2020 NFL Draft: Five trade-up targets for the Tennessee Titans

Honorable mention: Lucas Niang, TCU, Round 2

One of the biggest free agent moves this offseason in my neck of the woods in northeast Ohio was the Cleveland Browns landing Jack Conklin. The Tennessee Titans used the fourth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft on the talented right tackle, and he had been a reliable anchor on their offensive line ever since.

Conklin was voted a first-team All-Pro in his very first season as a pro. He then continued to be reliable as a pass protector and run blocker, keeping his quarterback upright and opening holes for his running back no matter who was filling those roles.

Now that two guys have solidified themselves in those roles (and earned big-time money) in Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry, the Tennessee Titans just could not afford to give Conklin the three-year, $42 million contract that Cleveland did.

So now, the Titans have a very clear hole at right tackle that will need to be filled. The team resigned Dennis Kelly and brought in Ty Sambrailo, both of whom can play tackle, but both are better suited as depth options, filling in when and where necessary rather than starting on the outside of the line.

Therefore, the Tennessee Titans need to bring in a viable starter at the right tackle position that can more closely fill the void left by Conklin. With those types of players not seemingly available at this point in free agency, the team will likely turn their attention to the 2020 NFL Draft.

The best right tackle in the draft and arguably the best overall offensive lineman in the 2020 NFL Draft is widely regarded as Jedrick Wills Jr. Wills protected the blindside of southpaw Crimson Tide quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, at Alabama, proving to be a dominant force in all facets of the game.

Although he was on the right side of the line, he produced some of the soundest pass protection sets in all of college football. He has great feet, strong hands and his very smart as a blocker. He is also very tough in the run game, driving defenders back very consistently.

Wills didn’t light up the combine like Tristan Wirfs and isn’t as physically intimidating as Mekhi Becton, but he is probably the most well-rounded tackle prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft. Which type of prospect high-drafting teams value will likely determine how high Wills will land.

Wills could go as high as fourth overall to the tackle-needy New York Giants or could possibly even fall outside the top 15 depending on how the 2020 NFL Draft plays out. The latter scenario would provide the Tennessee Titans with the opportunity to move up from 29 to the mid to late teens to get their future franchise right tackle if he does actually fall.

Honorable mention, Lucas Niang of TCU, is one of my favorite players in the 2020 NFL Draft, especially for the Tennessee Titans. Like Wills, Niang played right tackle for the Horned Frogs and his an absolute mauler in the run game.

Also a very sound pass blocker, Niang would likely be a first-round pick if not for a 2018 injury. He should be in consideration for the Titans with pick 29 and should absolutely be a trade target in the second round if he begins to fall into the late 30s and 40s.