NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi left all options on the table when asked about the top pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
Borgonzi has only been serving as Titans general manager for a few days, but has already received congratulatory messages from various league associates as well as a desire to “stay in touch” regarding the No. 1 pick.
Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker’s “Draft, Develop, Retain” mission revolves around accumulating picks and building the roster throughout the draft. Borgonzi shares the vision and hasn’t closed the door on trade possibilities during the draft.
“Draft picks are our greatest form of currency, so when there are opportunities to trade to collect more picks, we will,” Borgonzi said Wednesday during his introductory press conference.
Brinker wants to add playmakers at the top positions throughout the draft, but Tennessee only has two picks (No. 1 and No. 35) in the top 100 this year. A move back from the first overall pick could increase their total.
“We want to make 30 draft picks over the next three years,” Brinker said. “And we want 12 of them to be in the top 100.”
With Will Levis the only quarterback under contract, the Titans do not have a proven option on the roster to become the cornerstone of their franchise. And a drop would likely cost the Titans the opportunity to select one of the top two quarterbacks this year.
Coming from the Kansas City Chiefs, Borgonzi understands how hitting the quarterback in the draft can propel a team to elite status in the league. That’s what the trade up to No. 10 in the 2017 draft did to select Patrick Mahomes for Kansas City.
“The quarterback position is arguably the most important position, arguably in sports,” Borgonzi said. “So you have to solidify the quarterback position. We’re going to attack relentlessly until we find the answer.”
Borgonzi said the Chiefs recognized a rare skill set in Mahomes early in the process, which was reinforced through meetings within the NFL scouting group and team visits.
Traveling to the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl with Brinker, coach Brian Callahan and other staff members over the next week will give Borgonzi an earlier chance to get a closer look at some of the top prospects of this year.
With a new stadium planned for 2027, the Titans will need to find a quarterback soon. The Titans are trusting Borgonzi to put them in position to get them on the right track after finishing 3-14 last season. Borgonzi said he had full authority over the free agency and draft process, but Brinker had the tie-breaking power.
“We’re all collectively trying to get this right,” Brinker said. “Mike is hired to build this roster and he will have every opportunity to build this roster.”
