3 best draft scenarios for the Tennessee Titans

The possibilities are endless for the Tennessee Titans in the 2023 NFL Draft.  Tennessee has a need on the offensive line, at wide receiver, and could potentially be in the market for a quarterback if the right prospect comes around. So what's an ideal scenario for the Titans in the upcoming draft? Should fans hope Tennessee […]

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The possibilities are endless for the Tennessee Titans in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Tennessee has a need on the offensive line, at wide receiver, and could potentially be in the market for a quarterback if the right prospect comes around. So what's an ideal scenario for the Titans in the upcoming draft? Should fans hope Tennessee trades up? Trades back? What players should the Titans hope are available at 11?

Here's a look at three draft day scenarios that I believe would be the best possible outcomes for the Titans. 

1- Paris Johnson Jr. falls to 11

The Titans' need for offensive line help cold not be more obvious. Even with the free agent signings of LT Andre Dillard and OL Daniel Brunskill, Tennessee still has a vacant spot at left guard for 2023.

While there are plenty of interior offensive linemen that will be capable of filling that void and available on day two of the draft, it may be in the Titans' best interest to take the draft's top offensive tackle in Paris Johnson Jr.

There are questions about whether or not Dillard can be Tennessee's long-term solution at left tackle, but even if he can't, he's more than capable of moving inside and being a starting caliber guard. Bringing Johnson into the fold adds another versatile lineman to the mix that could be the Titans' starter for the next five years.

Atlanta (8th) and Chicago (9th) are both threats to take an offensive lineman in the first round, so it would be somewhat surprising if Johnson made it out of the top 10, but a scenario where he's still on the board at 11 is really goods news for Tennessee. Johnson would be a safe pick at a position of need, and it doesn't get much better than that.

2- Titans can move up for C.J. Stroud

In a recent mock draft from Will Brinson of CBS Sports, Brinson brought up a scenario in which the Houston Texans pass on a quarterback with the 2nd overall pick, and the Titans are able to move up for C.J. Stroud.

Here's what Brinson wrote about Houston's selection of Will Anderson Jr. at number two:

The Texans are PROBABLY taking a quarterback at No. 2, but they also turned down a chance to move into the first pick, (presumably) knowing the Bears had other suitors for the spot. So what if they're just happy with one of the Alabama players? Houston took two of them last year with Nick Caserio in charge after Jack Easterby's ousting. It would seriously shake up the draft in a fun way.

This scenario is the longest of long shots. It's almost impossible to picture the Texans passing on a quarterback in the first round, even if Young is their favorite in the class and he goes to Carolina. 

Moving up to the number three spot will not come cheap, but if Tennessee has an opportunity to move up and land Stroud, they would be foolish not to. Stroud has everything Ran Carthon, Mike Vrabel and the Titans look for in a quarterback, and bringing him in now gives clear direction and a bright future to a franchise in need of a spark.

3- Anthony Richardson falls to 11

Moving up to number three and drafting Anthony Richardson would be exciting for some and concerning for others. There are questions about the Florida QB's college production and capabilities as an NFL passer after he completed just 53.8 percent of his passes in his final year in Gainesville. 

The upside is obvious. Richardson may be the most gifted athlete the NFL Draft has ever seen, but moving up eight spots in the first round would cost Tennessee a haul of draft picks and hinder their ability to patch up roster holes down the line.

If Richardson falls outside of the top ten, though, that's a completely different story.

I'm not sure anyone could fault the Titans for taking a chance on Richardson's upside if they are fortunate enough to land him without needing to give up additional draft picks. 

Drafting Richardson at 11 would allow Tennessee to either keep Tannehill as their starter in 2023 while Richardson develops or designate Tannehill as a Post-June 1st release and clear $27 million in cap space. That money might be essential for acquiring new talent at wide receiver.