Alshon Jeffery: 5 best fits in NFL free agency
By Brad Weiss
Tennessee Titans
AFC, South
During the 2015 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans selected Marcus Mariota out of the University of Oregon with the second overall pick. Since that day, Mariota has become one of the best young quarterbacks in the league, and he really took a giant leap forward in 2016. The Titans made a serious run to the playoffs, and had Mariota not broken his leg against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, they just may have been able to lock up the division title.
Heading into the 2017 season, the Titans hold two picks in the first round of the NFL Draft. They traded the first overall pick to the Los Angeles Rams last season, and in return, they will select in their spot this season. Tennessee is expected to strengthen their secondary with their first selection, but the odds are they will bring in some talent at wide receiver when they make their second pick in the round.
This past season, Mariota was able to put together a solid season despite the fact that he did not have a true WR1 on the roster. Players like Rishard Matthews and Tajae Sharpe did a nice job producing, but they cannot be relied upon to be the kind of game-breaking player the organization needs at this point. While the Titans may draft a player like John Ross or Corey Davis in April, the need for a veteran playmaker cannot be overlooked.
Jeffery would do wonders for a young player like Mariota, who has developed nicely over the past two seasons despite not playing in an NFL offense in college. Running backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry are a fantastic combination at the position, and the team has a great veteran tight end in Delanie Walker. A player like Jeffery could be the final piece in a puzzle that could see the Titans vault up to the top of the AFC South in 2017.