Props to the Football & Other F Words guys for compiling this incredibly handsome spreadsheet documenting the prospects that the Tennessee Titans have had contact with throughout the lead-up to this week’s NFL Draft:
We compiled a list of all the Draft Prospects that have had contact with the #Titans.
— Football & Other F Words (@FWordsPod) April 13, 2020
Using various sources we compiled this list.
A lot of names that can make this team better! pic.twitter.com/Wv9QHyjrb3
I wrote in last week’s Titans Draft Roundup that I found this a pretty interesting tell of where the organization’s head was at. It’s not that running back isn’t a need – I think it is. Dion Lewis moved on to the New York Giants. Maybe we’ll see Dalyn Dawkins get a shot at an expanded role within the Titans offense. But, it’s reasonable to expect that the Titans will bring in another body to put in that backfield.
A free agent addition is still an option, but at this point, pickins are slim (I still like Chris Thompson tho). That’s why the Titans looking at running backs throughout the draft process isn’t necessarily surprising. It’s the caliber of running back that raised my eyebrows.
Some consider J.K. Dobbins the best running back in this class. He was steady and productive at Ohio State, but I’m not sure he fits the bill in terms of explosiveness that the Titans need on offense. As sure as good is good, productive is productive, I get it. But, I think the Titans need a different dynamic in the backfield than Dobbins would bring to it.
Then, there’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who looks like exactly what the Titans need at the position. A one-cut kinda back that can make people miss, run routes, catch passes, hold on to the football, tally them YACs, and play a solid all-around game.
But, I’m particularly surprised at the attention given to D’Andre Swift – who the Titans have interviewed twice. Lance Zuerlein is out here comparing this kid to Frank Gore. Frank. Fucking. Gore! He was one of the best backs in college football the last two seasons, and looks like the best back in this class to me.
Could you imagine a backfield of Derrick Henry and D’Andre Swift or Clyde Edwards-Helaire? To be blunt, that would fuck hard. That would be a damn steamroller that no defense would want to see. Especially with A.J. Brown streaking down the field, and Ryan Tannehill throwing dimes down the seam to Jonnu Smith and The Firkster. Weapons on weapons on weapons on weapons.
And, the philosophy is simple – do what you do, baby. Lean into the strengths of your team. That style took you to the AFC Championship a season ago. Sure, you have to tweak things and adapt every year, but the basic philosophy is still intact, and if you stockpile talent around it, you find new ways to make plays. I honestly don’t know that I’d mind this happening if there’s a run on edge rushers and cornerbacks in the first round.
They’d likely have to give up that #29 for any of these backs. So, if the interest is anything more than just due diligence and casual conversation, none of us should be surprised to see the Titans go running back in Round 1.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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