B/R’s Matt Miller has Titans going RB, WR, IDL in latest 3-round mock draft
Would the Tennessee Titans go running back, wide receiver and interior defensive lineman in the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft?
In his latest three-round mock draft, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller has the Tennessee Titans taking a running back, wide receiver and interior defensive lineman in the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.
In the first round, Miller has the Titans selecting Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins with the No. 22 overall pick.
"J.K. Dobbins was one of college football’s best players in 2019. His first-step quickness, vision and hands make him an ideal target for NFL teams. Watch him slice through the Clemson and Michigan defenses and you can easily see what he could bring to a pro offense."
Miller believes the Titans should be in the market for a back regardless of what happens with Derrick Henry, who will be a free agent in 2020.
While I tend to believe Henry will be back one way or the other, Tennessee desperately needs a back who can not only spell Henry, but can be an asset on third downs after Dion Lewis failed to be that guy in 2019 and is likely on his way out of Nashville in 2020.
A 5-foot-10, 217-pound back, Dobbins has been a monster for the Buckeyes in 2019.
He’s totaled over 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground, and also added 23 receptions for 247 yards (10.7 yards per reception) and another two scores. Dobbins needs work on his blitz pickup, but he’d definitely be an asset as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Second round
In the second round, Miller mocked LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson to Tennessee.
Jefferson, who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 192 pounds, has 102 receptions for 1,434 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. The LSU product is a solid route-runner and has good hands, and his size is also a plus.
Third round
According to Miller, Tennessee will roll with interior defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence, also out of LSU. The 6-foot-2, 308-pound D-lineman has notched 2.5 sacks and 25 total tackles (five for loss) in 2019.
The Tigers used Lawrence as a defensive end, but he’s much better suited to play on the inside at the next level. Some have speculated he could’ve been a second-round pick had he come out last year after finishing the 2018 campaign with four sacks and 54 tackles (10 for loss).
What’s the verdict on Miller’s mock?
I definitely agree that the Titans should be in the market for a running back and wide receiver, but they’re already solid along the defensive line. Perhaps a D-linemen could be in the plans later in the draft, though.
I’d also expect the Titans to wait a bit longer to take a running back and wide receiver than the first and second round. And, if the Titans do go wide receiver, they should be looking for a burner who can stretch the field. Jefferson doesn’t exactly fit that description.
A more pressing need than all three of those positions will at pass-rusher, and maybe tackle as well depending on what happens with impending free agent, Jack Conklin.
Tennessee could also look to add another cornerback in what is shaping up to be a deep draft for the position. We’ve already seen how much the Titans’ defense has suffered with the combination of a lackluster pass-rush and an injury-depleted secondary.
Overall, this mock is better than Miller’s last one in which he had the Titans taking a wide receiver, quarterback and running back, in that order; however I don’t think the Titans will prioritize these particular positions over some of the others listed.