BTSC Live Draft Recap

Over the weekend, I participated in the somewhat annual seven round Live Draft held at the Steelers’ SB Nation site. It was certainly interesting how it played out but here are the resulting trades and selections: A big shoutout to the GMs and Pittsblitz for holding it down.

Trades:

Jacksonville receives: 2.57

Titans receive: 2.61 + 4.129

Green Bay receives 5.162

Titans receive: 6.186, 6.207. 7.232, 7.239

Texans receive: 7.232 + 7.239

Titans receive: 6.214

Selections:

1.25 Josh Sweat 6’4 251 EDGE Junior Florida State

- My rationale was that the Titans really need a edge rusher to help Brian Orakpo and/or Derrick Morgan age gracefully as the years go on. Sweat is a pass rush terror for any lineman to go against. He has speed and length for days on end. Has bulked up considerably since his freshman year. Athletic freak. Vastly underutilized weapon. His medical history, while a concern, is clear since he has taken the brace off with no ill effects. Character and work ethic are pluses.

2.61 Uchenna Nwosu 6’2 251 OLB Senior USC

- Another pass rusher here to bulk up the depth chart and to groom for eventuality that the current starters are moved on. Nwosu was seen at USC’s pro day being extensively worked out by HC Mike Vrabel so he made sense in this way as well. He’s not the greatest athlete but produces nonetheless. Can be used in a variety of ways in the “front multiplicity” heralded by new DC Dean Pees.

3.89 Nyheim Hines 5’8 198 RB Junior North Carolina State

- Hines is an electrifying athlete that is extremely versatile out of the backfield. He can also contribute to special teams as well. NH is a solid pickup here for a LaFleur offense looking to get faster on the perimeter. LaFleur even was in charge of Hines’ Pro Day workout as well so that idea is there.

4.125 Isaac Yiadom 6’1 190 CB Senior Boston College

- Yiadom is a big corner with great athleticism to stay step for step with the faster receivers on the outside. He can play a bit role immediately in the upgraded cornerback room that the Titans have. While not exactly built as a pure slot corner, he has the potential to start there and move over to the outside if Logan Ryan is moved on eventually. The corner market in the fourth round was particularly robust so I felt that it was necessary to get one here.

4.129 Tre’Quan Smith 6’2 203 WR Junior Central Florida

- Another weapon for Marcus Mariota to grow up with. Smith was the go to key for the resurgent Golden Knights program that went from winless to undefeated in just two years.

6.186 Will Clapp 6’4 311 C/G Junior LSU

- Clapp is a nice depth piece to have on the line and can push Ben Jones for the center job in 2019, if not 2018. He can also play guard as well so the competition at the position improves. He had a solid Combine by all accounts.

6.199 Bilal Nichols 6’4 306 DT Senior Delaware

- Nichols would fit in as a more than capable rotation piece right off the bat. He reportedly blew up at his Pro Day after showing out at the other offseason events. He’s a steal at this rate because there are services that rate him higher than the sixth round. In fact, I couldn’t type his name in fast enough when I was on the clock. DL coach Terrell Williams was present at his Pro Day. An athletic force.

6.207 Kenny Young 6’1 236 ILB Senior UCLA

- Young has been a productive linebacker for the Bruins amidst the constant turmoil the program is under. He posted 304 tackles, 2 interceptions and 6.5 sacks in his career. A veteran that has seen everything the PAC-12 has to offer. Increased his numbers every year. The Titans have had a pipeline of Bruins linebackers recently and he’s just the latest. Smart as well. Landed on the Athletic Director’s academic honor roll 3 years running.

6.214 Nic Shimonek 6’3 220 QB Senior Texas Tech

- Shminoek was the BQBA here in the late sixth round so with the last pick that I had, I decided to take him. After further research on him, he’s not that bad as some make him out to be. He currently projects to be a halfway decent backup with some further development. He needs a lot of coaching for sure.