NFL Draft: Titans Trade Up For Jake Conklin, Get First Round Help For Marcus Mariota

Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Jack Conklin (Michigan State) is selected by the Tennessee Titans as the number eight overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Jack Conklin (Michigan State) is selected by the Tennessee Titans as the number eight overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee moved up to pick Offensive Lineman Jack Conklin on Thursday night and made possibly the smartest move in the 2016 NFL Draft.

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The Tennessee Titans traded away the top pick in the NFL Draft for more than a handful of picks in the 2016 NFL Draft. On Thursday night they used some of those picks, and a few for next season to bring in immediate help for Quarterback Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Offensive Line in selecting Michigan State Lineman Jack Conklin in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

The trade was made with Cleveland, who moved down to the 15th selection and also picked up the 76th and 176th pick this year leaving Tennessee with three selections on Saturday and five remaining in the Draft. It allowed Tennessee to go after a player they wanted since he visited Nashville according to USA Today. Jake Conklin proved his durability in college starting 35 of 38 games. His blocking ability inside will be an asset for a team that saw their franchise Quarterback sacked way too many times last season.

The pick now allows Tennessee to go after some other Offensive pieces for Marcus Mariota and either another part of the Line or a Running Back, which I expect they may take both on Friday with three selections available. We know that the Titans were likely going to select an Offensive Lineman in the first round, probably even with that first pick before it was traded. They still got their man and did not lose much in the process. Looking back in a few years it may have been the best move in the entire draft for a team looking to rebuild.

Next: 49ers Select Oregon's DeForest Buckner

The 2016 NFL Draft continues on Friday night from Chicago.

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