Tennessee Titans: 10 Targets in 2020 NFL Draft to help Ryan Tannehill thrive
Ryan Tannehill has been signed to a long-term deal with the Tennessee Titans and these 2020 NFL Draft prospects will help him and the team thrive.
The Tennessee Titans did the inevitable by re-signing Ryan Tannehill to a four-year deal before the start of NFL free agency. Tannehill proved in half of the 2019 season as the starter that he’s the quarterback for the foreseeable future. The former first-round pick’s performance in 2019earned him Comeback Player of the Year, a Pro Bowl all while helping his team to an AFC Championship Game appearance.
The Titans fell to the eventual Super Bowl champs, the Kansas City Chiefs. But now it’s time to look toward the future with the 2020 NFL Draft. One of the most glaring needs comes on the defense, specifically in regard to adding a pass rusher.
Harold Landry, though improved, has injury concerns and signing Vic Beasley Jr. doesn’t negate the need. On the interior, Jeffery Simmons looks promising but there’s an upgrade needed along the defensive line especially after gifting the Broncos Jurrell Casey in a cap-dumping trade.
The offensive line could use some help now that Jack Conklin signed with the Browns. At wide receiver, A.J. Brown was phenomenal in his rookie season but Corey Davis hasn’t fully developed. The Titans could use some help at tight end as well. With all that, these 10 targets in the 2020 NFL Draft will set the Titans and Tannehill up for long-term success.
10. Alex Highsmith, EDGE, Charlotte
Cameron Wake‘s absence in the Titans’ playoff loss to the Chiefs was felt. Tennessee opted to sign Beasley to pair him with Landry for the 2020 season. However, Landry is still proving himself while Beasley is on a one-year prove-it deal.
With that said, it does buy the Titans some time to draft a player with upside to develop into a starter. Alex Highsmith is a prospect they should have their eyes on.
For starters, he fits the build of edge rushers the Titans like at 6-3, 248 pounds. The Charlotte edge rusher had amazing production at the college level with 40 tackles for loss combined in 2018 and 2019, including 15 sacks in his final year of college. His production is predicated on his athletic traits that include great bend, speed and quickness off the edge.
The Titans may not feel the urgency to draft an edge rusher early. If they wait, a player like Alex Highsmith on Day 3 is a possibility.