McShay's Mock Interesting For Titans And Colts

NASHVILLE - ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay has a new two-round mock draft out, and in it, he has the Indianapolis Colts pulling a shrood move while the Titans add perhaps the best player at his position to their roster in round one.

As for the Colts move, the boys in Indy make the jump that the Titans have been rumored to be considering, jumping one spot from No.4 to No.3 in a trade with Arizona, where they get their quarterback of the future.

Here are McShay's comments on the trade.

After the Bears traded the No. 1 pick, the Cardinals' No. 3 pick became highly valuable. It's apparent two quarterbacks will be drafted with the opening pair of picks, and the QB-needy Colts sit at No. 4. So any team that covets a potential franchise signal-caller better act fast, and moving up to No. 3 is the best bet.

In this scenario, it's actually Indy that makes the move, sliding up one spot to block any other teams trying to nab a passer and securing its guy in the process. And for Arizona, this is the best-case outcome. The Cards only drop one spot to No. 4, can still draft a dominant defender and pick up something in the ballpark of a third-rounder (No. 79) and a future second-rounder along the way.

As for their selection with both CJ Stroud (Carolina) and Bryce Young (Houston) off the board, McShay has the most gifted athlete among all quarterbacks, Anthony Richardson, headed to The Hoosier State.

I've heard mixed messages regarding the Colts' interest in quarterbacks not named Young and Stroud, but the veteran route just hasn't worked for them. They've started each of the past five seasons with a different starting QB, and they scored the NFL's fewest points in 2022 (15.8 per game). If either Richardson or Kentucky's Will Levis is Indy's guy, it can't afford to stay at No. 4 and just hope things work out.

There is obvious risk with Richardson, and it's certainly possible Gardner Minshew would be getting the Week 1 call. After all, Richardson has just 13 career starts and accuracy issues to work through, mainly stemming from poor footwork and still-developing touch. But you'd need to call in NASA to reach his sky-high ceiling. At 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds, Richardson ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and has the strongest arm in this class. If he puts it all together, he could be a star in the NFL. New Colts coach Shane Steichen might be the guy to get him there.

According to ESPN's Stats & Information, this would be the fourth time in the common draft era that quarterbacks go 1-2-3. The most recent occurrence came in 2021.

As for the Titans, McShay has them taking arguably the best receiver in the draft in former Ohio State Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

It's not often a team uses a top-20 pick on a wide receiver in back-to-back years. In fact, you need to go back to 2003-05 for the last time, when the Lions actually did it three times in a row. But there's no arguing that Tennessee needs playmakers, even after selecting Treylon Burks last year. The Titans' top four wideouts combined for 1,446 yards and six touchdowns last season; A.J. Brown -- whom Tennessee traded away -- surpassed those numbers on his own.

Smith-Njigba barely played in 2022, but he's just one year removed from cracking 1,600 receiving yards. He's such a good route runner, creating separation with high-end acceleration out of his breaks and hauling in passes with soft hands. He'd be an immediate favorite for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Speaking of Tannehill, I wouldn't rule out Tennessee drafting Levis as the future franchise signal-caller, especially since Malik Willis struggled in his rookie year. And I think Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. could make a lot of sense, too.

As for round two, it's not nearly as exciting, though McShay does have the Titans making somewhat of a surprise move in selecting Arkansas linebacker/pass rusher Drew Sanders at No.41 overall.

Our first inside linebacker is finally off the board. Tennessee signed Azeez Al-Shaair to replace David Long Jr., but Sanders does a little bit of everything. He had 111 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 10 run stops and an interception last season. His versatility, instincts and burst would be welcomed on a defense that gave up 5.4 yards per play last season (19th).

Looking at these two selections, it's possible that McShay could be correct on both, as Smith-Njiba has been heavily connected with the Titans, while Sanders would fill a position of need and, along with Michigan corner DJ Turner are the two best players available on McShay's remaining picks in his round two.

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