It's still more than a month until the 2016 NFL Draft, so the Tennessee Titans aren't revealing which way they are leaning, even if most expect Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil to be the first pick. While some believe Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey could be the top pick instead, the Titans inched closer to Tunsil by signing former Arizona Cardinals safety Rashad Johnson on Friday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Titans inch a little closer to Laremy Tunsil by signing S Rashad Johnson
Johnson fills a hole at free safety, which means Tunsil is looking more and more like the pick for the Titans in the 2016 NFL Draft.
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Johnson, 30, started 51 games in seven seasons with the Cardinals, including 30 starts in the last two years. A third-round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Johnson played rotationally early in his career before stepping in to the starting lineup in 2013 after signing a three-year deal to stay in Arizona.
While it's just a one-year deal in Tennessee, Johnson will be the favorite to earn a starting role alongside Da'Norris Searcy in the Titans secondary with 2014 fourth-round pick Marqueston Huff providing competition for Johnson. But for now, it fills a need for the Titans and fills a hole that the No. 1 pick could've been used to address.
There is some debate about the fit for Ramsey in the NFL, as most believe he could play either cornerback or safety. However, the hole at free safety made his potential fit with the Titans obvious.
It's also possible the Titans could trade away the top pick. The Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams are all reportedly interested in acquiring the No. 1 pick with the idea of targeting a quarterback.
One year after selecting Marcus Mariota, the Titans have no need to go after North Dakota State's Carson Wentz or California's Jared Goff, so selling the chance to do so for a king's ransom could work in Tennessee's favor. But by addressing safety on Friday, the Titans can now feel fine with its starting lineup if Tunsil is added in April.
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