Do the Titans trade up (from #33) to nab Nkemdiche?

Nkemdiche is a lot like DGB last year. He has Top 10 talent, but some off-field questions. Those questions might push him to the later part of the 1st, where most Media Mock Drafts have him going. But many had DGB going somewhere in the bottom half of the 1st last year, too. So, if you are Robinson, do you sit tight and let the players come to you, with our 2nd Rd picks, or do you package something to move ahead of the teams thought to be interested in NKemdiche, between picks 20-32?





Personally, I'm very torn on it. It would be a coup to sit tight and hope he slides to us, like DGB did. There are always a small group of players who were widely projected to be 1st Rd picks, that slide out of the 1st. And that is in part due to the fact that some teams will value some guys (whom most consider a 2nd Rd grade or later) higher than most draftnicks.

This draft is deep at DT, and some NFL teams are a bit wary of taking Nkemdiche with their 1st Rd pick. So, I'd normally be inclined to take the gamble that he slides to us. However, Nkemdiche has the same talent, size and impact potential as Leonard Williams...whom many wanted us to draft No.2 overall, last year. Against National Champs, Alabama, last year, he was dominant. I can just imagine how much of an impact he could have under Dick LeBeau, playing opposite of Casey.

 

I'd normally feel the same way, but he is the one player whom the QB's and fans of the other AFC South teams would react by saying "Oh Chit!" He's the only one outside of Buckner, who would make this DL go from good to great...from decent to dominant. In that case, I think he might be worth sending one of our 3rd Rd picks to move up.

Plus, I'd want to get just ahead of the Texans, so they have no chance to get him. Most people think they will go WR, and they may very well do that. But, if they were to take Nkemdiche to play between Watt and Clowney, we can kiss those 2 games each year, goodbye. That defensive front would be just too dominant. I want that to be us, instead.