Stroud to Titans Buzz: ‘There is No Way He Gets Past Tennessee at That Spot’
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have been heavily involved with the quarterbacks in this year’s draft class. Sitting at pick 11, the odds are low that they get their guy and probably still low that any of the top four quarterbacks make it to 11 at all. However, according to a recent draft buzz article by ESPN, a league executive thinks that Ohio State’s CJ Stroud could slide on draft and if so, the Titans would be his floor.
According to draft analyst Jordan Reid from ESPN, that league executive explained his thoughts on Stroud’s draft projection and how the Titans fit in via Reid.
"I think his slide could be similar to [Justin] Fields' and he went at 11," one league executive shared with me last week. "There's no way [Stroud] gets past Tennessee at that spot. ... With [Ryan] Tannehill entering his last year of the deal, it makes sense."
This would be a dream scenario for the Titans. Not only do they get their quarterback of the future, but they don’t have to trade up to get him and lose additional picks in the process. For a team in a tough spot with the roster, that is a massive win. Not only that, but Stroud is more pro-ready than other options like Will Levis or Anthony Richardson and he is more of a prototypical size than Bryce Young. Stroud also went to Titans head coach Mike Vrabel’s alma mater. The intel on Stroud should, in theory, be strongest for the Titans.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also acknowledged that in the same draft buzz article.
“As Jordan noted, sources I've talked to agree that Tennessee at No. 11 is a good floor to consider for Stroud. Coach Mike Vrabel's Ohio State ties should give him intimate knowledge on Stroud's game,” Fowler said.
It would still be hard seeing Stroud fall this far in the draft despite some negative testing rumors, but if he does, the Titans will surely be waiting with open arms. Not only does it potentially solve the quarterback issue going forward, but it allows you to part ways with Ryan Tannehill and save $18-27 million in salary cap space, depending on the timing of the cut. Solving a major football issue and a financial issue while giving up no additional draft capital is an ideal way for Carthon to start his tenure and that is why it still feels too good to be true.
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