The 2021 NFL Draft is quickly approaching us, and on April 29th, franchises and college hopefuls alike will head to Cleveland, Ohio. Ah, Cleveland. The home of a franchise I’m no longer allowed to speak ill of after quarterback Baker Mayfield heard my challenge on The Unofficial Titans Podcast and absolutely had a passing attack against Tennessee in Week 13. However, instead of focusing on how wrong Owen was, I’d like to look back over Titans General Manager Jon Robinson, who will enter the war room of draft day for the sixth time. We’ll look over picks only from the first and second round and give the year an overall grade.
In 2015, the Titans has an abysmal year, going 3-13. The only team to have as bad of a season that year was the Cleveland Browns, who were used to it at that point. (You thought I’d live in fear of Cleveland FOREVER!? 2021, new season, new Owen.) Although hopeful with newly drafted quarterback Marcus Mariota, Tennessee needed to clean house, and controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, hallowed be thy name, cleared house, firing GM Ruston Webster and bringing aboard former Buccaneers Director of Player Personnel Jon Robinson, a former New England Patriots scout. Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt had been fired after a 1-6 start to the season, and Mike Mularkey had been promoted from interim head coach to officially be our head coach.
With the first pick of the 2016 draft, J-Rob immediately made moves and traded the Titans 1st, 4th and 6th round picks (1st, 113th and 177th overall) to the Los Angeles Rams for their 1st round, two 2nd round and a third round pick (15th, 43rd, 45th and 76th) as well as the Rams 2017 first and third round picks. Robinson wasn’t finished, though. He flipped it AGAIN, this time trading with Cleveland, sending our first and third round picks (15th and 76th) as well as a 2017 second round pick for the Browns first and sixth round picks (8th and 176th). When all was said and done, the Titans would end up with a first round pick and three second round picks for the 2016 draft. With the 8th overall pick, the Titans would select Jack Conklin, an offensive tackle from Michigan State. In the second round, the Titans selected defensive end Kevin Dodd (33rd), Austin Johnson (43rd), and fresh off of his Heisman trophy win, Alabama running back Derrick Henry (45th).
Wow. A lot to take in here, if I do say so myself. Johnson would show up from time to time, and from 2016 to 2019 would garner 38 tackles and half a sack before getting released. Dodd was placed on the injured reserve the 2016 season after one sack. He’d come back in 2017 to record seven tackles and no sacks, and then be released by the Titans in 2018 after failing to report. However… Conklin would go on to make the PFWA All-Rookie Team as well as become a rookie Pro Bowler. His contract would be declined in 2019, and Conklin would then go on to play for Cleveland, where he would have another pro bowl year in 2020. And King Henry? NFL Offensive Player of the Year 2020, First Team All-Pro 2020, a two-time Pro Bowler (19/20) and a BACK TO BACK NFL rushing leader in 2019 and 2020. A franchise running back without question. I think these two picks were absolute fire, and for that, I’ll give 2016 Jon Robinson an A+.
In 2016, the Titans would finish the season 9-7. However, losing the tiebreaker to the Texans, we missed winning the division and did not get a wildcard spot. But hey! A winning season! Not too shabby at all. The Titans would end up with two first round picks at 5th and 18th from the previous season’s dealings with the Rams. The Titans would select Corey Davis, a wide receiver from Western Michigan, and Adoree Jackson, a cornerback from the University of Southern California. For the most part, many Titans fans wondered if Davis would be a bust, considering how high he was picked, and had three quiet seasons before finally showing out in 2020, ending the season 55 yards short of a 1,000 yard reception season. As of 2020, Jackson would have three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 33 pass deflections and two interceptions. Now, keeping in mind how high the pick was, you could call Davis a bust. I feel like his best years are ahead of him. Adoree has had some injury issues that kept him off the field for a major chunk of 2020, but has been a presence on the field since returning. For these reasons, I’ll give J-Rob a solid C+.
Be sure to tune in for part two, as we discuss the 2018, 2019 and 2020 draft picks, and as always… TITAN UP.
Don’t forget to check out our friends at MANSCAPED, who just launched the new Refined Cologne. Get 20% off your entire order and free shipping with the promo code ‘SOBROSTITANS’ at checkout.
Outspoken Owen is the co-host of The Unofficial Titans Podcast. Follow on Twitter: @OutspokenOwen.
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.