1. Compensatory Picks
The Tennessee Titans have silently been draft savants since General Manager Jon Robinson took over. While Robinson might best be known for his trade with the Rams in the 2016 NFL draft, he has added valuable players in mid to late rounds of many drafts. Some of those players include Derrick Henry, Jayon Brown, and Kevin Byard.
While Robinson’s first draft pick for the Titans Jack Conklin left the team to join the Cleveland Browns this offseason, the team is projected to be given a third round compensatory pick in return for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Signing Clowney would almost certainly negate that compensatory pick for the team. While Clowney is definitely worth the price of a third round pick, the Titans have shown a keen understanding of adding value at the third round.
In 2016, the Titans added Kevin Byard, who has turned into an All-Pro safety in the league. Byard is arguably the best safety in the league today and is an anchor of the Titans defense. In 2017, the Titans added Jonnu Smith. Smith exploded as a key contributor last season and is now poised to take over the starting TE position with Delanie Walker not with the team anymore.
As recently as the 2017 NFL Draft you can see 3rd round compensatory picks turn into Pro Bowlers with James Connor as the most recent example.
With the Titans handing out significant money this offseason to players, the team will need draft picks to maintain competitiveness in the long run by adding cheap rookies. We have seen teams falter after spending big in free agency. Just look at the Rams this year.
Losing the Clowney sweepstakes would all but guarantee the team a third round pick. With this front office’s success, the franchise might opt for that instead.