NFL Draft: 5 surprise teams that should trade up for C.J. Stroud

Zach Wilson is not the guy for the New York Jets, but C.J. Stroud just might be

What gives Gang Green a real shot at trading up for Stroud is that the New York Jets are failing fast with Zach Wilson. They took him No. 2 overall behind Trevor Lawrence to Jacksonville, but ahead of most notably Justin Fields, who fell all the way to No. 11 where the Chicago Bears traded up for him. Mike White may be a bit of a cult hero, but Stroud could be exactly what the Jets need.

Arm talent, pocket awareness and thriving in a northern climate should all translate marvelously if Stroud were to become a Jet. This would of course require Gang Green to move up from the late teens to be in a position to take him. While they may go with a stop-gap like the Buccaneers will probably do if Brady retires, Robert Saleh is a good head coach with a strong roster to work with.

Not to say the Jets are a quarterback away, but a quality prospect could change their fortunes fast.

The Tennessee Titans are nosediving with Ryan Tannehill unable to play for them

There are plenty of teams that will likely be picking towards the top of the draft who could use a quarterback. While nobody would be shocked if the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers or Las Vegas Raiders ended up going in that direction in the first round, what is to say the Tennessee Titans do not do the same?

While the Colts and Texans have been season-long disasters, Tennessee is in a complete nosedive of late, having lost six in a row. It has gotten so bad that the Jacksonville Jaguars may win the AFC South now. With Ryan Tannehill out for the season with an injury, the Titans will see plenty out of rookie third-rounder Malik Willis. If he is not their guy, then they could trade up to select Stroud.

If they end up picking inside the top 12, the Titans may move up with their new general manager.