NASHVILLE – Happy Easter weekend to all.
Hope everyone is staying healthy and safe.
We're closing in on the NFL Draft – it's now less than two weeks away.
The Titans are scheduled to pick 29th overall in the first round.
Let's dive into another mailbag and see what everyone wants to discuss…
John G from Chicago, Illinois
Question: The Titans drafting needs by position is well documented, but something tells me that Jon Robinson goes after the best talent in round 1, regardless of position. Do you also feel this could be the case?
Jim: Hey John. Picking at No.29, you just don't know what is going to happen in front of you – which players other teams pick, which players fall, etc. I've seen plenty of Titans picked in the first round, starting with Jevon Kearse in 1999, who maybe weren't expected to be around. At this point, I look at the team's roster and I see a need on the d-line, in the secondary, at back-up running back, among other spots. I suspect the first pick will address an immediate need, but if someone with great value falls to 29, then the best player available approach could be in play.
Derrell Lyles from Lanham, Maryland
Question: Hi Jim. I hope you and your family are healthy and safe. Since the Titans are in the hunt for a pass rusher, have you heard anything about the team looking at Yannick Ngakoue? I know he is under a franchise tag and not really sure what the Titans would have to give up to get him (probably too much)? But I just wanted to find out if we have made any contact with Jacksonville about him and your opinion on whether he would be a good fit.
Jim: Hi Derrell. Hope all is well with you as well. I've read where Ngakoue wants to be traded. But I've also read where Jaguars owner Shad Khan wants to keep him. I haven't heard his name mentioned as a possibility in Tennessee. If the Jaguars did decide to trade him, I'd be shocked if they dealt him to a division rival.
Jesse Haynie from Corinth, Mississippi
Question: Hey Jim! First time writer but have been reading your post for over a year now. Thanks for keeping us fans updated. My question is where are we with the resigning of Logan Ryan? To me he was a key piece of the defense the last couple of years and would love to see him back. Thanks!
Jim: Hi Jesse. Nothing new with Logan. It's in a holding pattern. I know some good free agents are still out there. Here's what happens this time of year: Teams oftentimes add a free agent at a position of need before the draft, so they can minimize the need of addressing that position in the draft. And some players like to have a landing spot before teams fill a need. I've also seen it the other way. If a team is unable to land someone it wanted in the draft at a position of need, it will circle back around and sign a free agent after the draft. Players sometimes prefer to wait until after the draft to see where their best landing spot might be. I'm not sure what Logan is thinking right now – I haven't talked to him since the end of the season. But I suspect something is going to go down either in the next 10 days, or right after the draft, either with the Titans or somewhere else.
Rodolfo Vázquez from República Dominicana
Question: Hola Jim, primera vez que escribo, soy titán desde que el equipo jugaba en Houston, y quiero saber, que están haciendo para mejorar la línea ofensiva y podamos establecer un ataque terrestre con Henry. De antemano mil gracias por tu atención.
Jim: Hola Rodolfo. Es bueno saber de ti. Bueno, después de despedirse de Jack Conklin en la agencia libre, el equipo volvió a firmar a Dennis Kelly. Luego, el equipo agregó al tackle Ty Sambrailo, anteriormente con los Falcons. Pude ver a Sambrailo ocupando el lugar de Kelly como el chico swing. La buena noticia es que la línea para 2020 está bastante establecida en este momento: LT Taylor Lewan, LG Rodger Saffold, C Ben Jones, RG Nate Davis y RT Dennis Kelly. Sin embargo, espero que se agreguen más piezas y competencia.
Carol Smith from Youngsville, New York
Question: Hi Jim. This question is for Roger Goodell, but since I don't have his email I'm sending it to you. If you like my idea maybe you could pass it along :)
It's about the draft. I feel like the fans (viewers) would love an opportunity to participate, because that's one of the things that makes the draft so fun. What if the NFL set up a way to virtually boo Roger, and each "boo" cost $2.00, and the money was sent to Covid relief. The network could figure out a way to create the "boo" sound, and track the funds. I think everybody would donate. We all need some fun...
Jim: Hi Carol. Not a bad idea... :)
Hunter Knopp from Franklin, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. I was wondering if the Titans are going to trade any of the three seventh round picks they own for this year's draft? If they were to trade all three draft picks to another team do you think they would trade for a player or a higher draft pick?
Jim: Hi Hunter. I think this is something that could transpire during the course of the draft, instead of the days leading up to it. And it wouldn't surprise me. A seventh-round pick could be used in a trade to jump up and get a guy if he's getting within range.
Ken Waters from Quitman, Mississippi
Question: Hello Jim, hope all is well. There are some good def lineman still available like D Wolfe, S Harris, Snacks Harrison, among others. Do you think the Titans sign one or is Jack Crawford satisfied that need? Personally, I think either of the former Broncos will be excellent fits.
Jim: Hey Ken. I like the addition of Crawford, but I'm sure not going to say the team is set now. I expect the Titans to address the defensive line further in the NFL Draft, and I'm not ruling out more help in free agency either.
Chad Alexander from Jacksonville, Florida
Question: Hi Jim, Titans fan checking in from behind enemy lines in Jacksonville. What would your comfort level be with Isaiah Mack taking over Jurrell Casey's position next year if we don't sign another DT in free agency or high in the draft? Scale of 1-10.
Jim: Hi Chad. Isaiah Mack is a great story, an underdog from Chattanooga who made the 53-man roster out of camp and played in 13 games. But I sure can't sit here and tell you I'm confident he'll take over for Jurrell. Let's face it: Isaiah was inactive the last six games of the season. Heading into 2020, his first priority should be to just make the team.
Eli Hamilton from Idaho Falls, Idaho
Question: Hey Jim, I am going to get straight to my question: If we don't land Clowney, is there a possibility we go out and try and get Clay Matthews?
Jim: Hey Eli. Let's see what happens with Clowney first …
Have a great weekend everyone!
