Tennessee Titans: Why a Round 1 Trade-Up is Highly Unlikely

No Third-Round Pick

Sep 22, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter (15) scores the winning touchdown against San Diego Chargers cornerback Crezdon Butler (20) during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Chargers 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Why don’t the Titans have seven draft picks? They traded their 2014 third-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers. The Titans traded that pick along with No. 40 to move up to No. 34. That allowed them to draft Justin Hunter. Hunter had his moments and he’s expected to play a key role as the starting wide receiver opposite Kendall Wright.

Third and fourth-round picks are often used in trade-up scenarios. Without that third-round pick, the Titans have fewer assets to include in a trade package. Valuing future draft picks is difficult because teams can only project how good / poor a team will do during future seasons.