Titans taking Corey Davis at No. 5 means greatness is only option
If Corey Davis ends up being a great receiver for the Tennessee Titans, Thursday was a good night for the Tennessee Titans. Taking Davis at No. 5 overall was the right move.
But that’s the only way. Davis can’t be good. Davis can’t be solid. Good, solid receivers don’t go No. 5 overall.
Great ones go No. 5 overall, or those picks are remembered long after they are made as squandered opportunities that held franchises back from reaching their goals. This franchise now has its first real “prove it” pick of the young Jon Robinson era.
Robinson pulled off another surprise in his second draft, but it started with the move that wasn’t made. The Titans seemed certain to find a trading partner and move back from No. 5 because their main needs — receiver and cornerback — could be filled lower in the draft, and Robinson loves stockpiling picks. But a deal wasn’t made.
"Nothing really manifested itself for us to move," Robinson said.
And as the seconds ticked toward their pick, you wondered which of the “best player available” guys they would choose. LSU safety Jamal Adams? Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen? Freakish Alabama tight end O.J. Howard? All were there.
The word that it was Davis, a tremendous college performer at Western Michigan, surprised everyone on the outside of the process who has been paying any attention to it. It surprised me, and I’ve been bullish about his potential as an NFL receiver and his ability to fit into the Titans’ offense and be a terrific target for Marcus Mariota.
I just figured they’d take him with the No. 18 pick, which they spent on Southern Cal cornerback and monster return man Adoree' Jackson, a pick I like because it addressed two big needs. Or at least with a pick lower than No. 5, after trading to move down. They clearly didn’t want to mess around and risk missing Davis.
And yes, the rest of the draft backed up that impulse. All three of the expected first-round receivers went higher than most projections in Mock Draft Land.
Clemson’s Mike Williams went No. 7 to the L.A. Chargers (still feels weird to say L.A. Chargers). Washington’s John Ross went No. 9 to the Cincinnati Bengals. This draft was a good reminder that pass catchers are always premium products in the modern NFL.
Asked if he was sensing a run on receivers before picking, Robinson said: "Maybe."
But there’s still a good case to be made that the Titans should have taken an elite defender at No. 5 and waited on receiver. You only take one there if you believe he will take several trips to the Pro Bowl.
It's true, Allen plummeted to No. 17. Howard dropped to No. 19. Mock Draft Land was disrespected as usual on actual draft night.
And to repeat, I don’t have doubts about the ability of Davis to produce in this league. Most of the popular knocks on him are baseless. Weak competition in college? How many great players from small schools do we have to see before that dies as a talking point?
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I saw Davis play multiple times in college, and he would have been a star at any school in any league. It’s unfortunate he was hurt during the draft process, but the film is there. He said Thursday he intends to prove himself, and that he tries to emulate Julio Jones and Antonio Brown, the two best wideouts in the league at this moment.
Davis has had some drops but nothing worrisome. He has the size and speed, the preciseness on his routes, the willingness to block, the personality to fit in perfectly in the locker-room culture Robinson and Mike Mularkey are trying to create.
"He checks off a lot of boxes for that position," Robinson said.
He will be a good NFL receiver if healthy. But a great NFL receiver? There aren’t many. The Tennessee Titans just told us Davis will be, and made a hefty investment in that belief.
Reach Joe Rexrode at jrexrode@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @joerexrode.
