Tennessee Titans: Jadeveon Clowney changes Titans draft grades
By Will Lomas
![GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 29: Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts alongside defensive end Ezekiel Ansah #94 during the the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks won 27 to 10. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) GLENDALE, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 29: Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts alongside defensive end Ezekiel Ansah #94 during the the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. The Seahawks won 27 to 10. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Ftitansized-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2016-2F04-2F1178428021-850x560-1021ae5998aeb0de34a79235e15bd2c1cff982a4eb969a50d2f1ba090cb8b5c2.jpg)
Round 2: Kristian Fulton CB, LSU
This would have been great regardless of what happens with Jadeveon Clowney because you can never have enough players on your roster that can hinder the other team’s QB or help your QB. Those positions are the “premium positions”
There are four premium positions that merit big investments: QB, OT, CB, and EDGE. If the Titans land Clowney then they can look back at this draft class and this is what they came away with:
Free agency: Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE (premium position)
Free agency: Vic Beasley, EDGE (premium position)
Round 1: Isaiah Wilson, OT (premium position)
Round 2: Kristian Fulton, CB (premium position)
Round 4: Ryan Tannehill, QB (premium position)
That is a great way to allocate your assets and history does say that if you need an OT or CB that you need to draft them in the first two rounds:
Best positions to draft in Day 2 historically based on percentage of long-term starters. pic.twitter.com/0HzIhhbeTj
— Jim Cobern (@Jimetrics) April 24, 2020
Just from round 2 to round 3, you drop from a 64% hit rate on DBs to a 39% so locking up EDGE, CB and OT before 3rd round picks was imperative for the Titans.
Grade change: A -> A+