Tennessee Titans trade up in fifth round, select S Dane Cruikshank
The Tennessee Titans made their first pick since the second round on Saturday, selecting Arizona safety Dane Cruikshank after a trade-up.
For the third time in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans traded up to get a defensive player they covet. After getting an inside linebacker and EDGE pass-rusher with their first two picks, the Titans turned their attention to arguably the third biggest need for the team by taking safety Dane Cruikshank out of the University of Arizona.
Cruikshank is considered a versatile defensive back, with the ability to play safety and cornerback. He was a starter for the past two seasons at Arizona, accumulating 134 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, five interceptions and 12 pass deflections during that span.
What makes Cruikshank supremely intriguing is his athletic profile. At 6-1, 209 lbs, Cruikshank ran a 4.41 forty yard dash and his athletic scores are worth drooling over.
Just look for yourself.
This will do. This will do just fine! pic.twitter.com/e4PzGwSoDB
— Titan Sized (@Titan_Sized) April 28, 2018
After the release of Da’Norris Searcy, safety was an underrated need going into free agency and the draft. The Titans elected not to attack safety during free agency, leaving the depth chart with Denzel Johnson and special teamer Brynden Trawick as the backup safeties. With Cruikshank in the fold, Trawick will revert to the fourth safety on the depth chart and allow him to focus solely on special teams.
The Titans gave up picks #162 and #215 to move up to #152 in order to be able to draft Cruikshank. With inside linebacker, EDGE and safety in the fold, wide receiver or interior offensive line will likely be what Jon Robinson looks at with his final pick of the 2018 NFL Draft: Pick #199. For those who don’t know, pick #199 is the “Tom Brady Pick”. Hopefully, the former Patriots scout can drum up a similar bit of luck with this year’s Brady Pick.