The NFL Draft: On The Clock - Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans   

Pick: #1

Top Needs: FS, OT, WR, CB

Top Targets: Laremy Tunsil, Jalen Ramsay, Joey Bosa

The Titans solved the biggest problem last year by drafting Marcus Mariota, but aside from that, they could pretty much upgrade at every position, which is … well, that’s not a good place to be. Specifically, their secondary is god-awful and despite using two of their last three first round picks on the offensive line, they still have major problems protecting their franchise QB.

When in doubt, go elite. The logical choices are Tunsil to seal up the other side of the line (whether he plays LT or Lewan moves to RT, I don’t much care. Mariota plays out of the shotgun enough that he doesn’t have a true blind side.) Bosa is in play, naturally, but is more of a 4-3 DE. (Folks smarter than me say he’s ‘scheme versatile’ but I don’t know about that.)

THE TITANS WANT: Probably to trade down. If someone falls in love with any of these guys, or wants to leap over Cleveland for the quarterback of their dreams, the Titans could probably benefit greatly if they move down just a few slots…and, of course, use those draft picks wisely.

THE PICK:  Make it three out of four years using a first round pick on the offensive line – Laremy Tunsil, OT – Ole Miss.

It's not a particularly sexy pick, but the game is won on the lines, and Tunsil sounds like as solid of a tackle prospect as there's been in awhile - I've seen numerous comparisons to Trent 'Silverback' Williams and Tyron Smith, and that's high enough praise for me. He's 6'5", 315 lbs., and has been dominant when he's been on the field. That part does come with some concern - he's had some off-field issues both with assault and with some impropriety with agents. He's therefore not as 'clean' a total prospect as one would want with the very top pick in the draft, but thus far nobody seems to think either is of true concern. 

If they can trade just a few picks down and take Ramsey, I think that would be delightful for them, but here, they have what could be a dominant offensive line protecting Mariota for years, and that's not a bad thing...at all.