While many Tennessee Titans fans were thrilled with the team’s haul in the 2020 NFL Draft, there were some experts out there who weren’t as impressed.
Of course, there were others who gave the Titans rave reviews for the picks general manager Jon Robinson made.
Allow us to take you around to different media outlets to see who is saying what about Tennessee’s 2020 class.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.: C+
The biggest gripes Kiper had with the Titans’ draft was that they didn’t draft an EDGE, and he felt that first-round pick Isaiah Wilson was a reach. I wonder if Kiper would change his grade if the Titans sign Jadeveon Clowney?
What they said:
The Titans made a surprise run to the AFC title game last season, taking down the Patriots and Ravens on the way, and they did it with an efficient quarterback, bruising running game and steady but unspectacular defense. Well, their first-round pick is clearly designed to continue that offensive trend in 2020. Offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson (29) was a little bit of a reach, but I see the traits that put him at the end of Round 1, even if I question whether he could start right away over Dennis Kelly and replace Jack Conklin at right tackle. At 6-foot-6, 350 pounds, Wilson is a project, and he needs to clean up his technique, but that could come with NFL coaching.
Opinions on cornerback Kristian Fulton (61) were all over the map inside the league, but it’s decent value getting him at the end of Round 2. He is my eighth-ranked corner, just after A.J. Terrell, who went No. 16 overall. It’s a little risky, though, just because of his inconsistencies.
Darrynton Evans (93) opened up some eyes at the combine with a 4.41 40-yard dash, and he could be the favorite to spell Derrick Henry as the No. 2 running back. On Day 3, Larrell Murchison (174) is just a rotational defensive tackle, and quarterback Cole McDonald (224) has a loooong delivery and will need time to fix that and adjust to the speed of the NFL. But he could be a decent backup.
I was surprised the Titans didn’t take an edge rusher, and Wilson was a reach on my board.
Pro Football Focus: C+
Pro Football Focus landed in the same boat as Kiper with its grade, and it is tied for the lowest in the AFC South with the Houston Texans.
What they said:
Day 1: Isaiah Wilson was 111th on the PFF Big Board entering the draft, so this pick is clearly a reach. Wilson is an absolute unit at 6-foot-6 and 350 pounds, and while that can be a pro, it’s also a huge con as it makes playing consistently low a struggle. We actually like him more at guard than at tackle as a result. Wilson could thrive at guard because of how immediately he ends reps when he’s able to quickly get his hands on an opponent. Still, that doesn’t quite warrant a first-round selection.
Day 2: Fulton was the 12th-ranked prospect on our draft board and easily the CB2. He owns the highest PFF coverage grade in the country over the past two seasons, and he produced the nation’s highest forced incompletion rate (30.5%) when lined up on the outside. His ability to stick with his man, consistently force tight coverage and win at the catch point is as good as anyone. He was in SEC receivers’ hip pockets constantly, and he’ll be the same way in the NFL. This was one of the biggest steals of the entire draft.
After getting a steal in Fulton, Tennessee responded with a pretty huge reach in Darrynton Evans. He was only 221 on our draft board. While he is a speedster, he’s undersized and doesn’t break a lot of tackles, nor does he play well after contact in general.
Day 3: Tennessee needed a backup quarterback, and the Titans got one of the biggest arms in the entire draft in Cole McDonald. McDonald also brings to the table elite athleticism for the position and decent accuracy. McDonald had nine completions of 40 or more yards in 2019, which led all FBS quarterbacks. The big issue with McDonald was his ugly decision-making and Jameis-esque style of play — he ranked 18th in big-time throw rate and had the 12th-worst turnover-worthy play rate at the same time.
Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling: B+
Easterling was higher on the Titans’ draft class than most. He called Wilson a “perfect replacement” for Jack Conklin and sees Kristian Fulton as “one of the biggest steals of the entire draft”. He also had positive things to say about Darrynton Evans, Larrell Murchison and Cole McDonald.
What they said:
After losing Jack Conklin in free agency, the Titans found the perfect replacement in Georgia’s Isaiah Wilson, who was every bit worthy of a first-round pick. He was tested at right tackle against SEC competition, and his punishing style is exactly what Tennessee loves up front.
LSU corner Kristian Fulton was one of the biggest steals of the entire draft at No. 61 overall, and he can replace the departed Logan Ryan in the starting lineup immediately. Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans is the perfect complement to Derrick Henry.
North Carolina State defensive lineman Larrell Murchison was one of this year’s most underrated interior defenders, making him a huge bargain in the fifth round. Hawaii’s Cole McDonald is an intriguing developmental prospect at quarterback.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter: B+
Reuter started the Titans off with a “B-” grade on Day 1, but followed that up with a pair of “A” grades for the next two days. In fact, he thinks the Titans “crushed” Day 2 of the draft.
What they said:
The Titans crushed Day 2 of the draft, getting the corner they absolutely needed in Fulton and finding that quick complementary back to Derrick Henry in Evans. Tennessee’s pick of Isaiah Wilson in Round 1 could work out thanks to the massive young man’s (6-6, 350 pounds) lofty potential. Tennessee traded their fourth-round choice to Miami last year for QB Ryan Tannehill … which has worked out pretty well. Murchison, an active defensive lineman, was a top-100 value they picked up at No. 174 overall. McDonald’s arm and athleticism made him worth a late-round flier. Adding depth at tight end should be the Titans’ top priority when looking to sign, umm, priority rookie free agents.
Sports Illustrated’s Andy Benoit: B
Benoit was a fan of each of the Titans’ first three picks, noting how all are the right fits for what the Titans want to do and need on both sides of the ball.
What they said:
It’s straightforward: When you’re a run-heavy team and you just lost your quality right tackle in free agency, it’s imperative you find a new quality right tackle. Quality offensive tackles require an early-round pick. Especially when that tackle weighs 350 and is athletic.
What’ll be interesting is to see if Isaiah Wilson, at his size, can play at the NFL level with the needed quickness and mobility for Tennessee’s wide-zone blocking scheme. He wouldn’t be here if the Titans had many doubts that he could.
Adding a run-blocker makes even more sense if you add a dynamic runner later. Third-rounder Darrynton Evans has big-time home-run hitting ability, and Tennessee’s wide-zone rushing attack presents opportunities for him to find space on the perimeter. He’ll fill departed veteran Dion Lewis’s old role and, given Derrick Henry’s passing game limitations, likely get every chance to earn the third-down duties.
There were some concerns about Kristian Fulton’s inconsistent balance and technique at LSU, but he often compensated with his late recovery ability. Those recovery skills may not transfer cleanly to the much more competitive NFL, but the good news is Fulton steps into a scheme that features a lot of disguised zone coverage, including heavy doses of Cover 2. That can hide some of his warts.
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer: A
The Titans go right to the head of the class in Iyer’s eyes, as he gave general manager Jon Robinson and Co. an “A” for its draft class.
What they said:
The Titans didn’t get edge-rush depth, but they did everything else they needed as Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel got a needed right tackle, third cornerback, second running back and rotational defensive tackle. Taking Fulton to play off Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson and Evans to complement Derrick Henry were especially terrific values.
USA TODAY’s Nate Davis: D+
This grade is the worst of the bunch for the Titans. Davis questions if Wilson will be ready right away to replace Conklin, on top of a few other issues he has with the class.
What they said:
Hard to argue with the program GM Jon Robinson and coach Mike Vrabel are building but unclear if this year’s picks will help much in 2020. First-round OT Isaiah Wilson is 21 and may not be ready to capably replace stud Jack Conklin, who’s now in Cleveland. Second-round CB Kristian Fulton must prove he’s past questionable off-field behavior. And third-round RB Darrynton Evans is a nice handcuff for 2019 rushing champ Derrick Henry, but it’s not clear if Evans is even ready for a third-round role at present.
Walter Football: B
What they said:
We were all shocked by what occurred in Mike Vrabel’s household during the draft, but Tennessee’s draft plans were far more predictable. It was the least-surprising thing in the world to see the team use its first-round choice on a blocker. Isaiah Wilson is a massive lineman, but isn’t limited athletically. He should be able to take over at right tackle at some point in the near future as a replacement for Jack Conklin.
The Titans also addressed their defensive line, albeit in Round 5. Still, they were able to get a nice value in Larrell Murchison. In between, the Titans addressed needs at cornerback and running back with Kristian Fulton and Darrynton Evans, respectively. Fulton was my least-favorite addition, as he was frequently torched last year. Still, the “C” the Titans were slapped with for him was the worst grade they received all weekend.
Tennessee didn’t have a spectacular or sex draft by any means, but this rock-solid haul was emblematic of the values this franchise holds.
Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey: B
In the last of our round-up, the Titans did a pretty good job in the eyes of Bleacher Report. Tansey doesn’t mention Wilson, but he does have positive things to say about Fulton and Evans.
What they said:
The fall of LSU defensive back Kristian Fulton ended at Tennessee’s second-round pick.
Fulton displayed some flaws during the national championship run, and he was overshadowed by freshman phenom Derek Stingley Jr., but he is a solid corner who could make re-signing Logan Ryan less of a priority.
Appalachian State running back Darrynton Evans could be a good third-round find as a different threat out of the backfield when Derrick Henry is on the sideline.
