Bishop Sankey was a second round pick just three years ago, but now his chances of making the roster look slim.
Currently, there is a logjam at the running back position. You have the two clear safe players in Derrick Henry and DeMarco Murray. Then, you have the coach’s favorite in Dexter McCluster. I would also through Jalston Fowler in there as a player who is likely safe because of what he can help the Titans do schematically.
That is four roster spots on running backs (or fullbacks) already. Then you have David Cobb who didn’t get to really show what he had last year thanks to injury, who should be better this year and fit the Titans new style more.
That leaves Bishop Sankey with the uphill battle of showing why all of his previous bad tape should be ignored with just a few preseason games worth of tape.
While Sankey doesn’t stand a great chance of making this roster, there is another way that he can secure a spot on a roster: a trade.
If Sankey hits the free agent market, he could pick where he wants to go, but that could end up with him being out in the cold somewhere if he doesn’t pick up the playbook quickly and make an impression on the coaches.
A trade to a needy team would almost assuredly give him a good chance to make a roster or at least put out quality tape against real NFL teams.
One team that screams RB needy right now is the Buffalo Bills
After the Karlos Williams suspension, the Bills are now without their second string running back, and their third string running back was just involved in a DUI incident.
So, a team that heavily relies on their running game and defense to win football games, is now missing some key depth at that position.
The Bills should have some extra late round picks thanks to trades and free agency, and they could possibly have three 6th rounders next year. That would be a good return for the Titans on a player that they may end up cutting anyway.
While you may think that a 6th rounder isn’t a lot, don’t forget that the Tennessee Titans found a starting wide receiver in Tajae Sharpe in the 5th round. Not to mention a player that could contend for a starting spot in the 6th round in Sebastian Tretola.
Projection players are also abundant in the 6th round, including players like Moritz Bohringer and Keenan Reynolds last year. So, just because it is a late round pick, doesn’t mean that a savvy GM can’t find value there.
If Jon Robinson was to take the running backs from last year and turn them into Derrick Henry, DeMarco Murray and a 6th round pick without giving up too much, that would be just another feather in his cap. I think he could do it, but this may mean that he has to show off Sankey more in the preseason to entice bids. The only problem with that is that we could end up having to wait a little while longer to get excited about Derrick Henry’s potential.