Why do a 2017 NFL Draft report card for the Tennessee Titans in 2020? The 2020 NFL Draft is history. Everyone else is giving out grades for players who’ve never played a down. I’ve always figured that this is the perfect time to reflect on players who’ve had three years to showcase their talents.
General Manager Jon Robinson was overseeing his second draft. This was his second season as GM and his first as Executive Vice President. I’m a supporter of what Robinson has accomplished. He’s done a very good job.
That said, could a couple different moves have set this team up for a prolonged dynasty? Let’s take a look.
Round 1, No. 5: WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan
Will Davis ever break out as anything more than the training camp superstar who has that once-per-year promising performance that raises the hopes of the Tennessee Titans faithful? The combination of fellow wide receiver A.J. Brown evolving into a No. 1 wide receiver and the transition into a run-heavy offense has made Davis more of a decoy. Davis finished 2019 with 43 receptions for 601 yards and two touchdowns. Compare that to 2018 when he had 65 receptions for 891 yards and four touchdowns.
Five of the next seven picks were the following Pro Bowlers: S Jamal Adams (6), RB Christian McCaffery (8), QB Patrick Mahomes (10), CB Marshon Lattimore (11), QB Deshaun Watson (12).
Let’s not give an F here. At least Tennessee didn’t trade up one spot to get Mitchell Trubisky. The Titans were still confident with former quarterback Marcus Mariota. They had two solid running backs. Wide receiver was a major area of need. The only other realistic options were Mike Williams (7) or John Ross (9). Williams probably wouldn’t have done much more in that offense.
Drafting Davis at No. 5 was a bit of a stretch to begin with. This grade is either a C or a D+ with potential to improve. My Middle Tennessee State University professors swore off from minus-grades. So I’ll give the generous upward grading curve.
Grade: C
Round 1, No. 18: CB Adoree‘ Jackson, USC
Remember earlier in 2019 when people brought up the hypothetical of packaging Jackson in a trade for former Jacksonville Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey? Jackson stepped up as the season progressed. He’s the perfect example for why people claim you should wait at least three years before grading players. He needs to improve on two interceptions in three seasons.
A solid pick. I’d like to see another good year and a contract extension before giving this more than a good grade. A future Pro Bowl nod (as more than an alternate) would make this an easy A.
Grade: B
Round 3, No. 72: WR Taywan Taylor, Western Kentucky
Trading an early third-rounder before his third season is an admission to a draft pick not working out. In two seasons, Taylor had 53 receptions for 697 yards and two touchdowns. He spent 2019 with the Cleveland Browns. He didn’t record a reception.
Taylor had his moments. Fewer drops would’ve meant more responsibilities. I’m feeling the same way as I did about Davis: C or a D+. I’ll grade on the upward curve.
Grade: C
Round 3, No. 100: TE Jonnu Smith, Florida International
Not bad production from a player who started his career behind Delanie Walker then found himself as the leader among a rotation of tight ends. Smith finished 2019 with 35 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns. I wouldn’t expect him to progress into a Pro Bowl talent or anything close to that. Still, he’s a solid player who provides a nice weapon against teams who struggle to defend tight ends (e.g. Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
Grade: B
Round 5, No. 155: LB Jayon Brown, UCLA
This team has always had a knack for finding gems around Round 4-5. In three seasons, Brown has appeared in 46 games (23 starts). He has averaged 97 tackles, three sacks, seven passes defensed per year. He has two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He has one career touchdown.
Grade: A
Round 6, No. 217: G Corey Levin, Chattanooga
Levin played 16 games in 2018. He’s still in the league. That’s better than most low picks. So meh.
Grade: C
Round 7, No. 227: LB Josh Carraway, TCU
NFL has him listed as playing in one game.
Grade: I (incomplete)
Round 7, No. 236: T Brad Seaton, Villanova
No career games. He’s still in the league.
Grade: I
Round 7, No. 241: RB Khalfani Muhammad, California
He’s still in the league. No career games.
Grade: I
3-YEAR REVIEW
The Titans had a solid draft. It’s easy to reminisce on what might have been had they made a better pick at No. 5. The top wide receivers from that draft were taken at picks No. 62 to 96. All of them featured better quarterbacks and offenses with heavy passing attacks.
If Robinson can learn anything from this draft, then maybe it’s that it’s better to focus on best player available over forcing best player at position? I don’t know. I can’t hold that pick against him. Right idea, wrong execution. Heck, maybe Davis is a Pro Bowl wide receiver in the right situation. Kind of hard when the offense runs the ball 30 times and spreads the football to 10 different receivers.
Good draft.
Grade: B
Joshua Huffman was born in Middle Tennessee. He has published content for Yahoo! Sports (via Contributor Network) and Titan Sized, among other venues. At SoBros, he’ll provide Daily Fantasy Sports suggestions and broad sports coverage. Check out his sports blog :59
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