Tennessee Titans: Is Laremy Tunsil a lock?
There hasn’t been a more popular pick in mock drafts this year than Laremy Tunsil to the Tennessee Titans, and the fit makes sense. The Titans need a tackle, tackles are arguably the second-most valuable position in the NFL behind quarterback, and Tunsil is widely seen as a safe, once-in-a-generation talent at the position.
For as much lofty praise as Laremy Tunsil receives, such as a comparison to future Hall of Famer Jason Peters from NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks, I’m sure some are rolling their eyes at the adoration and proclamations of the former Ole Miss star being “safe”. Luke Joeckel‘s struggles with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a formerly “safe” No. 2 overall pick are on people’s minds, but Tunsil is such a dominant prospect that he’s avoided any real criticism from those projecting the Tennessee Titans to draft him, even with the seemingly inherent risk in drafting an OT high.
Related Story: Who are the greatest QBs in NFL history?
In Taylor Lewan, the Titans have a former first-round pick at the offensive tackle position, and the former Michigan star, who famously subdued Jadeveon Clowney in a bowl game, would have been a higher pick if not for serious character questions. Lewan has been solid through his first two seasons with the Titans, but he hasn’t been a star (not many two-year OTs are in ths league, though), which has helped add to the Tunsil-to-No.1-hype.
More from Tennessee Titans
- 2023 NFL Season: 3 teams who are already doomed
- Ranking the 5 best NFL uniform changes for the 2023 season
- Malik Willis should be on the Washington Commanders radar
- Three 2023 free agents who won’t live up to their contract
- DeAndre Hopkins ends FA saga, signs with Tennessee Titans
Beyond Tunsil, there aren’t many other options for the Titans to consider at No. 1. They need talent all over their roster, so Joey Bosa and Jalen Ramsey could make sense. In fact, Ramsey is the one selection who could help the team the most due to their gaping hole in the secondary, particularly at free safety with Michael Griffin‘s expected release having already taken place, and I’ve argued that the most sensible decision for the Titans is to sign a veteran tackle to pair with the capable Lewan and spend the No. 1 pick on Ramsey.
However, while Ramsey has been mocked to the Titans by some, the Tunsil-Titans pairing continues to gain even more steam. Although Titans GM Jon Robinson tried to give Lewan his backing, we also heard, in the same piece linked, head coach Mike Mularkey fan the Tunsil flames by saying that Lewan can play at multiple spots.
Many believe that drafting Tunsil to be the left tackle and moving Lewan to the right side is best, and right tackle has suddenly become a sexy position after Von Miller undressed Mike Remmers and the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl.
To his credit, Tunsil has been busy hyping up his chances of landing in Tennessee at No. 1, and his decision to avoid running the 40 would make even more sense in retrospect if we learn that the Titans always intended on taking him first (and then decided to make it clear to him before the Combine).
Although I would personally love to see the Titans add a game-changing safety in Ramsey who can boost this defense in so many different ways, Tunsil might be the safest pick. Nobody will criticize it, tackles are valuable, and he gave up almost no pressure last season. His tools are off the charts, and he does indeed seem more polished, athletic, and battle-tested than any other top tackle prospect in recent memory.
What could keep Tunsil from being a lock is an especially compelling trade offer from a QB-desperate team, and while I struggle to find a team that would make sense as a “buyer” for the first overall pick, little can be called insanity in today’s NFL.
All of the buzz surrounding Tunsil either means we are set for a huge surprise on draft day, or there’s no way the Titans will pass up on a valuable franchise tackle who checks off all the boxes and would allow them to say, “Yup, we’ve set Marcus Mariota with success.”
It’s important to remember that while drafting Tunsil does make Mariota’s surroundings look a lot more comfortable, it doesn’t fix all of their problems on offense. In fact, it doesn’t fix their biggest one. While Tunsil would help the running game, the Titans need to boost their interior offensive line as badly as any team, their running backs are the worst in the league (bar none), and they could use another impact receiver. Oh, and by passing up on Ramsey, they haven’t exactly filled any needs on defense either.
More nfl spin zone: What have been the greatest teams in NFL history?
Like many, I see Tunsil as the overwhelming favorite to be the first overall pick this year, and the only alternatives I see are Ramsey, Bosa, or trade. Only the first of those three options seems realistic, but given the emphasis placed on OTs particularly when a young QB is involved, I can’t blame anyone who already has Tunsil-to-the-Titans written in Sharpie.