CHICAGO —Titans general manager Jon Robinson isn't in the Windy City.
He's hunkered down at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, preparing for his first draft as a GM. About right now, he's probably checking the locks on the War Room.
Before making a pick, Robinson has already left a mark on this year's draft. In fact, analysts here are praising the first-year Titans GM for his offseason plan – and execution.
"So far, I think he has been the MVP of the offseason,'' NFL Network analyst Charles Davis said of Robinson. "I know he doesn't want to hear about being a rookie, but let's face it, he is a rookie GM. And he's already pulled off one of the best moves of the draft as far as I'm concerned. Because when they come in there and offer you the king's ransom that you asked for, and you get it … He has to be applauded for that."
Earlier this month, the Titans shook up the NFL Draft by trading the No.1 pick to the Los Angeles Rams for a boatload of picks -- the 15th overall pick in this year's draft, two second-round picks (43 and 45), and a third-rounder (76) in 2016. The Titans will also receive the Rams' first-round pick in 2017, along with their third-round pick in next year's draft. In addition to Tennessee's No.1 pick this year, the Rams will also receive a fourth-round pick (113) and sixth-round pick (177) in 2016.
The move came on the heels of a busy free agency period for the Titans. The Titans have signed 10 players since the start of March, including a trade for former Cowboys and Eagles running back DeMarco Murray.
"I like what they have done quietly in free agency, and I like the move he made from 1 to 15,'' NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said. "Now (Robinson) and the Titans have a big weekend coming up. But I have always been a Jon Robinson fan. I think he is very well trained from back in New England and Tampa. To me, he is going to be a really good GM."
Robinson joined the Titans in January after spending the past two seasons as director of player personnel with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Prior to that, Robinson worked as New England's director of college scouting (2009-13) after serving as a regional scout and an area scout for the Patriots.
Leading up to the NFL Draft, which begins here on Thursday, NFL Network analysts were made available to speak to reporters at a luncheon at Gino's East.
Titans Online talked to four analysts about Robinson.
"I think he has a clear vision for the team he wants to put in place,'' analyst Bucky Brooks said of Robinson. "What he is trying to create is a consistent winner, a team that perennially and annually competes in the division. If you look at what he has done – he has accumulated enough picks to get enough blue-chip players to put them right back there in the mix. He also understands that with the quarterback he has in Marcus Mariota, he has to be protected and surrounded by the weapons to do what he does.
"If I had to grade him, I would give him an A for what he has done and the position he has put the team in prior to the draft."
Analyst Daniel Jeremiah said Robinson pulled off quite a move with the trade.
"I'll tell you what – he is a perfect match for what he brings to the table and the opportunity he has in front of him,'' Jeremiah said. "He already has his quarterback, and then to be able to spin that No.1 pick into what he did, he was smart to get what he got. I didn't think he'd be able to get all of that."
Counting the 15th overall pick, the Titans have six picks in the top 76 in this year's draft – 15, 33, 43, 45, 64 and 76. The Titans already held picks 33 and 64.
Robinson has made it clear he's willing to move up or down in the draft over the three-day weekend.
"Now he has to make the right picks,'' Brooks added. "But when you have six in the top 76 in a draft that is loaded with defensive players, he can get that defense back on track and put them back in the game."
