As NFL free agency rolls along, the Tennessee Titans’ draft needs could change drastically from now until the start of the 2020 NFL Draft on April 23.
But for now, we have a pretty clear understanding of what the team might be looking for when it starts.
In his latest three-round mock draft, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling has the Titans going EDGE, guard and running back with their first three picks.
Here’s a look at who he has the Titans grabbing, along with the write-up for the team’s projected first-round selection.
Round 1, pick No. 29: Yetur Gross-Matos | EDGE | Penn State
“The Titans are built for sustained success, which should allow them to play the “best player available” game here. Thankfully for them, this scenario gives them a fantastic balance of value and need. Gross-Matos is the prototype for today’s NFL edge defender, and his strong finish to the 2019 season proved he’s still worthy of first-round consideration.”
Round 2, pick No. 61: Damien Lewis | G | LSU
Round 3, pick No. 93: Clyde Edwards-Helaire | RB | LSU
While I agree with the first pick in pass-rusher Yetur Gross-Matos and the third pick in running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, I’m not so sure about the second selection being for a guard like Damien Lewis; although he would be a good fit in Tennessee’s zone-blocking scheme.
Now, this isn’t a knock on Lewis himself, he’s a solid player. It has more to do with fit for Tennessee, as they just selected a right guard in Nate Davis last year and still have a stellar left guard in Rodger Saffold. It’s possible the Titans do add a guard at some point for depth, but not this early.
If anything, the Titans are going to focus more on the tackle position after Jack Conklin’s departure and with Dennis Kelly taking over the starting job in order to shore up the position for the long term.
Tennessee also needs to address cornerback with one of its first two or three picks, as a full secondary rebuild might be coming depending on what happens with Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson in the next few years.
The selection of Gross-Matos is a very good one if he’s still available at that point in the first round. In fact, getting him at No. 29 would amount to a dream scenario if the Titans are targeting an EDGE there.
Sure, the Titans have made the move to sign Vic Beasley, but it’s only a one-year deal and he’s had issues with consistency and faced questions about his effort in the past. Having Gross-Matos as depth in 2020 and in waiting to be a starter in 2021 would be a fantastic contingency plan.
Edwards-Helaire would fill one of the team’s biggest needs this offseason.
Now that Dion Lewis has been cut, the Titans need a pass-catching back for third-down situations, and few backs in this draft have as much experience catching the ball out of the backfield as Edwards-Helaire. He also has the versatility to be lined up in multiple spots on offense.
All in all, this is a solid mock for the Titans that addresses multiple areas of need with good players and also adds immediate depth for a team ready to win now.