NASHVILLE, Tenn. — NFL Network Mike Mayock liked the big trade – for the Titans and Rams.
Now, the Titans have to capitalize, he said.
"I kind of felt it was a win-win trade,'' Mayock said on a conference call on Friday. "I give L.A. credit for making the move to go up and get their guy at No.1, and I don't even care if they swing and miss. They're taking a swing and I respect that. From the Tennessee perspective, they already have their guy at quarterback (in Marcus Mariota) — that is the important distinction. And now they have to build around him.
"So Tennessee has six of the first 76 picks, plus next year. So what a wonderful opportunity to start to build the roster around your franchise quarterback."
So what should the Titans, now scheduled to pick at No.15 in the first round, do out of the gate?
Mayock is thinking offensive line, and a possible trade back up into the Top 10.
"If they want to go up,'' Mayock said of the Titans, "I think Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame) and Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss) are high-level left tackles, and both of those guys could slide down a little bit into that five, six, seven, eight area — either two of them or one of them.
"Does Tennessee want to move up and get left tackle so they can kick their left tackle, Taylor Lewan, over to the right side to help protect the quarterback? I think that is an obvious situation. And if they sit there, can they get the No.3 tackle sitting on the board, Jack Conklin (Michigan State) at 15?"
Mayock called Conklin one of his favorite players in the draft.
"If (Conklin) was there at 15, that would be a win," Mayock said. "You'd have bookend tackles and I think (Marcus Mariota) would be very happy. So I think if Conklin was there, that's a huge win. And then the next guy in line is Taylor Decker (Ohio State), and he could very well be in play for Tennessee at 15." The Titans traded the No.1 pick ,of the draft to the Rams for 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.
As a result of the move, the Titans now 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.
Mayock said the Titans could be eyeing help on the defensive line, and at edge rusher as well.
"I think they need to add a five-technique that also has some pass rush ability," Mayock said of the Titans. "I think they could roll into the second or third round to get that five technique. And I think they have to pay particular attention to the edge rushers in this draft. They have two solid guys coming off the edge – they have (Brian) Orakpo coming off one side and (Derrick) Morgan the other.
"But I think they need a young, fast, edge rusher and if they look at him at 15 it wouldn't surprise me. But in the second round, Kamalei Correa, from Boise State (is a possibility). Is (Eastern Kentucky's) Noah Spence still available? Shalique Calhoun (Michigan State)? They all kind of fit what Tennessee does.
"I am a big believer in this trade from both sides. I think Tennessee has a wonderful opportunity."
