The Tennessee Titans added a shiny new toy in the 2020 NFL Draft after selecting Cole McDonald out of Hawaii in the seventh round.
Prior to that pick, it looked as though Logan Woodside was on the fast track to becoming the team’s backup quarterback, but now we have a full-blown competition with two quarterbacks who have contrasting skill sets.
And that competition may not stop at just Woodside vs. McDonald, as it’s quite possible the Titans bring in a veteran at some point to add to it.
McDonald brings an intriguing skill set to the table that Woodside doesn’t, and that will help make preseason games must-watch television even after the starters aren’t seeing the field following the third preseason game.
McDonald not only brings great size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and a rocket arm, he also possesses elite athleticism for the position, giving him the ability to improvise and make things happen with his legs.
And, as is typically the case, everything McDonald does in the preseason will be over-analyzed and any impressive plays he makes will create a buzz that the Titans might have something in their rookie quarterback.
Of course, overreacting to anything in the preseason is silly, but that’s the way of things every single year, no matter how much we are reminded of it.
When it comes to seventh-round picks — and in particular, quarterbacks — expectations should always be tempered, and especially during a year in which offseason activities could be cut short or cancelled due to Covid-19.
But there’s no denying that watching McDonald will be much more interesting than watching Woodside because the Hawaii product has far more upside thanks to what he brings to the table.
Once the preseason comes to an end, the attention will turn to if McDonald has done enough to win the competition, or at the very least, earn a spot on the 53-man roster.
It’ll be interesting to see is if the Titans will carry just two quarterbacks like they did last season or if head coach Mike Vrabel and general manager Jon Robinson will decide to carry three.
A lot of that will depend on how far along McDonald has come.
Even if McDonald doesn’t beat out Woodside or a veteran option the team adds down the road, the Titans might not want to risk cutting him because another team could pick him up before he can be added to the practice squad.
No matter how you slice it, McDonald competing for the backup job, on top of the team’s other positional competitions, will be enough reason to have some added interest in what the Titans do during the preseason.
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