INDIANAPOLIS – The popular opinion among national observers is the Titans will use the No.1 pick of the NFL Draft on Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
In turn, the team would then move Taylor Lewan from left tackle to right tackle.
Here at the NFL Combine, Titans general manager Jon Robinson and coach Mike Mularkey were both questioned about the possibility of moving Lewan on the offensive line by next season. They didn't tip their hand, of course. But they didn't rule anything out either.
Robinson said protecting quarterback Marcus Mariota is priority No.1 for the Titans.
"Taylor is a good football player. He has played a lot of football, blocked a lot of pass rushers,'' Robinson said. "He is a tough, smart player and he is a good athlete, and I think for offensive linemen, that is important, the versatility to play more than one position.
"I think in the end we are going to try and put our best five up there that give us a chance to win football games. Right now Taylor Lewan is our left tackle and we're proud that he is our left tackle."
Mularkey said Lewan, the 11th overall pick in the 2014, "can play a lot of places."
Titans head coach Mike Mularkey and GM Jon Robinson make media rounds at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. (Photos: Gary Glenn, Dwight Spradlin)
Lewan started 15 games for the Titans in 2015, and has started 21 games over his first two NFL seasons.
"He is a very good football player, and I could see that if there was ever a scenario that came up,'' Mularkey said. "I just think his athletic ability allows him to do multiple things, I really do. He is capable of playing multiple positions because of that."
In 28 career games as the Rebels' left tackle, Tunsil (6-5, 305) was responsible for only two sacks allowed. Robinson said he'll be evaluated further.
"He has played a lot of football in the SEC,'' Robinson said of Tunsil. "He is a good athlete, he has done a nice job. He has blocked a lot of really good football players. I haven't met him yet, but I am looking forward to meeting him and getting to know him a little bit."
