Titans Reportedly Trying to Trade into Top 10 of NFL Draft After Deal with Rams

The Tennessee Titans already made waves this offseason when they traded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft to the Los Angeles Rams, but they reportedly aren’t done exploring trade options.   

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, general manager Jon Robinson “is now exhausting possibilities to move back into the top 10 from the 15th pick.” La Canfora cited “numerous NFL executives” who believe Robinson will move back up in the draft in an effort to bolster a Titans squad that was a dismal 3-13 last season.

The Titans already received the Nos. 15, 43 (second round), 45 (second round) and 76 (third round) picks in this year’s draft as well as a first- and third-round selection in 2017 in exchange for the Nos. 1, 113 (fourth round) and 177 (sixth round) picks in this year’s draft in the deal with the Rams, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Getting that much quantity made sense for a team that struggled so much and has plenty of holes all over the field, but La Canfora cited some NFL executives who didn’t agree with Tennessee’s decision to forfeit the chance to land an instant difference-maker like Ole Miss’ Laremy Tunsil with the top overall pick.

The Titans need the quantity, but there has to be quality involved as well. Quarterback Marcus Mariota is the future of the franchise, and he lined up under center behind an offensive line that Football Outsiders ranked as the worst in the league in pass protection in 2015. Improving that offensive line has to become a priority so Mariota can continue his long-term development.

Along those lines, Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller recently had Tunsil as the No. 3 pick, Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley as the No. 8 pick, Michigan State’s Jack Conklin as the No. 14 pick and Ohio State’s Taylor Decker as the No. 15 pick in a mock draft. The Titans would greatly improve their chances of landing one of those impact offensive linemen if they moved up into the top 10. 

Robinson discussed the idea that his team could move up with so many picks (which he called "currency") in this draft after the trade with the Rams:

If the Titans are looking for a potential trade partner, La Canfora also pointed out that the Cleveland Browns “have become increasingly motivated to deal the second overall pick.” La Canfora said the Browns are interested in California quarterback Jared Goff, but plenty of executives believe the Rams will select him instead.

Before Titans fans become too excited about the prospect of moving as high as No. 2 in the near future, La Canfora did note any significant trade involving Tennessee may not happen until the first day of the draft on April 28.