The Tennessee Titans shocked the football world by trading out of the top spot of the 2016 NFL draft with the Los Angeles Rams earlier this month.
It was a move that very few expected. It also pushed Tennessee’s first-round pick all the way down to No. 15 overall.
Now, flush with six picks in the first three rounds, the Titans have the assets to freely move up and down the draft board as they see fit.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, this will lead the Titans to be extremely active during Round 1 of the draft on Thursday evening:
“I expect Tennessee GM Jon Robinson (at 15), who already has been on the phone in the top 10 assessing his chance to move up for a tackle, to be active today,” King reported.
The most-likely scenario is Tennessee looking to move up to the top 10 to select former Mississippi offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was connected to the team when it held the top pick.
Recent reports have suggested that Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley might now be the first offensive tackle off the board. If so, that could push Tunsil down a tad in the top 10, making it more reasonable for the Titans to move up for him.
Just imagine this scenario. Tennessee could very well nab the same player it was targeting at No. 1 while acquiring multiple high-round picks from the Rams in the process.
That’s the definition of massaging the draft board to fit what you want to do.
Either way, it makes perfect sense for the Titans to move up from 15. They have the necessary assets to entice teams in the top 10. They also have a need for an offensive tackle.
Much like their deal with the Rams earlier this month, the Titans could once again shake up the first round of the draft after it kicks off Thursday evening.