Titans interest in Teven Jenkins could lead to a trade with Steelers or Jets

Why it may just be smoke

I think that this is part of an orchestrated plan by Titans GM Jon Robinson. There are two scenarios that the Titans would be hoping for if they leaked this information.

Scenario one: Jets/Steelers trade

Timing is very important in this situation, and I think the thing that really started the ball rolling was this live stream that PFN posted on Wednesday night.

Around 12 hours before the rumors started circulating that Teven Jenkins was going to be drafted either 21st or 22nd overall, insider Tony Pauline said two very important things:

First, at the 17:33 mark, Trey Wingo asks Pauline what he thinks the New York Jets will do with the 23rd pick in the draft and Pauline says,

"“I think its going to be focused on offense, unless a top pass rusher/edge rusher falls to them at 23, although they answered that question during free agency and I think they answered it well, I mean I know they like Teven Jenkins the offensive tackle from Oklahoma State. If he is there at 23 I think he is a natural fit at right tackle, it’s a big upgrade.”"

Then later at the 41:50 mark in the same video, Pauline is talking about Spencer Brown rising up draft boards and he says,

"“I know the Pittsburgh Steelers like him, and if the Pittsburgh Steelers, who need offensive line help, lose out on Teven Jenkins in round one, I think that is a guy they could look to in round two.”"

If you are the Steelers and it is public knowledge to scouts that the Jets want Jenkins, then you need to move up in the draft. This could be a situation where the Titans are telling the Jets and Steelers that the league is on to them and that they are going to sell that pick for someone who wants Teven Jenkins if they don’t call and make an offer themselves.

You are seeing this at the top of the draft with the Atlanta Falcons pretending that they are on the fence about drafting a quarterback.

Scenario two: Someone jumps to 20

By leaking out this information, the Chicago Bears (who might be interested in Jenkins themselves) now become a hot trade target for a team jumping up for Jenkins. It would be more expensive than the Titans pick, but it would guarantee that you don’t have to sweat the Colts taking him.

If the Titans want to make sure that the Colts are forced to trade up for Jenkins if they want him that badly (something they typically don’t do) or if someone jumps the Colts for Jenkins so that Indianapolis doesn’t get him, then this buzz would do that.