In many mock drafts, the player I want the Titans to select, Jack Conklin (OT, Michigan State) is there with 15th pick.
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The Tennessee Titans drafted former Alabama running back with the 45th pick in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
With the 45th-overall pick in the NFL Draft on Friday, the Titans selected Alabama running back Derrick Henry.
Reports of the trade surfaced before the draft, and it appears like the Browns may be targeting Laquon Treadwell with the newly acquired No. 15 overall pick.
Pro Football Focus went with the individual grades as well, showering Middle Tennessee State safety Kevin Byard (“B+”) with praise: “One of our favorite players in the draft, Byard may be the best single-high free safety in the draft…”
It was also quite a reversal of fortunes for Conklin, who as a walk-on athlete in the fall of 2012 got to pay for his own tuition, room and board and all he received in return from MSU coach Mark Dantonio was an opportunity to compete for a scholarship, and someday maybe even playing time.
“We couldn’t be happier for Austin”, said Penn State head coach James Franklin in a statement.
“We have a lot to improve on up there – as we do a lot of places”, coach Mike Mularkey said. Since 2004, Tennessee has had just three winning seasons, two playoff berths and haven’t won a postseason game since 2003. I don’t know, but as far as his actual play, people say he is worth this pick and more.
“I fell in love with the program and everything they’re trying to build there”. That’s the kind of move you make for a franchise left tackle to protect the blindside of your franchise quarterback. If you’re wondering why they’d use a high draft pick on a back, when they already made the investment to trade for a veteran workhorse in March, it comes back to taking pressure off Mariota.
Conklin spoke with members of the Nashville media via conference call shortly after his selection by the Titans and said he felt the Titans wanted him following his visit to Nashville. They shipped the No. 2 pick and a fourth-round choice in 2017 to the Eagles in exchange for No. 8, selections in the third (No. 77) and fourth (No. 100) rounds this year, a first-round pick next year and a second-round choice in 2018. Outside linebacker Derrick Morgan racked up 4.5 sacks early in the year, but his season was cut short because of a shoulder injury.
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But given the state of the Panthers’ cornerback group, my feeling is they have to take a corner Friday night and should probably add a second CB by the end of the weekend. How much do you value a defensive linemen in a 3-4 scheme?
