2020 NFL Draft: Tennessee Titans 7-round mock
By Nick Villano
The Tennessee Titans were one of the biggest surprises this year. How can they use the NFL Draft to answer some questions in the offseason?
The Tennessee Titans could look very different next year.
Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, Jack Conklin, Marcus Mariota, and Logan Ryan are among the 22 players who are seeing their contract end in the next few weeks.
With the Titans forced to likely pay big money for their quarterback and running back, it’s going to cut into their $57 million in cap space this offseason. In fact, those two players might take up at least $40 million of that, leaving the Titans with around $17 million to fill some very crucial positions.
Of course, there will be roster cuts and other moves to create space, but the main concept here is the Titans need to hit on their draft picks because free agency isn’t the biggest option.
First Round
EDGE. Penn State. Yetur Gross-Matos. player. 806. Scouting Report. 29. Pick Analysis
The Titans have to address their pass rush in the first round. Their edge rush is below-average, and they play in a conference with Deshaun Watson, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. Without a pass rush, they won’t see themselves getting very far in the playoffs again.
Harold Landry was a nice find for the Titans, and he has two more years left on his rookie deal, so that gives them flexibility to fill other front-seven positions. However, there’s a glaring hole at defensive end. There are some really good, but possibly really expensive options in free agency like Jadeveon Clowney. It would be much better for the Titans to look in the draft.
Yetur Gross-Matos has been called the most underrated defensive end in college football. That sounds like a perfect fit for a Titans team that has been glassed over for the past decade, despite some good results.
This kid is massive. He stands at 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds. This monster on the line can play all positions, even lining up over the ball when called upon. However, the Titans need him to step up with his unique speed for a man of his size.
There’s a possibility that Gross-Matos will be taken before the Titans 29th pick in this draft, but this could be an incredibly high upside play if he’s available.