INDIANAPOLIS -- Positional redundancy made me wary of Derrick Henry when the Tennessee Titans spent a second-rounder on him.
The Titans had traded for DeMarco Murray not long before they spent the 45th pick in the draft on the Heisman Trophy winner.
Henry didn’t play a great deal as a rookie. But the Murray-Henry combination worked out well, as the run game keyed Tennessee’s resurgence.
Now, a lot of NFL pundits are pairing the Titans with Alabama’s talented tight end O.J. Howard. My initial reaction: Sure Delanie Walker is getting older and Anthony Fasano is a free agent, but the Titans have dire needs at cornerback and wide receiver and would be better served to spend their high picks on people who will be able to get on the field sooner.
As I’ve talked to people at the combine, however, I’ve started to turn.
I’d still rather see the Titans use premium picks on players they love at corner and receiver.
But the idea of positional redundancy comes with a caveat: At a position that is crucial to a team’s identity, ensuring long-term resources is smart.
Mike Mularkey’s team is going to be run-based, and so any drop-off with a Murray injury would be killer. And they’ve got their next generation back in house for when Murray is done. Philosophical continuity should be ensured thanks to that pick.
If they choose Howard, it would be the same sort of thing. The Titans' passing offense is centered on tight end Walker. Howard didn’t catch a lot of passes in college, but he projects to be a similar kind of presence in the NFL.
Early in his career he’d be asked to block more, and he’d have to show he’s a reliable guy who can prevent injuries to Marcus Mariota and help carve out running room.
Hall of Fame GM Bill Polian said Howard is “from central casting.”
Whether or not the Titans grab Howard, they’ll be drafting a tight end. Walker is 32, as is Fasano, the Titans' top blocking tight end.
As the Titans continue to build, what I’ve often thought of as positional redundancy is more identity insurance.
