If you’re one of the Tennessee Titans fans who were still holding out hope for a miracle run to the playoffs, yesterday was undoubtedly a deflating loss.
However, if you’re one of the fans who has been campaigning for the team to tank for a better draft pick, Sunday’s result pushed the Titans in the right direction.
Tennessee is now 4-8 on the year and is set to have a pick two spots higher than where they sat a week ago.
Per Tankathon, The Titans are technically slated to pick eighth overall, but they’re part of a four-way tie with the New York Jets, Giants and Chicago Bears, who all have matching records.
Tennessee trails those three teams thanks to having a tougher strength of schedule, thus the Titans will have to finish with a worse record to jump them, at least based on how things are currently situated.
That is also the case with the Washington Commanders and the No. 4 overall pick. Tennessee sports a lower strength of schedule than the Arizona Cardinals, who sit at No. 3, but the team is on bye this week.
Chances are the top-two picks will be out of reach, no matter how the Titans finish, as the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots will be lucky to win one more game the rest of this season, let alone multiple.
While a lot can certainly happen between now and then, the Titans are in a fantastic spot to leave with a blue-chip prospect at a position of need. That said, they’re still likely out of range for the cream of the crop, which consists of left tackles Joe Alt and Olu Fashanu and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
To get one of those left tackles, the Titans will probably need a top-five pick. As far as Harrison Jr. is concerned, being in the top three will be necessary, something that isn’t out of the question.
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