids that come in and I feel like some guys you see a totally different person. Now again, it's a job interview, everybody's best face is on, but I feel like when we've sat down with these kids, you get the genuine person of who they really are."
49ers GM John Lynch tipped his cap to Ran during San Francisco's pre-draft press conference, saying that Carthon has a special talent for recognizing strong character and "having a good feel for people."
So again, why would a GM that values character and face-to-face interaction so much choose not to bring in one of the top quarterback prospects in for a visit, despite meeting with the other top QBs in the class?
Because the Titans already have enough confidence in Stroud's character and a visit would not have revealed any new information. Mike Vrabel is an Ohio State alumni, and the Titans' head coach has spent enough time with Stroud to get a great feel for who he is as a person.
"Mike [Vrabel] and Tim [Kelly] spent time with him in Columbus at the Pro Day and they feel good about him as a person," Carthon said of Stroud not having a visit with the Titans.
Carthon believes that when it comes to quarterbacks, seeing them interact in their own environment (Pro Day) might be even more important than what they show you at the NFL Combine or a Top 30 visit.
"I think it's key to see them in their environment that they've spent the last three, four, or five years in. Get to see them in their comfort zone. Get to see them with their teammates and see how people interact [with them]," said Carthon. "I think that's where you really get to see from quarterbacks their leadership style and what they can bring to your organization."
So, no, the Titans' choice to not bring C.J. Stroud in for a visit when Will Levis, Anthony Richardson, and Hendon Hooker all had one does not mean Tennessee is out on him as a prospect. If anything, the Titans' confidence in Stroud's character is an endorsement of the leader he will be at the next level.