Tennessee Titans Send 7th-Round Draft Pick to Cleveland for Offensive Tackle Leroy Watson
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans on Friday acquired offensive tackle Leroy Watson from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 227 overall) in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Watson played in seven games last season for the Browns and offensive line coach Bill Callahan. The seven games were Watson's first live action in the NFL. The trade will be official pending Watson's physical examination.
In 2022, Watson spent his first season as a rookie on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad. Ran Carthon, who is currently the general manager of the Tennessee Titans, was part of the 49ers' personnel department at the time.
This trade for Watson feels like a low-risk, potentially high-reward move.
The Titans offensive line, one of the NFL's worst at pass protection in 2023, needs reinforcements. So far this offseason, Tennessee has signed Lloyd Cushenberry, who is expected to start at center, and Saadiq Charles, who at minimum will provide depth at guard. In less than two weeks, the Titans are expected to take an offensive tackle with their No. 7 overall pick, possibly Notre Dame's Joe Alt.
Watson, 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, is 25 years old. He played 55 snaps last season and received a 50.5 overall rating (on a scale of 100), according to Pro Football Focus. He did not commit a penalty.
If Carthon is right, getting Watson is more valuable than picking a lineman in the seventh round.
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