Fansided

2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Titans could take in Round 1

By Rucker Haringey

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 2: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans hands off the ball to Derrick Henry at Nissan Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 2: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans hands off the ball to Derrick Henry at Nissan Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 21: Washington defensive back Byron Murphy (1) lines up for a drill before the University of Washington Spring Game at Husky Stadium on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – APRIL 21: Washington defensive back Byron Murphy (1) lines up for a drill before the University of Washington Spring Game at Husky Stadium on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Byron Murphy

Logan Ryan is firmly entrenched as a starter on one side, but Malcolm Butler showed real signs of slipping in 2018. Grabbing one of the draft’s best cornerbacks could pay big dividends for the Titans.

This might be a little high to select Murphy, but he represents a great combination of college production and potential. That fact that he racked up seven interceptions at Washington last season illustrates just how dangerous he can be when the ball’s thrown his way.

The knock against Murphy is that he doesn’t have elite size or speed for the position. Frankly, the instincts he shows on his collegiate tape should silence those concerns. At worst, he’s a guy who will develop into one of the better slot corners in the NFL. At best, he could become a legitimate Pro Bowler on the outside.

The Titans might decide they like another available defender a little more than Murphy when push comes to shove, but he’d be an excellent selection for them. The former Washington star likely represents Tennessee’s floor on Day One.

Home/Tennessee Titans