It seems like the rumor mill is heating up as we move closer to day one of the 2016 NFL Draft on April 28th, and the Tennessee Titans and their first overall selection seem to be at the center of much of this speculation. The fact is, with the draft less than three weeks away we usually have a fairly strong indication of who the top pick might be, but this year a lot remains up in the air. Having selected former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota with the second overall pick last year, and watched the former Heisman trophy winner show flashes of brilliance in 2015, without question a signal caller can be ruled out as the top pick. But frankly, all other options remain on the table. Who will be the first overall selection? Will the Titans even hold onto the pick? There are a lot of moving pieces here. So what do the Titans do on draft day?
The general consensus about the 2016 NFL Draft is that there are many contributors available in the early portion of round one, but that there doesn’t appear to be any sure-fire top pick materializing as we get closer and closer to the big day. This draft is deep along the offensive and defensive lines, making this a strong showing for players who make their living in the trenches.
One such player is Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
If you had to take a poll of most experts in regards to who the Titans take first, Tunsil would probably be the name you would heard most often. Having just drafted Mariota last year, the Titans could, in theory, nab Tunsil to protect their franchise passer’s blind side, while sliding incumbent stater Taylor Lewan to right tackle and thus solidifying one of the league’s top young duos of pass protectors for years to come. Certainly, the move makes a ton of sense. Mariota sustained a few injuries last year and you absolutely have to keep your franchise player on the field if you hope to compete in this league.
However, this line of thinking is based on several assumptions.
First, it assumes that the Titans have Tunsil rated as the best player on their board, which given the lack of consensus regarding the top players in this draft, is no slam dunk. Additionally, it suggests that the Titans deem left tackle a need. Perhaps the are entirely happy with Lewan, an emerging player in his own right, continuing to man the blind side for the foreseeable future.
And what about Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey? The versatile star is coming off an exceptional combine both on and off the field, and has steadily climbed in mock drafts in recent weeks. He’s a top player on draft boards across the football world and has become a popular contrarian first overall selection in mock draft that aren’t inclined to slot Tunsil in at first overall.
Additionally, the possibility of trading the pick looms large. The Titans’ have not been coy about their willingness (or perhaps even desire) to deal the pick, and have been dangling it all off-season. With several quarterback-needy teams in the draft, and two signal callers in Jared Goff and Carson Wentz expected to be very high selections, perhaps someone will attempt to leapfrog the Cleveland Browns to secure their guy.
The Titans are aware of the lack of consensus at the top of the draft and would likely be content to move down a few slots, acquire additional assets, and still have a shot at one of the top players on their board. The prospect of trading the pick and still having the opportunity to pick up a player like Tunsil or Ramsey would have to be enticing to General Manager Jon Robinson. Reports are emerging that the Titans have a solid offer on the table for the first overall selection and while there are no more available details at this time, Robinson may very well be considering the move.
With that said, there isn’t a lot of recent precedent for trading the number one pick. The last time the first overall pick was moved was in 2001, when the San Diego Chargers traded down from first overall to fifth overall, allowing the Atlanta Falcons to draft Michael Vick with the top slot. (Ironically enough, the Chargers did something similar in 2004, selecting Eli Manning first overall, and then ultimately trading his rights to the Giants within the next several picks, but I digress.)
Put simply, trading down from first overall just doesn’t happen that often. In the history of the NFL Draft it’s only happened four times (not including the aforementioned Eli Manning draft and trade). Still, it isn’t a possibility that can safely be ruled out, especially at a time when everyone is expecting the Browns to take a quarterback second overall.
Ultimately, we don’t really know what the Titans will do with the pick and this is pure speculation and conjecture, but when it comes to the NFL and especially draft season, isn’t that really half the fun? We’ll have our answers soon enough. Keep reading Last Word on Sports for all your draft needs, everybody. We’re just getting started.
Main Photo: NASHVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 29: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans drops back to pass during a game against the Oakland Raiders at Nissan Stadium on November 29, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Raiders defeated the Titans 24-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
