NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans had a dire need for a right tackle after last year’s third-rounder, Jeremiah Poutasi, was judged a guard by the new regime. Byron Bell was re-signed, but they need him to be a swing tackle or a guard. The team yielded a league-high 54 sacks last season, and quarterback Marcus Mariota missed four games and needed a month to rest and heal when his rookie season ended.
Enter Jack Conklin, selected in the first round with the No. 8 pick after the Titans traded up with the Cleveland Browns.
My take: General manager Jon Robinson said the team's first selection will be a tone-setter in more ways than one. The rest of the locker room will now look at Conklin and say, "That's the kind of guy they want here." He's a tough-minded, tough player, and the Titans don't have enough of those. Their hope is that his attitude can be contagious for the offensive line and the whole team.
Not cheap: The Titans gave up their first-round pick (No. 15) and a third-rounder (No. 76) plus a 2017 second-round pick in exchange for Nos. 8 and 176 (in the sixth round). That’s a pretty steep price, but the Titans gained a great deal of capital when they traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Rams and still have picks Nos. 33, 43, 45, 64, 140, 176 and 222 on Friday and Saturday.
Split opinions: Conklin’s critics aren’t sure he’ll pan out as an NFL right tackle and think he could wind up as a guard. Those analysts include ESPN’s Bill Polian, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, and Greg Cosell of NFL Films. But one high-ranking personnel man with another team told me earlier this week that Conklin is the “best OL in the draft” and said his “traits are rare.”
What’s next: The Titans still largely control the second day of the draft, with picks 33, 43 and 45 in the second round and pick 64 in the third round. Friday will be a busy night for the franchise, and Robinson could make another move or two to be sure he gets the players the Titans covet. They need a cornerback, a receiver and a pass-rusher.
