CBS Sports’ R.J. White has the Tennessee Titans taking a running back, a quarterback and an offensive tackle in his three-round mock draft.
In his mock draft for CBS Sports, R.J. White believes the Tennessee Titans will be going all offense in the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.
One of the key offensive positions the Titans will be looking to address at some point this offseason will be at running back, and White has Tennessee doing just that in the first round with the selection of George running back, D’Andre Swift, at No. 29 overall.
"Derrick Henry is the straw that stirs the Titans’ offensive drink, but what if he’s just too expensive to retain? The Titans are in prime position to add another feature back here, and Swift would be a great fit for their offense."
This pick is based on if the Titans don’t re-sign Derrick Henry, in which case this would be a good selection. However, I continue to believe Henry will be back in 2020 and that the Titans will try to target an EDGE or cornerback in that order of importance.
Once one of those three positions are out of the way, drafting a backup running back who can spell Henry and be an asset on third downs will be a priority. That could definitely happen as early as the second round.
As for his second pick for Tennessee, White has the Titans taking another Georgia product in quarterback, Jake Fromm.
"Unless the Titans lock up Ryan Tannehill to a long-term deal, they should look to grab a QB prospect on Day 2 to develop into a potential starter. The need will be there for a backup anyway with Marcus Mariota hitting free agency."
Any result other than the Titans locking Ryan Tannehill up for multiple years in a contract should lead to the team looking for a quarterback in the 2020 NFL Draft. Of course, signing Tannehill to a multi-year extension would allow Tennessee to take another year or two to find a young quarterback.
It’s also true that the Titans need a backup quarterback anyway, as Tannehill’s sordid injury history is something to be at least a little concerned about. For a team ready to win now, a veteran option would be the safer bet, though.
We recently wrote an article on four backup quarterbacks the Titans should target in order to ensure the team will still be competitive should an injury occur.
For the Titans’ third-round pick, White sees them taking offensive tackle and Boise State product, Ezra Cleveland.
"Cleveland has the potential to rise with a strong combine, and he could even establish himself as one of the best tackle options after the top tier comes off the board. I expect him to go on Day 2."
There’s a good chance Tennessee could lose right tackle Jack Conklin to free agency, in which case the team would sign Dennis Kelly to take his place. If that happens, drafting a guy like Cleveland would create competition for Kelly right off the bat, or Cleveland could be groomed to eventually be the right tackle of the future.
Even if Conklin returns, Tennessee learned first hand just how important depth on the offensive line can be during the 2019 season. Having a young right tackle on the roster would give the Titans security in the event of an injury.