It’s not often that the team at the very top of the NFL Draft order has relatively few crying needs, but examining the Tennessee Titans roster certainly leads us to that conclusion. Quarterback is clearly off the table for the franchise, a huge relief in this (or any) class, especially considering how outstanding Marcus Mariota was in a bad situation last year.
Offseason additions of running back DeMarco Murray and center Ben Jones filled big holes on the team’s offensive unit, as both players should help take some pressure off Mariota this season. Needs at wide receiver and safety were also softened by the signings of Rishard Matthews and Rashad Johnson, and while the team will likely fortify both positions at some point in the draft, the first overall pick won’t be the spot to do it.
That leaves Tennessee with a couple major needs to address at the top end of the draft: offensive tackle, defensive line, and cornerback.
Unless Tennessee trades back (more on that in a minute), I can’t see any defensive linemen worthy of the top overall selection. In Tennessee’s odd-man front, Joey Bosa would not be an ideal fit as an outside linebacker, and while nose tackle and a 3-4 end remain priorities in the draft, no one at either position in this class fits the value at no. 1.
That leaves Tennessee with two draftable options and the wild card move of trading down that would be sure to send shivers down the spine of every mock drafter on the planet. The good news is that regardless of what Tennessee chooses to do, the team appears to be in a great spot to address their two biggest needs or acquire additional picks/talent.
You can stay at no. 1 and draft an all-world talent at left tackle in
Mississippi’s Laremy Tunsil, pushing incumbent Taylor Lewan to the right side to fortify the edges for Mariota in 2016. Tunsil is NFL-ready with his power, technique, and athleticism, yet still has not reached his ceiling and will continue to improve at the next level. The pick would allow Tennessee to fill arguably its biggest need on the roster, while also getting the highest value in my number one overall player.
Of course, Tennessee could change things up and select Florida State cornerback/safety Jalen Ramsey, undoubtedly to play on the outside in Nashville. Ramsey is my no. 3 overall player right now, and not only brings starter’s ability to a defense, but also ridiculous upside. He would immediately step into a solid, yet unspectacular group of cornerbacks that include Jason McCourty, Brice McCain, Perrish Cox, B.W. Webb, Antwon Blake, and Blidi Wreh-Wilson, while also offering the versatility to play on the back end when needed. Not a crying need for Tennessee, but the value and instant impact ability of Ramsey is tough to ignore.
Then there is the third option, one that I would eagerly entertain if I’m Tennessee’s front office: trading down. Obviously it is difficult to get into every scenario here, but let’s look at some basic guidelines for the Titans to follow if they want Ramsey or Tunsil a few picks later than originally scheduled.
If Tennessee covets Ramsey, they honestly may not be able to trade down at
all. The Browns are reportedly extremely interested in the Seminoles defensive back, and the signing of Robert Griffin III gives them the flexibility to address the quarterback position later in the draft. The Titans will have to weigh Ramsey’s value on their board, because even if Cleveland passes up the athletic phenom, I highly doubt San Diego follows suit.
If Tennessee still wishes to land Tunsil, they may have a little more freedom to move around the top five. Cleveland would have a quandary on their hands in trying to replace right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, but with so many other needs and Joe Thomas likely locking down the left side, I’m not sure they’d feel that strongly about Tunsil.
San Diego is in a similar boat with less “holes” than even Cleveland up front,
especially after signing Joe Barksdale to an extension a few weeks ago. The wild card here could be left tackle King Dunlap’s concussion history, which may be serious enough to negate the team’s healthy contract extension with the former seventh round pick just last spring. In that case, Tunsil would make a ton of sense at no. 3.
Dallas obviously has no need for Tunsil, and substantial desire for several other players that could be there at no. 4, so Tennessee wouldn’t need to worry about them. Jacksonville could surprise everyone and grab Tunsil, but given their recent free agent deals with Kelvin Beachum and Jeremy Parnell, and the refusal to give up on Luke Joeckel, adding the Mississippi tackle would certainly create major ripples in the present roster structure.
So Tennessee would appear to have options if they want to trade down and still land Tunsil, but they’ll need to have their ear to the ground on Cleveland and San Diego’s draft intentions or risk losing out on the stud left tackle. Of course you’ve also got to consider the king’s ransom Tennessee is undoubtedly asking for from other teams, which makes a move down from no. 1 as unlikely as ever. Still fun to look at their options.
If Tennessee does trade down outside of the first 7-8 picks, they will risk
losing out on one of the premier prospects in a draft class that lacks high-end depth at most positions, especially cornerback and tackle. So while I believe the organization should consider all offers, it better take something really special to get general manager Jon Robinson to agree to a trade.
To me, Tunsil makes the most sense at no. 1, both in terms of filling a major need and in grabbing the best player available. I’m a huge fan of Ramsey’s game and what he would bring to the Tennessee defense, but Tunsil gives the Titans a franchise left tackle to protect their budding star of a quarterback in Mariota, while strengthening the run game significantly for Murray. The move would also make Tennessee stronger at two positions, kicking Lewan to the right side and Byron Bell out of the starting lineup. Other options will rightfully be considered, but Tennessee shouldn’t pass up on the chance to get better at one of the weakest positions in the league while fortifying their offensive front for years to come.
The Pick: OT Laremy Tunsil, Mississippi Rebels
The Cleveland Browns are now on the clock…
