The 2017 NFL Draft takes place April 27-29 this year, and as it stands, the Tennessee Titans have two first round draft picks. General manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Mularkey currently hold the 5th overall selection and the 18th overall selection. Over the next few weeks, your boy Big Natural will be taking a look at some of the prospects rumored to be tied to or make sense for the Titans.
People keep clamoring for a wide receiver – it’s all over Titans Facebook. Every national writer who doesn’t have his/her finger on the pulse of the team just assumes they’ll take a wideout. And, I just keep reiterating, the Titans don’t have this dire need for a #1 receiver! They need a playmaker, sure, but this idea that the Titans need the second coming of Calvin Johnson is absurd.
My apologies if you’ve been following this column and are tired of hearing me say this, but the Titans are in a really good spot this season with no specific need taking command of their draft strategy. You may say they HAVE TO take a corner in round one…well, you are wrong. This is a deep cornerback class. They have two third round picks. There will be starters being drafted in the middle rounds this year. Plus, if you ask the organization, they’re high on LeShaun Sims. They signed Logan Ryan.
What about safety? Well, they’re high on Kevin Byard. They signed Jonathan Cyprien. They’re okay there, too. Wide receiver? Rishard Matthews proved capable of handling the work load. Tajae Sharpe has another year under his belt. Lest we forget, the primary receiving target on this team is Delanie Walker!
Nah, they just need a playmaker, corner, and inside linebacker at some point. Even at that, they could get one late, like, I don’t know, say…ArDarius Stewart. So, they’re pretty set. Quit acting like the sky is falling.
I’ve said all draft season that the Titans are in a “take the best player available” position. It would be foolish to take Mike Williams at #5 when a vastly superior prospect is available (think Jamal Adams, Jonathan Allen, Reuben Foster, Marshon Lattimore, Malik Hooker – one of these guys is going to be available. All of these guys are better than Williams). But, now, I’m intrigued.
John Ross has been popping up on mock drafts here and there, and our very own Poppa Bear slotted him to the Titans in his mock. You have my attention.
See – the operative word I’ve been using here is “playmaker.” The Titans aren’t tied to a position, but the force they are missing on offense is game-breaking speed and electric scoring potential. Personally, I think O.J. Howard fits the bill, and could be the pick at #5. But, I think it’s time for me to open my mind a little bit – broaden my horizons and quit arguing a point for the sake of arguing.
This time obviously wanted Brandin Cooks from New Orleans before they lost out on the deal and the speedy receiver ended up in New England. The team obviously knows they don’t have much speed at wide receiver. Dependable route-runners: check. Good hands: check. Solid blockers: check. Home run hitter: X.
Ross could fill that void, plain and simple.
23 touchdowns, 112 touches. That’s mind-boggling. That’s close to one touchdown for every five catches. He broke Chris Johnson’s record, running a 4.22 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His speed coach thought he could’ve run the 40 EVEN FASTER – are you kidding me?!?! The guy is an outright freak of nature. While he may not be the most complete receiver, he wouldn’t have to be in the right situation.
The knock on Ross? Well, he’s kind of a one-trick pony. It’s deep speed or nothing. So, in order for him to become a successful receiver in the NFL, he’ll have to learn how to run routes and beat coverage five yards out and in the middle of the field.
The thing that makes him a good fit for the Titans is that they already have that taken care of. Matthews, Sharpe, and Walker are those reliable blocks with dependable hands. With Ross, the Titans would have a guy that could beat anybody in the NFL down field.
So, if he’s the pick at #18 – and he’s the best player available – hell, why not select him?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJWauEzbIJQ]
PS. I usually don’t like highlight videos with music, but this is pretty good. Carry on.
Catch up on previous first round option reports:
Jamal Adams
Jonathan Allen
Derek Barnett
Corey Davis
Reuben Foster
OJ Howard
Marshon Lattimore
Mike Williams
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. A strong advocate of GSD (get shit done) and #BeBetter, he’s down to talk Tennessee Titans and Alabama Crimson Tide football over a beer any day. Check him out covering the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @WrestlingNewsCo
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