While we’ve already made some level-headed predictions for the Tennessee Titans in the 2020 NFL Draft, it’s time to dig deep and take some chances with BOLD predictions.
Here’s a look at five of them.
Bold Prediction No. 1
Corey Davis gets traded
With the Titans unlikely to pick up Corey Davis’ fifth-year option, the former No. 5 overall pick is heading for free agency next offseason. And, chances are if that happens, he won’t be returning to Nashville in 2021.
Instead of allowing him to walk for nothing (or very little should he garner a compensatory pick down the road), the Titans will deal Davis and recoup a mid-round pick in this year’s draft.
This will also open up a few extra bucks to sign Jadeveon Clowney, as the Titans would save about $4 million by dealing Davis.
Bold Prediction No. 2
Titans take a WR early, with or without a Davis trade
Most mocks (including my own) have the Titans going with some combination of a cornerback, defensive lineman or offensive tackle with their first two to three picks, which is certainly a logical approach.
Even if the Titans don’t trade Davis, general manager Jon Robinson will pull the trigger on a wide receiver with his second pick from a draft class that is historically deep at the position. This will be in preparation for Davis’ eventual departure, whether that time comes in 2020 or 2021.
Bold Prediction No. 3
Titans will make at least three trades
Not counting the Corey Davis trade we already discussed, the Titans are going to make at least three trades involving draft picks to move either up or down in this year’s draft.
The first of which will come at No. 29 overall, which will net the Titans a fourth-round pick, on top of the extra second-round pick they’ll get. Once that’s done, Tennessee will then pull off another trade to move up from the end of the second round to grab the wide receiver they want.
A little bit later, Tennessee is going to go all-in on trading up for Amik Robertson at the top of the third round to secure a player who could be a fixture in the slot for years to come.
Bold Prediction No. 4
Titans won’t take EDGE or RT in first five rounds
It’s one thing to say the Titans won’t take an EDGE at all in this year’s draft, but it’s another thing to say the team won’t address either EDGE or offensive tackle with a meaningful pick, as those are two of the positions most talked about in team circles.
The Titans have a solid group of EDGE defenders as is after the signing of Vic Beasley and the re-signing of Kamalei Correa — and I believe that group will get another huge addition in the coming days or weeks in the form of Jadeveon Clowney.
As far as right tackle goes, the Titans already have a starter in Dennis Kelly, who is signed to a three-year deal and has proven to be a viable No. 1 after filling in for Jack Conklin in 2018. His deal is also very reasonable.
The Titans are more set at these positions than a lot of people give them credit for, thus they won’t address them in any of the first five rounds.
Bold prediction No. 5
Titans will take two CBs
The Titans don’t just need a solution at slot corner for this season, but they also need an outside corner for 2021 because I simply don’t believe they’ll want to keep Malcolm Butler at the $14.2 million salary he’ll make next year.
After taking a cornerback with their first pick, the Titans are going to be aggressive in trying to land a slot corner in the third round. This way, Tennessee would have multiple options at the position for this season.
With this approach, Tennessee would solve their depth issue for 2020 and would have secured their secondary until 2022 when Adoree’ Jackson is set to become a free agent.
