Tennessee Titans: Who Would the Titans Protect in an NFL Expansion Draft?

If you're a Nashville Predators or hockey fan in general, you know that the NHL's newest expansion team had their draft earlier this week. The Seattle Kraken welcomed their inaugural squad, a group of players that other teams had to give up. The entire process got the entire Twitter-verse (and myself) thinking. If the NFL […]

Adam Holt — NFL News Writer
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If you're a Nashville Predators or hockey fan in general, you know that the NHL's newest expansion team had their draft earlier this week. The Seattle Kraken welcomed their inaugural squad, a group of players that other teams had to give up. The entire process got the entire Twitter-verse (and myself) thinking. If the NFL wanted to add a new team, which players would specific teams protect? Specifically, who would the Tennessee Titans protect?

There are many factors to consider. Contract length, salary, age, role, and development all come into play in this scenario. It's very different from the yearly NFL draft because many of the exposed players are NFL veterans or unproven players. Occasionally, some big names are on the table as well due to cap space concerns.

Carter Donnick, of The Draft Network, sparked this social media discussion earlier this week.

To make it a little more difficult, I'm only going to protect seven offensive and seven defensive players.

Offense

  • Ryan Tannehill, Quarterback: Tannehill has been one of the most efficient QBs in the NFL over the last couple of seasons. His contract's yearly salary will continue to look better as the market continues to expand as well.
  • Derrick Henry, Running Back: It's Derrick Henry. No explanation needed.
  • A.J. Brown, Wide Receiver: Brown is one of the most explosive, young pass-catchers in the league. He's also still playing on his very affordable rookie deal.
  • Julio Jones, Wide Receiver: Even though Julio is very expensive and an older receiver, his value is still extremely high as one of the best WRs in the NFL when healthy. The Titans also just traded draft capital to acquire him, and that cannot be wasted.
  • Taylor Lewan, Offensive Tackle: Lewan is the leader of a great OL unit. Having a franchise LT is way too valuable to risk in this scenario.
  • Nate Davis, Offensive Guard: Nate Davis continues to be underrated. Many outside of the Titans fanbase/media believe he is just a replaceable piece, but he was so much more than that last year. He will continue to develop at an affordable price, too.
  • Ben Jones, Center: The Titans' Center has been very solid and reliable over the past couple of seasons. His contract also looks like a bargain based on the growth of the OL market.

Defense

  • Jeffery Simmons, Defensive Lineman: Simmons is at the center of the young Titans defensive core. He's shown consistent flashes from the interior and the edge. This was the easiest defensive choice.
  • Bud Dupree, EDGE Rusher: The Titans paid Dupree big money this off-season. They'll look for him to be an ultra-productive pass-rusher, and they need that production.
  • Harold Landry, EDGE Rusher: Landry has not put up big numbers so far in his career in Tennessee, but he is still a cheap, good option on defense. The Titans would need to protect those sort of guys.
  • Jayon Brown, Linebacker: Tennessee brought Brown back on a very team-friendly deal this off-season. If he can stay healthy, he is one of their best value players.
  • Kevin Byard, Safety: Byard hasn't had quite the ball production since his eight-interception 2017 campaign. Regardless, having him on the backend is vital to the rest of the young secondary.
  • Amani Hooker, Safety: The Iowa product had 4 interceptions last year in his sophomore campaign. He's shown potential in limited playing time and is a dependable special teams player for the Titans as well.
  • Rashaan Evans, Linebacker: Evans is in the final year of his rookie contract, and he'll need to prove himself a bit more for an extension. Regardless, the Titans need the LB depth. He can still play at a high level when at full strength.

Notable unprotected players

  • Rodger Saffold, Offensive Guard
  • Anthony Firkser, Tight End
  • Denico Autry, Defensive Lineman
  • Dane Cruikshank, Safety/ST
  • Janoris Jenkins, Cornerback
  • Kristian Fulton, Cornerback

Don't forget that the Titans would only lose one of their unprotected guys in this draft. There would be some tough decisions to make, but I did my best to keep the team's core intact.

Featured Image via USA TODAY-Sports

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