Every year, as a part of my lead-up to the NFL Draft, I try to take a step back from all the Titans team needs and ask, “okay, what’s something unexpected that they could realistically do?” I’m not here to say “GuYs WhAt If We TrAdEd Up To GeT tReVoR lAwReNcE?” But, something that, should the dominoes fall a certain way, would make sense for the team, but really surprise us. We pride ourselves on *ahem* thinking outside the box in this annual piece.
Outside-the-Box Options for the Titans at #22
This is probably the most difficult this column has ever been for me to write because there are just so many needs across this Titans roster. But, not in a “holy shit we HAVE to have starters at a million positions” kind of way. It’s more the “eh, they’re kind of weak here, kind of weak there, and they could really do just about anything in the first round to fix it” kind of way. My take on what this team needs in the draft is linked below, but in short, I anticipate cornerback, wide receiver, edge rush, and right tackle will be priorities. But, if the value isn’t there, I don’t think the Titans should force it just to fill a need. So,
Tight end – The Titans have a need at tight end that is more pressing than people seem to be discussing. Maybe that’s a byproduct of how lackluster this tight end class is. We just assume that the Titans won’t look at tight end early because they would be insane to do so. But, the reality is that Jonnu Smith did a great job at all of the things that make a tight end dynamic in the NFL, and he’s now in a New England Patriots uniform. Anthony Firkser and Geoff Swaim aren’t going to replace Smith, so the Titans need that complete TE1 mold at the position. Kyle Pitts is the only first round tight end in this year’s NFL Draft – no two ways about it. He is a transcendent talent at the position, one that some have called the best overall player in this draft class. Outside of Pitts, you’ll find a couple prospects with intriguing potential in Pat Freiermuth and Brevin Jordan. They are the only other two, in my opinion, who have the potential to get to that dynamic TE1 prototype in the NFL. If you’re the Titans….let’s say there’s a run on corners and edge rushers in the first round, and you know you can get good value at wide receiver later in a deep wide receiver class, do you pull the trigger on one of these tight end prospects in the hopes of getting your Smith replacement -and- potentially alleviating the need for a down-field playmaker, too? I don’t see it happening, but I can at least envision a scenario in which it would be considered.
Guard – Same type of scenario I mentioned above, and in fact, let’s just go ahead and assume this is the scenario for most of these options – run on corners and edge rushers, and holding off on wide receiver because of the depth of the class. Guard is not an immediate need. The Titans should feel pretty damn good at guard for 2021 with Rodger Saffold on the left side and Nate Davis on the right. But, we saw Dennis Kelly cut after doing a solid job at right tackle in 2020 as a cap casualty. Saffold’s got a hefty contract, and in anticipation of a potential decline, there’s a scenario in which the Titans cut him to free up some money, especially if you can get one of the best guard prospects in this class. The problem with this idea is that the Titans would essentially be drafting for 2022 in the first round of the 2021 draft, when they need an immediate difference-maker. That’s just not the reality of how most regimes operate in the NFL. You’re only promised today, so you better damn well try to win now.
Travis Etienne – Not ‘running back,’ as that’s not even remotely a need, but specifically Travis Etienne because of how explosive he could be in the passing game. The Titans need a dynamic and electric force to fill in holes and round out that offense. I’ve been saying “the Titans don’t need a Corey Davis clone – they just need production however they can get it” all offseason. Well, what if they get that production out of a guy like Etienne, who could be used frequently in the passing game? Running back isn’t a need at all, and I’m still eager to see what Darrynton Evans can do in his role, but if the bottom line is just getting speed and electricity on offense, they can achieve that by adding Etienne.
Trading up – Trading up would not be my strategy of choice. The Titans need a starter at cornerback, a starter at wide receiver, and they need to add quality depth and competition at edge rush, linebacker, defensive line, and offensive line in this draft. That’s quite the shopping list. They could use as many picks as possible. Then again, for the sake of this piece, let’s spin cycle this bitch – with so many players opting to return to college, this draft class has been called weaker overall. Would it make sense to mortgage some of those later-round draft picks to try and get as close to a sure thing as possible in the first few rounds? WOULD IT? For example, what happens if Jaylen Waddle falls to the low teens? What if Jaycee Horn, for some reason, drops to the low teens? I’m just saying – it is an option that is on the table.
Quarterback – okay, guys….hear me out….what if? I mean….you take a guy in the first round now, develop him for a few years for when Ryan Tannehill rides off into the sunset…Kyle Trask can take right over…ffs, I can’t even type this with a straight face. What’s the most likely scenario to happen on draft day? Nothing I’ve written about here…
MORE 2021 NFL DRAFT CONTENT
- It Is Insane To Suggest That Anyone Other Than Trevor Lawrence Should Be The Top Pick In This Year’s Draft
- My Top Five QBs Heading Into The 2021 NFL Draft
- Patreon: Titans Rewind: The 2019 NFL Draft
- Tennessee Titans Draft Needs (2021)
- Titans First Round Options: Rashod Bateman
- Titans First Round Options: Zaven Collins
- Titans First Round Options: Teven Jenkins
- Titans First Round Options: Greg Newsome
- Titans First Round Options: Jaylen Waddle
- We’re Thinking Mac Jones at Third Overall, Huh?
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. 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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