Does this make sense?
I would argue that this has been the biggest offseason for the Titans since Jon Robinson’s first season with the team when he had to start the process of taking Tennessee from a loser with a 5-27 record over the last two seasons, to a team that hasn’t ever had a below-average season under his watch.
With nearly every position group touched by the cuts and signings, I would argue that Jon Robinson has made one thing clear:
Mike Vrabel has put his neck on the line for Shane Bowen and all of the offseason sacrifices were to help build Bowen a defense that emphasizes pass rush over coverage ability.
There have been plenty of signs to point to this shift in defensive identity. 4 of the 5 starting defensive backs are gone including both starting cornerbacks and a cornerback that Robinson traded a late-round pick for last year.
A lot of money was spent to bring in Bud Dupree and Denico Autry, two great players with a long history of getting to the quarterback. Meanwhile, the Titans signed Janoris Jenkins (Jackrabbit) and Kevin Johnson to fill the holes left behind by Malcolm Butler and Desmond King respectively.
So with that in mind, does it seem like the Titans would spend a first round pick on cornerback? I don’t think so.
I think that if they are going to add to the defense, it is going to be someone that can get to the quarterback whether that is an EDGE or a defensive lineman.
Let’s put a cork in that idea for a second. If the Titans were going to draft a cornerback, would Newsome be a fit for what they traditionally look at?