We noted this week that Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil has emerged as the favorite to go to the Titans as the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. But the Titans may have a better option: Trading down.
Mike Mayock said on an NFL Media conference call today that he thinks the No. 2 left tackle in this year’s draft, Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley, is also an elite prospect. And Mayock thinks some team may fall in love with a quarterback like Cal’s Jared Goff or North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz and offer the Titans a package of picks for the first pick. If that happens, Mayock thinks the Titans should take the offer, then try to get Stanley.
“I don’t think the difference between Tunsil and Ronnie Stanley is all that great, so if they were able to move down a few spots and still get an offensive tackle,” Mayock said.
The Titans have made clear that protecting Marcus Mariota is their top priority, and so it’s highly likely that they’ll draft a left tackle. But it won’t necessarily be first overall.