2020 NFL mock draft: Tennessee Titans select CB Trevon Diggs

The Tennessee Titans provided some hope for Detroit Lions fans last year. Led by a branch off the Patriots tree in Mike Vrabel, we saw a hard-nosed defense and a run-first offense shock most of the AFC in the postseason all the way to the Conference Championship game.

Ideally, that’s the blueprint the Lions want to take to their respective conference, but still haven’t made much of any tangible progress.

Anyway, this is about the Titans, as they’re the next team up in our Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft. Acting general manager ButCanHePlayDt has made their decision for the 29th overall pick.

With that pick the Titans have selected Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs. Here’s ButCanHePlayDt with the explanation:

“Detroit Patriots fans, meet your Draft Day archrivals—the Patriots of the South.

Not only do the Lions and Titans employ the same Belichickian scheme, but, due to the offseason losses of DT Jurrell Casey, RT Jack Conklin, CB Tramaine Brock, and (possibly) CB Logan Ryan, both franchises will be gunning for the same positions:

• A versatile, 2-gap defensive tackle that can play both 3-Tech and 5-Tech;
• A blocker for the right side of the offensive line; and,
• A cornerback that excels in man coverage.

Any philosophical dilemmas regarding whether pass rush or coverage is more important to defensive success vanished when Baltimore selected DT Ross Blacklock (TCU) immediately before the Titans’ pick. 29th overall seemed a little rich for Auburn’s Marlon Davidson, so, trusting their Board, Tennessee selected CB Trevon Diggs (Alabama).

Diggs has all the requisite length, physicality, and man coverage abilities that both the Lions and Titans will be salivating over

Per Pro Football Focus, Diggs grades out as the second best corner prospect in single coverage, with a grade of 90.9, trailing only Amik Robertson, and outperforming consensus top corner Jeffrey Okudah by a full 10 points.

Despite his NFL pedigree (Diggs is the younger brother of former Vikings’ receiver Stefon Diggs), Trevon does have his warts. Diggs struggles against downfield routes and lacks long speed, so he may be prone to pass interference calls on Sundays. He also missed most of 2018 with a broken foot.

Having said that, the risks are well worth it.”

Catch up with all the picks from our POD Community Mock here.