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Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams Trade is a Winner for Both Franchises

By Andrew Mills

Jan 27, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) stretches during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) stretches during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams agreed to terms in a trade involving the first overall pick in this year’s NFL draft.

In a move that most NFL draft enthusiasts only dream about, the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams have agreed to a blockbuster trade!

From Paul Kuharsky at ESPN.com:

"Tennessee will send the top selection along with its fourth- (No. 113) and sixth-round (No. 177) picks this year to the Rams in exchange for Los Angeles’ first-round pick (No. 15), two second-round selections (Nos. 43 and 45) and a third-round pick (No. 76) in 2016. The Titans also will get the Rams’ first- and third-round picks in 2017."

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I think this is a great move for both franchises but for extremely different reasons.

Tennessee, a team that already has their franchise quarterback in Marcus Mariota, is going to have the ability to fill a number of holes in their roster.

The Titans defense ranked 23rd overall by Football Outsiders‘ DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average), a statistic used to measure a team’s defensive efficiency. A cornerback at 15, possibly Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves, would go a long way in helping to rebuild their back seven but the Titans needs do not stop there.

Nov 7, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) reacts against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) reacts against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Titans have been linked to Mississippi Tackle Laremy Tunsil all off-season and for good reason. Tennessee ranked 25th in rushing and 20th in sacks allowed in 2015.

Their offensive line could use an influx of talent and while Tunsil will certainly have been drafted by 15, Notre Dame Tackle Ronnie Stanley or Michigan State Tackle, Jack Conklin are viable options.

The point for Tennessee is that they are still going to be able to draft an impact player at 15 while filling other needs with good talent at 43, 45 and 76. All of that is in addition to the picks that they already held before this trade.

For the Rams, this is obviously a move aimed at securing a franchise quarterback but I think it goes beyond that.

The Rams are returning to Los Angeles after 22 years in St. Louis and while they certainly wont struggle for fan interest, bringing in a young, talented quarterback for their first season back is going to be a huge draw.

In a city that is built around stars and entertainment, it’s important to make a splash, and this is as big as splashes get in the NFL.

The other reason I like the trade for Los Angeles is because I don’t think they gave up to much. As evidence, let’s look at the trade the Rams were involved in with the Redskins in 2012.

Prior to the 2012 NFL draft, the Rams held the second overall selection. With Andrew Luck destined for Indianapolis, the Rams held the key to Robert Griffin III and Washington came calling. For that pick the Rams received Washington’s 1st and 2nd round selections in 2012 as well as their 1st round picks in 2013 and 2014. The Rams are certainly giving up a lot but not close to what Washington gave up in 2012.

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The trade between the Rams and Titans will change the future for both of these franchises and there will be analysis lauding and criticizing both sides but I think this is a win-win for the franchises involved. The Titans now have even more ammunition to build a deep, talented roster and the Rams get to bring a fresh, young face to a city where that’s just a cost of doing business.

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