Titans Draft Rumors: Tennessee to take Laremy Tunsil No. 1?

Are the Titans eying an offensive tackle with the No. 1 overall pick?

The Super Bowl is this Sunday but the offseason started weeks ago for the Tennessee Titans. Even before Week 17’s finale, the Titans knew they were out of the playoff hunt and were locking up the top draft pick for this spring. The question is who Tennessee will spend that pick on — and it might not be the sexy name you’re thinking.

While Tennessee drafted Marcus Mariota last year, many believe that Joey Bosa will be the name called first overall if the Titans hang onto their top pick.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, there is a growing belief that the Titans will use the No. 1 overall pick on Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to solidify their frontline protection of Marcus Mariota.

"If Tennessee remains at No. 1, NFL personnel executives said this week that there was a real chance the Titans would take Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. That would give them bookend tackles with Taylor Lewan to protect Marcus Mariota and to run the ball for years to come."

While it’s hardly a sexy pick — as offensive lineman never are — it’s one that makes sense. Teams may waste the shock and awe factor on taking offensive lineman, especially first overall, but the long term protection of Marcus Mariota is what is most important here.

While taking Bosa would no doubt bolster the defense, Mariota is the face of the franchise and the team’s best hope to develop into contenders in the future. Protecting him — which didn’t happen so great this past season — is what needs to be the priority for the Titans.

Tunsil and Lewan on the same line sounds like a great way to anchor the offensive line for years to come.