With Picks a Clear Focus, I Take an Alternative Approach as Buyers at the Deadline

The Tennessee Titans and the Borgonzi/Brinker regime, have made it clear that they are looking to stack as many picks as possible to rebuild this roster and they are clear sellers at the trade deadline. It seems that literally everyone is on the block outside of Jeffrey Simmons, Peter Skoronski and the rookies.

I do think it is the correct move to stack as many picks as possible but I do think there is something to be said for buying some younger players on rookie or expiring contracts to get an extended look at them and see if a change of scenery would be beneficial. With the going rate seemingly being late round swaps or at least a lot cheaper than the general public believes, here are some players that I think the Titans SHOULD target at the deadline with price being in mind.

• Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, NY Giants

  • The Titans have a lack of playmakers on defense, especially at the EDGE position. It's a clear position of need since before the season even started. Thibodeaux brings 1st round pedigree and elite explosiveness off the edge. I personally had Thibodeaux rated very highly coming out and the #1 player in his class. With Brian Burns and Abdul Carter entrenched as starters, Kayvon could be the odd man out. With Nabers out, they could have a need a WR and according to ESPNs trade deadline article, ILB is also a position of need.

    • Potential trade pieces: Calvin Ridley, Cody Barton, pick swaps

      

• Evan Neal, OL, NY Giants

  • Sticking with the Giants, it seems that Evan Neal has fallen out of favor as well and I believe he has been a healthy scratch for some games this season. The Titans have a need at OL and with Kevin Zeitler seemingly on the block, you could slide Neal in at RG and get an extended look there. Another high pedigree guy, a former top 5 overall pick, it's worth getting an extended look to see if a change of scenery helps.

    • Potential trade pieces: late round pick swaps

• Tariq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks

  • After the trades of Jarvis Brownlee and Roger McCreary, it's clear that the Titans want a new direction at the CB position, seemingly preferring big CB's with length. Riq is on the last year of his rookie contract and will hit FA after the season. I think a late round pick swap could get this done for a rental. Why would the Titans pay for a rental in the state the organization is in? Simple, to get an extended look at him for a late round pick swap and if they like him, it gives them a chance to negotiate a deal before he hits the open market.

    • Potential trade pieces: Kevin Zeitler, Calvin Ridley, any of the EDGE rushers

      

• Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints

  • Shaheed has been hot in trade rumors among contenders that need WR help but I think this is a good opportunity to add another WR to a thin WR room and get an extended look at a younger guy on an expiring contract. He is mainly a deep threat that can take it to the house on any given play but he has improved as an all around WR through the years. Following the same logic as Woolen, this is a good chance to get an extended look at someone who could be a hot commodity come the offseason and try to lock him up before he hits the open market.

    • Potential trade pieces: some kind of a pick swap

      

• Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders

  • Wilson just hasn't really panned out with the Raiders and as you see with the Titans and the recent trade of Keion White with the Patriots, sometimes you just move off a player from the previous regime. Sticking with a player that has 1st round pedigree and still on a rookie contract, while it also being a position of need, I'm all for making this move in a thin EDGE room.

    • Potential trade pieces: Arden Key, Dremont Jones, pick swap

• Honorable Mention: Alontae Taylor, Jaelen Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Jackson Powers Johnson, Cam Taylor-Britt, Roman Wilson, DJ Moore.