Patience May be the Titans Best Friend
It has the feelings of a crazy night on Thursday in Chicago, as we are a little over 24 hours away from the Draft. With no set in stone picks anywhere in the Draft, it could be madness.
Many expect the Rams to select quarterback Jared Goff at No.1, although no confirmation or even hint from the organization has been made. Since trading with the Cleveland Browns for the No.2 pick, most draft experts have the Eagles selecting the other top quarterback of the class, Carson Wentz. Since the Eagles move, current starting quarterback Sam Bradford has reportedly demanded a trade, throwing shock waves through the organization. Philadelphia also has QB Chase Daniel under contract that leaves the question if the Eagles will still take Wentz?
After the first two picks, the uncertainty just keeps building. San Diego has many needs ranging from secondary, to both sides of the lines, and could go many directions. The Dallas Cowboys at No.4 have been paired with names such as Joey Bosa, or Jalen Ramsey, but do we really have any idea what Jerry Jones is going to do on Draft night?
At number five the Jaguars are a dark horse option for many players. In my latest mock draft I have them selecting running back Ezekiel Elliot out of Ohio State, but that is just one of many options. The Jaguars could go with linebacker Miles Jack, although the UCLA star has medical questions about his knee in the short and long-term.
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The feeling out of Baltimore is defense, as they miss having their dominant pass rush of so many years. DeForest Buckner from Oregon would be a good fit if he lasts to No.6. The athletic defensive lineman would be a great pupil to Terrell Suggs.
It is truly hard to gauge what the San Francisco 49er’s will do at No.7 at this point. Muchmay depend how the Draft plays out.
That leaves us at an interesting point in the Draft at number eight. The Cleveland Browns hold the eight pick, which previously belonged to the Eagles. Looking to accumulate more picks, the Browns have been rumored to trading down again.
If left on the board at No.8, many teams may be looking to jump up to draft running back Ezekiel Elliot according to Ian Rappaport of NFL Network.
Trade spot to watch: #Browns at No. 8. They've been having discussions with teams behind them who would want to come up for Ezekiel Elliott
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 27, 2016
That is when it gets tricky for the Titans. Insiders such as Rappaport and Adam Shefter of ESPN have reported the Titans have interest in trading up in the Draft. The Titans have gained tons of ammunition in return for the number one pick, and giving up a slight portion of it could land them a player such as offensive linemen Laremy Tunsil or Ronnie Stanley they would have selected at No.1.
As the Titans look to be on the clock as much as possible in 2016, the key is not giving up to much in trading up. If many teams want to jump for Ezekiel Elliot at No.8, Tennessee should be patience. Waiting a pick or two later until making the jump from No. 15 could be the difference in giving up an extra pick or a 2nd or 3rd rounder.
The top 10 of the Draft could play out to be a domino effect if one team takes a player in an unexpected slot.