Tennessee Titans add signal caller in 2014 PFF re-draft

USA Today

30-06-2025

The NFL draft is always a flurry of activity, met with instant analysis and grades on every pick. It's often fun to look back and see what would have happened if a player's NFL performance were factored in. But, sometimes, redrafts of past drafts, where a player's career has been played out, are even more fun.
The Tennessee Titans would love to be able to go back and re-draft a few of their classes over the years. While they have hit on a few players, others are epic failures. It's a good thing for Titans fans that the team at Pro Football Focus (PFF) loves to redraft past classes and see what could have been.
In their latest entry, PFF decided to look back at the 2014 NFL draft to see how things could have been if the Houston Texans opened the draft by selecting all-time great Aaron Donald first overall instead of David Carr. Eventually, they made their way to the Titans at No. 11 and also made a significant change.
11. Tennessee Titans: QB Jimmy Garoppolo, Eastern Illinois (Round 2, Pick 62)
Original Pick: T Taylor Lewan, Michigan
Three quarterbacks started at least five games for the Titans in 2014: Zach Mettenberger, Charlie Whitehurst, and Jake Locker. Tennessee opts for some consistency here with Garoppolo, who has been mostly an average quarterback in the NFL, posting a 79.9 career PFF overall grade so far.
He did almost lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl victory in 2019, but it's the much-needed quarterback-room stability he provides that makes him the 11th pick in this redraft.
Lewan was a solid pick, and his legacy in Nashville cannot be overlooked. The offensive tackle came in and solidified the Titans' offensive line for an extended period. However, had the Titans taken Garoppolo, things might have been different.
While never a superstar, Garoppolo was a consistent quarterback who proved he could be a successful signal caller in the league, even leading the San Francisco 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance. During that period, the Titans were in quarterback purgatory and could have used a steady playmaker at the helm to steer the offense; he would have been a solid value and a good pick.
Looking back, while adding a quarterback would have been a flashy move, the focus on the offensive line was probably the right way to go. No quarterback can be successful without a solid line in front of them. If you don't believe me, just look back at the 2024 Titans' offense from 2024. So, while Garoppolo would have garnered some headlines, Lewan was likely the right choice.