NFL Roundtable: Who Might Trade For Titans #1 Pick?
By Erik Lambert
New is circulating already that the Tennessee Titans plan to make the #1 overall pick in the 2016 draft open for business. In other words, any team interested in moving to the top for a player they want is free to make an offer and they’ll listen. Whether that actually can happen is another matter, so we asked the Mocks crew about it in another NFL roundtable.
Matthew Holowiak:
I could see chip Kelly and the 49ers moving up no question. However who they go up for is a mystery. I could very well see them move up if Goff has a good combine and proday, but still just as likely for Bosa as well.
Shawn Spencer:
The Titans can put the pick up for sale all they want, I don’t see any takers. A team would have to fall in love with a QB for a trade to take place and there isn’t a team in the top 10 that should be willing to make a deal. The Cowboys believe they can win now with Tony Romo, so a trade doesn’t make sense for them. The only other team that may be looking for a QB in the top 10 would be the 49ers. The problem there is the 49ers have so many holes in the roster that trading away multiple picks hurts their future. When Chip Kelly was in Philadelphia, there were reports that he wanted to bring in Colin Kaepernick for 2016. Now he has Kap and all of a sudden he’s going to make a trade for Carson Wentz? Not going to happen.
If there is one team that could shock everyone and move up, it’s the Cleveland Browns. Yes they hold the second pick, but remember…this is the Browns we’re talking about. In 2012, they became so convinced that Minnesota had a deal in place that involved Trent Richardson going third overall. The Browns took the bait and moved up one spot (trading away their first, fourth, fifth and seventh-round picks) to grab Richardson. If they covet Wentz or Goff as bad as they did Richardson, a deal could be made.
Brady Lunt:
I agree with Shawn. We’ve seen teams make the #1 overall pick available, but nothing really changes because they feel they deserve a kings ransom for it. I could see Cleveland moving up just to ensure they get their quarterback and it wouldn’t be as ridiculous a price, but don’t foresee any changes to the order. The Titans will most likely stay put and pick the guy they believe is the top player in the draft.
Erik Lambert:
A trade for the #1 pick in the draft hasn’t happened since 2001 and that was for a once-in-a-generation type of talent in Michael Vick. As yet no player from the 2016 class has emerged with that kind of hype. Still, there is no telling how high the asking price will be for Tennessee. They could very well offer a discount if the offers are few. Two teams I could see making the move, and this will surprise some people, are the Cowboys and Giants.
Surprised? Well if there is one prospect in this class that is as close to a home run as one can get, it’s Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa. He has the look of a dominant pass rusher with size, strength, nastiness and athleticism. Word is Dallas will part ways with Greg Hardy after one season. Like it or not their pass rush will suffer, even if it’s the right move. Jumping up to grab Bosa would solve their problem.
The same goes for New York. Defense, or lack there of, over the past few years has centered around an inconsistent and often inept pass rush. The injury to Jason Pierre-Paul and his pending free agency status only magnifies the problem. Bosa might be their best hope to solving it. Besides, they need a building block on that side of the ball.