NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Two weeks before the NFL Draft, the Titans have pulled off a historic trade aimed to "bolster the roster" and better the team for years to come.
The Titans have agreed to trade the No.1 pick of the draft to the Los Angeles 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 trade, 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.
"Being able to acquire six players in the top 76 this year, along with next year when you factor that into it — I am assuming five in the top three rounds — that is 11 players that we can add to this football team that should not only increase our depth, but give us good quality players at all those positions,'' Titans general manager Jon Robinson said.
"In the end we thought it was a decision that was best for this football team. It made sense for us to do it, and that's why we moved on it. We talked to several teams about the pick. There was interest in the pick, and in the end we thought this was the option that made the most sense for us...We think we can really bolster this roster with the picks that we now have."
Robinson said the two teams made the trade now for planning purposes for both teams leading up to the April 28-30 draft in Chicago. The two teams had been in discussions for several weeks before "things fell into place" on Thursday morning. Robinson said he "talked to a couple of teams" over the last few weeks about the pick.
"There wasn't any framework in place (from a previous deal) that we were working off of,'' Robinson said. "With the No.1 overall pick, there were a lot of factors that were talked about in making that move and in the end we weighed all of those factors and what it would take for a team to come to the No.1 overall pick.
"In the end this was a deal we agreed on."
Robinson took over as general manager of the Titans earlier this offseason after working previously in front offices with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Today's trade is yet another bold move for Robinson, who traded for former Eagles and Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray earlier this offseason. The Titans have added 10 new players this offseason.
"It is a big decision for this football team,'' Robinson said of the trade. "It is not often that you have the number one pick and we hope to not be in this position again. But we tried to use that pick as currency to work the draft and maximize our player acquisition."
In recent days, the Titans have entertained Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey and Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner on pre-draft visits. The team is also scheduled host Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil and Ohio State defensive lineman Joey Bosa.
Robinson said the trade only rules one thing out for the Titans. With plenty of ammunition, he acknowledged the team has plenty of options leading up to the draft.
"This move does not knock us out of any player, except one,'' Robinson said. "We now have the ammunition to work the draft and acquire players that are going to be good for this football team."
TRADE BY NUMBERS
Titans receive from Rams:
1st round pick (15 overall)
2nd round pick (43)
2nd round pick (45)
3rd round pick (76)
1st round pick in 2017
3rd round pick in 2017
Rams receive from Titans:
1st round pick (1 overall)
4th round pick (113)
6th round pick (177)
