Peter King links C.J. Stroud with Titans ahead of NFL Draft

NBC Sports' Peter King has become the latest insider to link the Tennessee Titans with Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud ahead of the NFL Draft. 

In his mock draft that he shared for Monday's edition of his "Football Morning in America" column, King predicted that the Titans will trade with the Arizona Cardinals to obtain the No. 3 overall pick and move ahead of the division-rival Indianapolis Colts in the draft order. From there, Tennessee could grab Stroud to have him sit behind veteran Ryan Tannehill for at least a portion of the 2023 season. 

Tennessee currently holds the draft's 11th selection. Tannehill, meanwhile, is in the final year of his contract, turns 35 this summer and appears no closer to signing an extension with the club than he was in February. 

"It would serve Arizona’s purpose of getting significant draft capital—trading down eight spots for either a one next year or maybe three picks in the top 75 over this draft and 2024," King wrote about the potential trade. "And the Titans, who I hear have lost faith in (2022 third-round pick) Malik Willis, might be in a unique position here. Coach Mike Vrabel is tight with Ohio State coach Ryan Day. Vrabel will get the real about Stroud from Day, and I think that real will be mostly positive. And Vrabel will be a good coach for Stroud." 

ESPN NFL Draft guru Todd McShay mentioned last week that Vrabel, who played his college football at Ohio State, has an existing "relationship" with Stroud. ESPN's Matt Miller later predicted that the Titans could send four draft assets, including a 2024 first-round selection and a 2025 first-round choice, to Arizona specifically to land Stroud and keep him from falling to the Colts. 

For what it's worth, King has Indianapolis drafting Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Will Levis with the fourth pick. 

However, CBS Sports' Will Brinson believes Stroud could drop to the Titans at choice No. 11.