How Russell Wilson’s NFL free agency decision could impact the Titans draft
NASHVILLE — Recently released Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has begun his cycle of visiting teams as a free agent, and the most recent development could have an impact on the Tennessee Titans in the 2024 NFL Draft. According to Adam Schefter, Wilson reportedly met with the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers this past […]
NASHVILLE — Recently released Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has begun his cycle of visiting teams as a free agent, and the most recent development could have an impact on the Tennessee Titans in the 2024 NFL Draft.
According to Adam Schefter, Wilson reportedly met with the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers this past week. The Giants are a logical fit for Wilson as the organization tries to find an answer at quarterback that is not named Daniel Jones and doesn’t cost draft capital. But Wilson being on the market complicates things for teams like the Titans.
No, the Titans are not in the market for a few agent quarterback, especially not one that wants to start in 2024. But the organization does need to find offensive playmakers, and the 2024 NFL Draft is a good opportunity to do just that. But the Titans draft position could become less favorable because of the Russell Wilson sweepstakes and where he eventually lands.
If Wilson were to sign with the Giants, he’d solve the quarterback problems in New York and be the starter for the 2024 season and possibly beyond. But that would also take the Giants out of the running for drafting a quarterback with the 6th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Whether it’s New York or another organization trading up to get their guy, a fourth quarterback (probably J.J. McCarthy) going in the first six picks is beneficial for the Titans. The more wide receivers and offensive linemen on the board, the better.
While I was in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, coaches from multiple AFC teams told me that they expect that exact situation to play out. Four quarterbacks, one wide receiver, and one offensive linemen in the top six, leaving Tennessee to choose between their WR2 and OT2. But people I spoke to also expect the Giants to take a wide receiver if they stick and pick with No. 6.
So why should Titans fans care about Russell Wilson potentially signing with the Giants? Because the Giants hold all of the cards that will have a domino effect on the Titans' draft. It makes anything New York does consequential for Tennessee.
If the Giants have Russell Wilson, maybe they are more inclined to stick and pick a wide receiver to pair with him. Maybe that takes a playmaker like Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze off the board before the Titans' pick, but also leaves J.J. McCarthy there at No. 7 in case Tennessee wants to trade back.
Anybody looking to move up for a quarterback actually needs said quarterback to be available. There’s no point in trading up to No. 7 for McCarthy if someone else is going to jump you and take him at six. New York drafting a wide receiver and signing Wilson would open that door.
On the flip side of things, signing Wilson could make the Giants more inclined to trade out. If you've got your answer at quarterback for the 2024 season, maybe you capitalize on the desperation of other teams by trading back for future draft capital. That would mean the four QB scenario becomes reality and the Titans can land the aforementioned Nabers or Odunze. Also not a bad place to be.
Both of those could turn out really well for Tennessee. But make no mistake about it, whatever the Giants do is going to have a large impact on what the Titans are capable of. Russell Wilson's free agency decision matters.
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