Are the Titans One of Six Teams to Call Cardinals About Trading Up?

NASHVILLE — With just a few short weeks until the NFL draft takes place, the rumor mill is about to heat up in a big way. That already happened on Monday morning when ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that six teams have contacted the Arizona Cardinals about potentially trading up to the number three overall pick. Are the Titans one of those six teams? Odds say yes.

At least six teams have inquired with the Arizona Cardinals about trading up for the third overall pick in the upcoming April 27 NFL Draft, per league sources. Cardinals still are mulling whether to move pick or make it.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 10, 2023

For starters, the Titans have been doing their homework on all of the top quarterbacks. Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis are considered the top tier of quarterbacks in this draft and you might be able to add Hendon Hooker’s name in there as well. The Titans have had confirmed visits with some of the quarterbacks and have had someone from the organization present at each of the prospects’ pro days.

With that in mind it is hard to imagine the Titans not being one of the teams that has been in contact with the Cardinals. Monti Ossenfort, the new Cardinals’ general manager, was just with the Titans’ front office, so a connection is there that would grease the skids for a deal. Two questions come to mind immediately. Who are the Titans aiming for and who are the other five teams involved?

As for the player, with the assumption it is a quarterback, you would have to think it would be Stroud or Young or Richardson the Titans have their eyes on. Young may be the best prospect of them all and if not for size concerns, he would be the slam dunk number one pick. With Stroud, he has the Ohio State connection with Vrabel and Titans’ GM Ran Carthon mentioned two qualities he looks for in a quarterback earlier this offseason, accuracy and anticipation, and those are the two things Stroud does better than anyone else in the class. Richardson has historic athleticism and upside while also coming from Carthon’s alma mater in Florida.

As for other teams, you have to think the Indianapolis Colts have called. They may sit a pick away from number three, but if they really like a guy who is there, they would be smart not to wait. The Las Vegas Raiders could make some sense. The signed Jimmy Garoppolo in the offseason, but should still be looking at young passers. Maybe the Atlanta Falcons at pick eight would think about jumping up if they don’t believe in second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder. Other options include the Minnesota Vikings or Washington Commanders.

What we know for sure is this, the Cardinals want this out there to help get better return for a trade. Having all the competing teams know just how competitive the market is will only end up getting them better packages in return. So, if the Titans really are one of the six teams calling, the price just went up.

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