2015 NFL Draft: Should Tennessee Titans trade down?

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Mar 29, 2015

With the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans sure have plenty of decisions to make. With all eyes set when they are on the clock, they should have without question a frenzy of teams trying to see what interest they have in trading down. The temptation of also drafting quarterback Marcus Mariota can no doubt make the Titans decide to keep the pick and draft their next future franchise quarterback in him. Then again, shouldn’t they do what is best for the overall benefit of the team and trade down to get more pieces they need to be competitive in the future?

It’s a tough call and I can only imagine what general manager Ruston Webster and head coach Ken Whisenhunt must be thinking is the best direction to head in. On one side, Mariota would need a year or two of development before being able to really make some noise as a starter in a pro-offense.

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On the other side, plenty of teams would probably be willing to trade some of their star pass rushers, wide receivers and even future draft picks for a chance to draft Mariota. These are all areas the Titans need help in. Trading the pick and getting better players in return could make the team competitive once again in the AFC South.

According to a report by ESPN.com’s Phil Sheridan, Whisenhunt did not confirm nor deny what to do with their No. 2 overall pick in regards to Mariota. It’s clear the Titans, just like many of the teams across the NFL, truly like what they see in Mariota. Whisenhunt’s comments were interesting to say the least because it will keep teams guessing what they will do until draft time.

The truth of the matter is, in the Titans’ offensive system, Mariota could be starting in 2015 if he’s drafted by them but would have a tremendous learning curve. While I think he will indeed be an amazing quarterback down the road, unless he’s in a spread offense that is oriented with the no-huddle, he will struggle mightily at first.

It’s not to say he’ll be terrible, but to think that if the Titans draft him and he’ll start to become an overnight sensation immediately is very premature. Make no mistake about it, he’ll need a few years of thorough coaching and training to adjust to a new offensive system and of course life in the NFL.

Nov 17, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) passes against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Since quarterback Zach Mettenberger has shown signs of being a capable starting option for the Titans last season in his rookie year, he also is a work in progress. He would actually have an advantage over Mariota come training camps if that is in the cards for the Titans because of his familiarity of their offensive playbook.

Honestly though, I think it would make much more sense for the Titans to trade down. They can easily address their pass rushing needs and getting some better defensive players and future draft picks via a trade that would really set the bar high for 2015.

The Titans could pull off quite the blockbuster trade and make some major moves to improve their franchise by trading down in this year’s draft.

It’ll be something that is talked about for years to come and if by some bizarre twist of fate that Mariota ends up being a bust, the Titans would look back and realized that trading down had much more of an impact than sticking with a potential work-in-progress quarterback.

Next: Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota best option outside trade?

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