Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon was made available to the media on Monday for the final time before the team embarks on the 2023 NFL draft, which begins on Thursday, April 27.
Normally the Titans make head coach Mike Vrabel available as well, but that was not the case this year.
The two biggest nuggets from Carthon’s press conference had to do with two of the team’s best players, safety Kevin Byard and running back Derrick Henry.
Carthon said Byard was asked to take a pay cut but did not request to be moved. He also shot down trade rumors surrounding Henry, while also saying he hasn’t received calls on the superstar back.
You can read more on Carthon’s comments on Byard right here, and more on his comments on Henry right here.
Carthon touched on several topics during Monday’s presser, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Here are the highlights from the session.
On Kevin Byard
#Titans GM Ran Carthon said they haven't received any calls about trading Derrick Henry. He also admitted they asked Kevin Byard to take a paycut but once again confirmed that Byard hasn't asked to be released or traded.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) April 24, 2023
Carthon on Byard: Talked to him about 2 and a half weeks ago. Our conversations will be with those guys. I just charge them to look at whatever comes out publicly unless it's a quote from me, Mike or Amy, 9/10 it's not true
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) April 24, 2023
On Derrick Henry
Titans GM Ran Carthon said he has not received trade calls on RB Derrick Henry & indicated reports about trading Henry are people just hoping things will stick.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 24, 2023
Ran Carthon on what people talk to him about when they see him and on Derrick Henry. #Titans pic.twitter.com/OLg3lTdOr7
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 24, 2023
On the scouting process
Ran Carthon said he has spent time incorporating some of how he does things and how asst. GM Chad Brinker in with what the #Titans staff was already doing.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) April 24, 2023
Ran Carthon mentions making the Titans personnel evaluation process "more inclusive" as one of their places of emphasis this cycle. Mentions involving the coaches and scouts with "everyone in the room"
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) April 24, 2023
Ran Carthon seems big on getting to know guys face to face in the evaluation process to learn them and their abilities, but also their personalities.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) April 24, 2023
On Ryan Tannehill
Ran Carthon on Ryan Tannehill: It's at every position, no disrespect to Ryan, but it's our job to evaluate every position.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) April 24, 2023
Carthon on Tannehill: Ryan and I had a conversation back in February. It was between Ryan and I. He knows where he stands with this organization and I'll leave it at that
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) April 24, 2023
On trading up or down
Carthon on calling other teams about moving around or clubs calling the Titans about 11: Just people being nosy
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) April 24, 2023
Carthon: You'll know on Thursday, who the teams are that are interested in coming up to 11 or moving down to 11.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) April 24, 2023
On drafting for need vs. best player available
Ran Carthon on evaluating need vs BPA. #Titans "You have to trust your board and stack them right not only vertically but also horizontally." pic.twitter.com/bkTPape3x4
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) April 24, 2023
On thinking about the draft
Ran Carthon: There was a night last week I woke up at 3:45 in the morning and said, 'Who the hell is going to be there at 11?'
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) April 24, 2023
On why Vrabel wasn't at the presser
How come no Mike Vrabel at today’s #Titans presser? Ran Carthon: pic.twitter.com/Vwd8j3J66H
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 24, 2023
On positions that are deep in the draft
Carthon mentioned WR, QB, OL as being positions that have strong depth in this draft class. #Titans
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) April 24, 2023
On QB C.J. Stroud
The #Titans didn't bring CJ Stroud in for a top 30 visit but GM Ran Carthon said Mike Vrabel and OC Tim Kelly spent extensive time with him at Ohio State's pro day. pic.twitter.com/QDOxImm07O
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) April 24, 2023
On WR Tank Dell
Ran Carthon on Tank Dell might reveal overall thoughts about smaller WRs. #Titans pic.twitter.com/OstMS8okeA
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) April 24, 2023
On drafting a QB
Carthon on taking a QB: All things are on the table. It's our job to look at everything. And it's not just a year-to-year thing.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) April 24, 2023
On injuries
Carthon on injuries: It's one thing if it's something that has been a recurring thing. It's another if it's a one-off thing.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) April 24, 2023
On recent free-agent signings
Cliff notes from Ran Carthon on the three free agents the #Titans signed recently. WR Chris Moore, TE Trevon Wesco and LB Ben Niemann. pic.twitter.com/VTtKSgFbct
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) April 24, 2023
On QB Will Levis using mayo in his coffee
Carthon says he's happy that he didn't see Will Levis but mayo in his coffee during his visit with the #Titans . Saw the video of him doing it and thought it was "strange."
Take with that information what you want
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) April 24, 2023
Recent headlines
