If the Tennessee Titans lose Jack Conklin, remember this name

If the Tennessee Titans need an offensive tackle, this is a sneaky name for the first round.

The NFL Combine has produced a lot of risers at offensive tackle which could be important for the Tennessee Titans.

As much as I hate the idea of letting a good free agent walk only to replace him with a rookie in a month, cap troubles may make it hard for the Tennessee Titans to keep Jack Conklin.

If that happens, then one of the biggest names at the combine should be front and center in the Titans draft plans.

While Tristan Wirfs and Mekhi Becton had the best days of the top tier of offensive tackles, someone quietly had the most important performance of the day.

Those bragging rights belong to Ezra Cleveland from Boise State.

If you don’t know, Cleveland was a fringe first round pick already with outstanding size and he came in as one of the most experienced and successful tackles in the draft. I think this tweet explains that in the best way and I don’t want to rip it off:

So after an outstanding combine, what made his day better than the record setting day by Tristan Wirfs? Well, there is one athletic test that really predicts future success more than any other at the combine: the short shuttle.

With a 4.46, Cleveland is now on this list. While the name isn’t exactly full of super stars, the hit rate of players whose film suggests they should be first round picks tends to work out pretty well.

If there ends up being a need at tackle, don’t discredit how important short area quickness and change of direction will be for the Tennessee Titans and their ZBS/play action offense.

There is a good chance that Wirfs, Thomas, Wills, and Becton are all off the board in the top-20 picks, so with the next group staring us in the face it is important to remember that of those fringe 1st round picks, one stood out athletically: Ezra Cleveland.