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ESPN’s Mel Kiper has released his second 2018 NFL mock draft (In$ider). Most mock drafts have the Titans picking an EDGE guy with the 25th pick. That’s not the case with Kiper in this one. He has the Titans picking Ronald Jones II, RB, USC. Here were his comments on the pick:
Tennessee is expected to part ways with DeMarco Murray, which means Derrick Henry becomes the primary back. New offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur spent time with the Falcons (2015-16) and Rams (2017), who both used their backs a lot in the passing game, and Jones could be a complementary back who helps there. He caught only 14 passes last season, but he has a lot of tools with which to work and has a lot of talent after the catch. I also thought about center or guard here, as the Titans need to upgrade the interior of their line.
There is no doubt that the Titans need a running back that can contribute in the passing game, but I doubt they go that direction in the first round. I would much prefer them target Sony Michel later in the draft.
It is also interesting to me that Harold Landry didn’t go in the first round of this mock from Kiper. He is a guy that is really intriguing to me. He goes top 15 if he is healthy between now and the draft and is able to work out. If not, he could be a steal at 25.