2016 NFL Draft: Predicting Tennessee Titans Pick

There is the outside chance at this stage that the #1 pick may belong to a different team before the 2016 NFL draft begins at the end of April.  Then again, it’s important to remember something.  The 1st selection has not been traded since 2001.  Technically some will argue it was 2004, but that was the year San Diego elected to deal Eli Manning, who they’d already picked, to the New York Giants in a swap for Philip Rivers and a package of extra picks.

The last time a team actually moved up on the board to the top slot to get a player was in ’01 when the Atlanta Falcons made a deal with San Diego (ironically).  They used that pick to grab Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick.  It has been 14 years and counting since that has happened.  So it’s no surprise many people are shrugging at the idea the Titans might get a team to bite.

The more interest prospect is trying to predict who they will take at that spot.  Most experts have reached an agreement that it will come down to one of two players.  Either it will be Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil or Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey.  Both are considered the absolute best players in the class and fit key needs on the Titans roster.  The question is who will they go with?

Common sense says they go for Tunsil considering how poorly protected Marcus Mariota was in 2015, and that can’t continue if they wish to turn the young quarterback into the star he can be.  However, there is a growing belief that they’re better off taking Ramsey.  Why?  The feeling is they should be able to collect some solid offensive line talent early in the 2nd round.

A sentiment shared by Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller.

"“The 2016 NFL draft is five weeks away, and unless the Tennessee Titans trade the No. 1 overall pick, my hunch is they’ll draft Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey and look to improve the offensive line in Round 2.”"

It’s not a crazy motive.  As good as Tunsil is, this 2016 draft seems to have a rare abundance of athletic pass protectors.  Names like Jason Spriggs of Indiana, Shon Coleman of Auburn and Le’Raven Clark of Texas Tech are all ranked high on boards for their size and movement skills.  They’re also expected to be available in the 2nd round.  With Tennessee holding the #33 pick, chances are very good that they’re bound to get one of those players.  At the same time, nobody even comes close to the versatile ability Ramsey offers.  He’s a rare breed who is just as good at corner as he is at safety.  One can imagine what Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau might be able to do with him.

It’s a fascinating scenario that could create one of the bigger debates around the #1 pick in recent memory.  A welcome change to latest run of anticlimactic choices.