The Tennessee Titans have executed a historic draft trade with the Los Angeles Rams that includes the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft.
Two weeks before the start of the draft, the Titans shipped the top pick to Los Angeles for two first-round picks (one in 2017), two second-round picks and two third-round picks (one in 2017).
Let’s break down that trade: pic.twitter.com/RU4luOUQDc
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) April 14, 2016
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The Rams, who also received fourth- and sixth-round picks back from Tennessee, are expected to use their new opportunity at No. 1 overall to take a franchise quarterback.
Titans general manager Jon Robinson said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to significantly increase his draft capital over the next two seasons.
“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,’’ Robinson said.
Despite possessing the first overall pick, the Titans already have a franchise quarterback in Marcus Mariota—last year’s second overall selection. Tennessee was widely reported to be interested in taking either Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil or Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey at No. 1 overall.
For now, the Titans will fall back to No. 15 overall in the first round, although Robinson isn’t ruling out anything.
“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.”
The Titans currently hold six picks in the first three rounds of the draft: No. 15, 33, 43, 45, 64 and 76.
“In the end we thought it was a decision that was best for this football team,” Robinson said. “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.”
Draft picks are only valuable if good players are picked with the selections. The Titans—who already acquired former rushing champion DeMarco Murray this offseason—could position the franchise as a contender for years with a strong usage of the draft capital they now possess over the next two offseasons.
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