Browns and Bills should have bidding war over Tennessee Titans draft pick
By Will Lomas
Tennessee Titans hold the key to Mitchell Trubisky.
The Tennessee Titans have a prime spot in the 2017 NFL Draft. They sit right behind several teams not really interested in quarterbacks (for some reason) and in front of the New York Jets.
The Jets are an interesting team to be in front of for a few reasons. First and foremost that they really should take BPA based off of what their GM’s long term plans should be.
Here is where it gets interesting, Todd Bowles is reportedly on the hot seat after a terrible 2016 season where it culminated in a devastating loss to the New England Patriots. With that in mind, he may demand a quarterback as a life raft to cling to.
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If Bowles and the young quarterback show promise in year one and end up winning six or seven games in that division then there is a good chance that ownership sees 2016 as an aberration after Bowles had such a good first year.
So, that means that if Bowles convinces GM Mike Maccagnan that all he needs is someone of 2015 Ryan Fitzpatrick’s caliber to succeed they may be interested in a quarterback. The Tennessee Titans hope that interest culminates in smoke about them being interested in North Carolina QB Mitchell Trubisky.
Why Trubisky? Well apparently the Cleveland Browns are torn between Myles Garrett and Trubisky for the top overall pick. So if the Jets want Trubisky it would prompt a move up to 5 with the Tennessee Titans.
However, there is another team that has been in love with Trubisky under the radar for months: the Buffalo Bills.
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The article linked above has an excellent explanation about why interest in a Bills/Trubisky connection in Buffalo shouldn’t be one-sided. It would also be a great fit from a coaching perspective. The Robert Molnar article says,
“A better fit for Trubisky would be Buffalo, where new offensive coordinator Rick Dennison will likely run a remedial version of Kyle Shanahan’s scheme for Tyrod Taylor. The upside with Dennison’s scheme is that it often puts the quarterback on the move by design, via rollouts and bootlegs. That’s a good way to smooth Trubisky’s developmental process. When a quarterback is on the move he’s reading only half the field; pocket mechanics aren’t a factor, and he can rely more on his athletic instinct. That’s where Trubisky thrives.”
So if they feel like they can really make something work in Buffalo while using Tyrod Taylor as a placeholder at QB until they feel Trubisky is ready it is a great idea for both player and team.
If the Cleveland Browns offer a big trade to the Tennessee Titans, how can the Buffalo Bills beat it?
Well, the past shows that they aren’t afraid to take big swings. Here is what they gave up for Sammy Watkins in the 2014 NFL Draft to make a very similar move up from 9 to 4 (five spots inside the top 10):
-9th overall pick
-2015’s 1st and 4th round picks (19 and 115 respectively).
Would you take that deal if you were the Tennessee Titans? Let’s run it through a mock draft where I will trade down from 18.
-Traded 18 for the Baltimore Ravens 2nd, two 3rds and a 4th.
Tennessee Titans selections
10. Gareon Conley CB, Ohio State
47. Chris Godwin WR, Penn State
74. Adoree Jackson CB/FS/KR/PR, USC
I don’t know where they would play him. He could be cornerback depth, he could be a safety convert, heck he could be a wide receiver.
All I really know is he is an instant special teams star. A great kick returner could be the only thing standing between this Tennessee Titans ST unit just being good or becoming great.
78. Tyus Bower EDGE, Houston
83. Pat Elflein C/G, Ohio State
100. George Kittle TE, Iowa
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That gives the Tennessee Titans new weapons on offense at tight end and wide receiver thanks to the additions of Godwin and Kittle who could be steals in this draft. Quietly, they also add a versatile C/G that could end up being a starter at right guard next year.
Defensively the Titans add a CB2 or fringe CB1 to pair with Logan Ryan, in Gareon Conley. They also get a potential Brian Orakpo-lite type pass rusher in Tyus Bowser who needs some polish but who has a ton of ability.
Adoree Jackson rounds out the group and adds a wildcard to the offense and defense, but will be a staple on special teams for at least the next five years.
They get that AND future 1st round pick.