Tennessee Titans Trade Possibilities In The First Round
By Les Bailey
Sometimes we become so focused on a target, that we overlook everything else going on. The entire NFL Fan base, and those who are Tennessee Titans fans are assuming that the only player who is worthy of a blockbuster trade on April 30th is Oregon quarterback, Marcus Mariota. What about Leonard Williams?
Since the NFL Scouting Combine, ESPN Draft expert, Mel Kiper Jr. has had the 6’5″ Junior out of the University of Southern California at the very top of his “big board”, so why wouldn’t someone trade up to take the best player in the draft?
In fact, we have heard continually how bad Florida State quarterback, Jameis Winston wants to be the first player taken in the 2015 NFL Draft, but if you read articles on the Junior from USC, he wants to be “el numero uno” as well.
It’s probably not going to happen, because we have all been sold on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers taking Winston with the first pick, so lets take advantage of our position in the draft and get everything we can.
I have continued to plead the case that if the Tennessee Titans just selects Leonard Williams, they give up any leverage that comes with that second pick, and could miss out on more draft picks, especially in the second round where they can really makes up some ground with the rebuilding process in 2015.
Erik Lambert at the NFL Mocks site has an intriguing deal that interests me. The Titans trade down from the second pick to the fourth pick with the Oakland Raiders…….Stay with me here!
New Oakland Raiders head coach, Jack Del Rio is expected to take either Amari Cooper here from the University of Alabama, or the speedy receiver from West Virginia, Kevin White, but we know for a fact, he would draft Leonard Williams in a heart beat if given a chance.
Leonard Williams has said publicly that although he would play for any team who drafted him, he would love to play for the Raiders. He has long been a fan of the Silver and Black, and has dreamed of playing for Raider Fan.
To further elaborate Lambert’s trade here, The Raiders would give the Titans the number four pick, a second round pick in 2015, and a second round pick in 2016. They would draft Leonard Williams to anchor their defensive line which would turn their edge rusher, Khalil Mack loose to terrorize quarterbacks in the AFC West.
This is a chance for the Titans to play outside of the box a bit. Lambert’s Mock draft has coach Whisenhunt taking Brandon Scherff, a much-needed offensive tackle out of Iowa with the fourth pick, and adding the 33rd and 36th pick to day two.
A draft that is stock-full of wide receivers, and running backs, The Tennessee Titans could land some nice players with this deal, and help out a real need on the offensive line.
What makes this trade even more compelling, although Scherff played the left side at offensive tackle in college, he is projected to play guard in the NFL. With Taylor Lewan at tackle, and Scherff on the guard spot, they could anchor the left side for the next decade.
Not only could this combination provide some protection for Zach Mettenberger in his second year, it is the basis for a running game that might actually work in 2015.
I know fans have their hearts set on Leonard Williams, but this deal brings the one thing the Titans can’t get by drafting Marcus Mariota, or Leonard Williams, and that’s more bodies to fill all the holes on both sides of the ball.
With 25 names still on the Free Agency list, and following a 2-14 season the Titans could use more bodies to fill up the opening-day lineup card come September.
Next: How About Kevin White in the First Round?