Now that the Dion Lewis experiment has failed, the Tennessee Titans should be looking to address their need at running back at some point this offseason, whether that be in free agency, the 2020 NFL Draft, or both.
Tennessee was lacking a sufficient secondary option behind Derrick Henry last season, and as a result he was forced to handle a ridiculous workload that led to him leading the NFL in carries — and rushing yards — in 2019.
Granted, Henry is in the kind of physical shape where he can handle it, but an excessive workload also opens him up to injuries more. The Titans need to have an effective “Plan B” to take some of the pressure off their star back.
Not to mention, Henry isn’t exactly an elite pass-catcher out of the backfield, so being able to run the football well isn’t the only quality the Titans should be looking for in a back.
Luckily, there are some intriguing players at the position available in the 2020 NFL Draft — it just depends on what round general manager Jon Robinson chooses to take his back.
With that said, here’s a look at a back the Titans could nab in every round they have a pick based on their draft position in each.
Round 1
D’Andre Swift | Georgia
Under no circumstances should the Titans use a first-round pick on a running back when the team has bigger needs to fill, but if this is the path they choose, Swift is the best of the bunch.
Not only is he an effective runner between the tackles and to the outside, he’s also a polished pass-catcher that could contribute on third downs right away. Swift needs some improvement in pass protection, but isn’t a liability.
Should the Titans not lock Henry up for the long haul, Swift could step in as a three-down back in 2021.