It is around this time every year that all NFL fans start asking the same exact question: could the No. 1 overall pick in the draft be traded? Despite all of the annual speculation and excitement over a potential blockbuster move at the top of the draft, a deal of real surprise rarely takes place. The last time a team traded the first overall pick was back in 2001.
This year, the Tennessee Titans hold the (dis)honor of the No. 1 pick. Since rookie general manager Jon Robinson already has his quarterback of the future in Marcus Mariota, those within the organization have been trying to drum up a trade market for the selection.
Though the top two quarterbacks in this draft - North Dakota State's Carson Wentz and Cal's Jared Goff - aren't as highly regarded as Mariota and Jameis Winston were last year, it's still possible that a QB-needy team decides to move up the draft board for one of them. With both the Cleveland Browns (No. 2) and Dallas Cowboys (No. 4) being linked to QBs recently, a team that fell in love with either passer would have to trade up to land their guy.
But will Robinson receive an offer he likes enough to move out of the top slot? That remains doubtful.
If the Titans stay at No. 1, the pick will likely come down to either Mississippi left tackle Laremy Tunsil and Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey. Both are expected to visit with Tennessee in the coming weeks, with Tunsil being the presumptive favorite. However, Tunsil comes from a spread offense and is not considered a traditional "downhill" left tackle despite his great size and speed. After trading for North-South running back DeMarco Murray, the Titans plan to run the ball quite a lot. Given the slight fit question marks, the team is doing its due diligence on Ramsey.
A defensive back has been picked first overall just one time in the history of the NFL, and that was back in 1956. But the NFL's emphasis on the passing game is changing the way teams approach roster building. The 2015 season saw the NFL set new records for touchdown passes (842), completion rate (63 percent) and passer rating (90.2). The Titans have a need at cornerback and Ramsey is an enticing prospect with a ton of upside.
The short of it is that Tennessee has options. They could stay at No. 1 and grab a franchise cornerstone or they could trade the pick to desperate teams such as the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams or Philadelphia Eagles. We'll find out which route they take soon.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
