Two months ago, the Tennessee Titans were the ugly duckling in the room. A national NFL afterthought. Today, they are the most popular kid in school, and their phone is ringing off the hook.
Ah yes, the perks of having the number 1 pick in the upcoming draft.
The 2016 Rookie Combine is underway, and two of this year’s best prospects have already made their pleas to Tennessee.
On Wednesday, Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil was up first.
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National draft prognosticators Mel Kiper and Mike Mayock both have Tunsil going number 1 to the Titans in their respective mock drafts. And according to the rookie to-be, that’s perfectly fine with him.
When addressing the media at the combine, Tunsil stated…
“Everybody wants to be the number 1 pick. That has been my goal since I was a little kid…The Titans are a pretty good franchise. They had a little down season, and hopefully they draft me and I can help them win games, man, hopefully.”
And while Tunsil admitted that he knew little about the franchise overall, he was wise enough to know where Tennessee’s bread is buttered.
He stated…
“I would tell them , Hey, I’ve got great feet, man. I have great feet, man, and I am here to protect Mariota. I would put it all on the line and I would give them every play I can to help Mariota.”
Good answer.
On Friday, Ohio State defensive lineman Joey Bosa addressed the media. He too, is widely regarded as being in the hunt for the coveted honor. And he also made his plea to Tennessee.
“I do believe I am the best player in the draft…Of course, there’s a lot of amazing players in the draft and it’s going to be up to Tennessee to make that decision. But I think as a top player, if you don’t believe that, then there’s something wrong.”
Adding Bosa to an already deep and talented defensive line could turn a good Titans front seven into an elite one. On offense, adding Tunsil would solidify the left tackle position, and allow Taylor Lewan (who has struggled at LT) to move to the right side…filling two pieces of the o’line with one transaction.
And then of course, the Titans could always deal the pick away for the right asking price. They already have their franchise qb, which gives them unbelievable leverage over anyone who wants to jump Cleveland for one of their own.
Next: 2016 NFL Draft Combine Notes: Kelechi Osemele
According to new general manager Jon Robinson, there has been no shortage of interest. Options…options…options.
In two short months, the frog became the prince. The race for #1 has officially begun.