Titans most recent trade out of No. 1 overall pick adds context to potential 2025 NFL Draft plans

Robinson was relieved of his duties two-thirds of the way through the 2022 season following a series of personnel missteps in both the draft and free agency. 

His first four offseasons, however, were excellent and helped turn Tennessee from irrelevant to AFC title contender in a span of three years. One pivotal decision helped jump-start Robinson's rebuild. In 2016 the Titans traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the right to draft quarterback Jared Goff. 

10 years, and two GMs later, first-year executive Mike Borgonzi is faced with a similar decision to bring Tennessee back from the dead. 

Los Angeles, at the time, sent the Titans six picks. A 2016 first-round pick (15th overall), two 2016 second-round picks (Nos. 43 and 45 overall), a 2016 third-round pick (76th overall), a 2017 first-round pick (fifth overall) and a 2017 third-round pick (100th overall) was the haul. In exchange, Tennessee gave the Rams the top spot in 2016, as well as a 2016 fourth-round pick (113th overall) and a 2016 sixth-round pick (No. 177). 

Robinson turned those six picks into seven total draft choices: offensive tackle Jack Conklin, defensive lineman Austin Johnson, running back Derrick Henry, cornerbacks LeShaun Sims and Kalan Reed, wide receiver Corey Davis and tight end Jonnu Smith.

Each of those players acquired contributed for the Titans immediately.

“Two days before we went to the combine, and then coincidentally, (the Titans and Rams) suites were side by side at the combine that year, said former NFL head coach and former Rams assistant Dave McGinnis. "So (the trade discussion) was very, very easy, but it started about two or three days before the combine, and then really heated up at the combine, which is where most of this goes on, which is really where it starts to heat up, because as you guys well know, everybody is there. The setup now in Lucas Oil is ideal, because everybody has a suite. It's very accessible to walk around. You know the times that everybody is going to be in there. So this is a big, big part of where the free agency talks and trade talks begin."

The difference between Borgonzi's situation now, and Robinson's back then is the 2016 Titans thought they had their future at quarterback in 2015 second overall pick Marcus Mariota. 

Still, for the sheer amount of value a No. 1 overall choice can yield a team with needs everywhere, Borgonzi might do well to learn from Robinson's past dealings.