Prior to the 2020 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans were just outside the top five in the power rankings of NFL.com’s Dan Hanzus and Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield.
However, after general manager Jon Robinson netted another solid draft class over the weekend, the Titans are now sitting pretty at No. 5 after moving up one spot in both Hanzus’ and Schofield’s power rankings.
First-round pick Isaiah Wilson enters the right tackle competition created by the departure of Jack Conklin. It’s an important position for the Titans, who leaned on Conklin to blow open holes for rushing champion Derrick Henry. Speaking of Henry, he has some new backfield company in Darrynton Evans. The third-round pick is a home-run hitter and a solid fit for Tennessee’s scheme. With Henry poised to play out 2020 on a one-year franchise tag, could the Titans be grooming Evans as a potential replacement in 2021? Meanwhile, is Jadeveon Clowney still on the radar in Nashville? Tennessee didn’t use any of its six picks on a traditional edge rusher. This feels like a perfect fit.
The buzz around Georgia right tackle Isaiah Wilson was real as the NFL Draft approached, and at the end of the first round the Tennessee Titans made him their selection to protect Ryan Tannehill, pave the way for Derrick Henry and step into a slot vacated by departing RT Jack Conklin. Then the organization addressed a need at cornerback, drafting Kristian Fulton from LSU when the DB fell into the back of the second round.
A very intriguing selection for them came in the fifth round, when they added defensive tackle Larrell Murchison. The N.C. State defender has a solid array of pass rushing moves and could be a presence on the inside of the Titans’ defensive line. Plus? They added the uber-aggressive Cole McDonald to their quarterback room. McDonald has an NFL arm and the willingness to challenge windows downfield that other passers shy away from. Darrynton Evans, the running back from Appalachian State, seems to be more of a Dion Lewis replacement than a Derrick Henry backstop, but he will give the offense a nice change of pace.
Hanzus’ top 5:
- Chiefs
- 49ers
- Ravens
- Saints
- Titans
Schofield’s top 5:
- Chiefs
- Ravens
- 49ers
- Saints
- Titans
It’ll be interesting to see if the Titans can jump up another spot in either expert’s rankings should they sign Jadeveon Clowney in free agency.
Either way, it’s nice to see the Titans getting some respect. After all, it makes sense, as the Titans are bringing back much of the same team that took them to the AFC Championship Game last season.
Of course, they’re minus Jack Conklin, but the Titans do have Dennis Kelly, who performed well in place of him in 2018, and general manager Jon Robinson drafted right tackle Isaiah Wilson in the first round. The Titans also added a pass-rusher in Vic Beasley.
There’s no reason to believe this team can’t make another run, especially if they can bring Clowney to Nashville.
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