The Tennessee Titans head into the 2019 offseason with a need for more depth at positions on both sides of the ball.
Fortunately for general manager Jon Robinson, there’s the mid-March free agency period and the quickly approaching 2019 NFL Draft in April to fill these voids and begin the process of building the Titans into a team that can become a legitimate playoff contender in the upcoming season.
Here’s a quick look at seven options who caught the eyes of teams across the country this year:
1. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss
The Titans need more depth at wide receiver, and this former Rebel wideout appears up to the task.
Metcalf was one of the top overall performers at the combine, displaying freak speed as recorded a 4.33 in the 40. His vertical (40.5) and broad jump (11-2) couldn’t be ignored, either.
If he can translate this into performances on Sundays, Tennessee can’t afford to pass on him.
2. Montez Sweat, DL, Mississippi St
If there’s two things we can take away from Montez Sweat’s performance at the combine, it’s the speed and strength he’ll bring to the franchise that manages to land him.
At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, Sweat practically set a new standard for athleticism in defensive linemen, recording a 4.41 40-yard dash.
As one of the best available players across the board in 2019, Robinson and the Titans will probably have to trade up if they want in on a talent like this one.
3. Jarrett Stidham, QB, Auburn
It’s not likely the Titans make a move on a quarterback in the early rounds, but former Auburn signal-caller Jarrett Stidham will be available for the taking if Robinson is willing to consider.
A solid overall performance at the combine likely has Stidham’s stock rising even more, as he drew raving reviews from quarterbacks coaches according to Sports Illustrated.
“I asked a few quarterbacks coaches who they thought threw it well on Saturday, and one name came up every time: Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham. Coming into last season—and remember, at that point, neither Kyler Murray nor Dwayne Haskins had been full-time starters—some evaluators believed Stidham had the best arm talent in the class. And there’s an understanding out there that Auburn coach Gus Malzahn’s scheme wasn’t the best fit for him. So he’s a name to keep on your radar going forward.”
4. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa
While fellow Hawkeyes tight end T.J. Hockenson has received more buzz in regards in the potential to land in Nashville, Noah Fant provides an equally solid option for the Titans if they want to go with a pass-catcher early on.
Teams from all over took note of the 6-foot-4, 249-pounder’s 4.50 50 and 39.5-inch vertical at the combine.
5. Garrett Bradbury, OL, N.C. State
While spending a first-round pick on a center may seem underwhelming at first glance, it may be a smart move for the Titans, whose problems on offense lie primarily within the interior offensive line.
Bradbury’s performance at the combine did not disappoint, as he recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.92 seconds — the best time of any of the first group of offensive linemen. This came one day after he finished second among his position group with a total of 34 bench-press reps.
If the Titans are looking for an instant upgrade to the o-line, Bradbury is undoubtedly the way to go.
6. Dexter Lawrence, DL, Clemson
Despite still recovering from a quad injury, Clemson’s 6-foot-4, 342-pound Dexter Lawrence was still able to turn in a 40 time of 5.05 seconds.
The performance was almost good to tie quarterback Kyler Murray’s time of 5.04 seconds.
Lawrence also impressed on the bench press with a position-best 36 reps of 225 pounds. If the Titans are looking to add a boost of strength and power to the defense through the draft, Lawrence certainly presents an appealing option.
7. Emanuel Hall, WR, Missouri
Any team seeking a mid-round receiver prospect with a focus on speed should look no further than Mizzou wideout, Emanuel Hall.
There’s a good chance Hall’s stock could rise even further after he posted an impressive 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the combine.
His 141-inch broad jump put him on top at the position, and his 43.5-inch vertical jump also tied for a position-best.
Hall already has Nashville ties, and the Titans could make those even stronger by adding him to the roster.
