2020 NFL Draft: 5 bold predictions for the Tennessee Titans on draft day
By Ravi Konjeti
Titans don’t fill a “need” position in the first two rounds
The Titans find themselves in a unique situation because for the first time in a long time they are drafting at the bottom of the first round. Could this shift in draft position lead to a shift in thinking from Jon Robinson?
The Titans need a high-quality EDGE, right tackle and cornerback before the start of the season but they won’t be dead in the water if they don’t choose to fill those spots right away. There are still free agents left on the market and trades left to be made.
I think GM Jon Robinson looks at this draft slightly differently than in seasons past. In the first two seasons, Robinson quickly looked to leverage his picks into plug-and-play players that filled massive holes on the roster. However, last season he took a different approach to the NFL draft.
His first pick in the 2019 draft was for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Going into last season’s draft, the Titans were more in need of edge rushers, cornerback, or quarterback help than defensive line players. However, Robinson took a great value player in Simmons, who has unquestionably shown his impact thus far.
That gave way into the Titans being able to part with long time Titan Jurrell Casey, who is on the latter half of his career. It also helped the Titans free up cap space that will allow the team to bring on further help across the roster.
I think the Titans will go all-in on taking the best player in the first two rounds whether or not it fills an immediate need. While I have the Titans taking a wideout in the second round, I see the Titans potentially going after a center/guard or a defensive tackle here if the value is right. Fans won’t be happy immediately, but it might be the best long-term play for the team.