In Pro Football Focus’ two-round mock draft, the Tennessee Titans select an EDGE and running back with their first two picks.
The Tennessee Titans’ failure to create pressure on Kansas City Chief quarterback Patrick Mahomes was a big reason why the team’s season ended just one game short of the Super Bowl.
As a result, general manager Jon Robinson must make adding a pass-rusher his top priority during the 2020 offseason, whether that be through the 2020 NFL Draft, free agency, or both.
In his mock draft, Pro Football Focus’ Michael Renner has the Titans addressing that need with the No. 29 overall pick and LSU EDGE, K’Lavon Chaisson, who would be a great young player to line up across from pass-rusher Harold Landry.
"Any edge talent will do here for the Titans to pair with Harold Landry. Chaisson’s athleticism could be a weapon out of the gate for the Titans as he’s still developing his consistency as a pass-rusher. His 78.9 pass-rushing grade this past season was a career-high."
Landry took that next step in 2019 after totaling nine sacks. However, without another great EDGE across from him, teams were able to put extra focus on stopping Landry and he struggled to get consistent pressure because of it.
Chaisson totaled 6.5 sacks and 60 total tackles (13.5) for the Tigers last season. It isn’t clear if he’ll last this long into the first round, but if he does the Titans should jump all over him.
For the Titans’ second-round pick, Renner has them going with Ohio State running back, J.K. Dobbins, who has been mocked to the Titans in a few instances this offseason.
"This obviously depends on the fate of Derrick Henry’s contract negotiations, but Dobbins’ vision and burst will fit in nicely with the Titans. He averaged a shade over 4.0 yards after contact per attempt on 301 attempts last season."
Whether Derrick Henry returns or not, the Titans desperately need a running back to spell him and contribute on passing downs. Dion Lewis was supposed to be that guy when the Titans signed him in 2018, but he has failed miserably and will likely be cut this offseason.
Dobbins could be that guy with his solid receiving chops and would give Tennessee a great 1-2 punch for 2020. The Ohio State product could also wait in the wings for a few years and eventually take over for Henry when he and the Titans part ways at some point in the distant future.