Tennessee Titans trade up in 7-round 2020 mock draft post-free agency
By John Laird
The NFL as a whole has had some bad luck when it comes to hefty running back contracts, meaning Robinson made the smart move tagging Henry. While he gets a solid pay-day, it allows the team flexibility moving forward with no commitment past 2020. If Henry does it again then great, pay the man — but it protects the team if he begins to show some wear and tear.
Continuing to dive into the Big Ten talent pool, JK Dobbins is the pick in the second round. That’s the same round Robinson selected Henry in 2016. At the time, Tennessee had DeMarco Murray on the roster but added a stud in the draft. They do the same here.
Dobbins won’t amaze people with his speed or his open-field moves for that matter. What the Ohio State product does give the team is another bruising, one-cut back who is still athletic enough to make the big play. Coming off of a 2,000-yard season, Dobbins can either help prolong the career of Derrick Henry by splitting carries- or become his eventual replacement after 2020.
Pick via Eagles
As a part of the earlier trade, the Titans are picking a little later in the third round than originally scheduled. This is the only selection where the idea of “win now” is thrown out of the window for a methodical selection that can not only pay dividends now but down the line as well.
Selecting Jalen Hurts would be an extremely polarizing move in the eyes of fans. The team just committed to Tannehill on a four-year, $118 million deal and, with the Titans being so close to making it to the Super Bowl, shouldn’t every opportunity to add to this team be for them to win now, not years down the line?
What must not be forgotten is Tannehill’s lengthy list of injuries before joining the Titans. If history were to repeat itself, the team only has one other option on the roster: Logan Woodside. Obviously, the best-case scenario here would be for Tannehill to stay healthy while prepping Hurts to become the eventual starter or even a prime trade chip down the line.