The Tennessee Titans have added Terrance West in a trade with the Cleveland Browns to help add depth behind starter Bishop Sankey, as running back David Cobb was placed on the IR with designation to return. Fantasy owners should look at Sankey and West as sleepers this season for Marcus Mariota.
The Titans added West for a draft pick and it came after West fell out of favor in Cleveland despite being a third round draft pick. According to NFL.com, the Browns traded West for a conditional seventh round draft pick. West comes in for the Titans as a solid depth option and the team did not really have to give up much to get him. With Cobb placed on the IR, the Titans needed another running back, even if Cobb can make it back eventually.
Last season as a rookie West had over 600 yards rushing, but he has fallen behind Isaiah Crowell on the depth chart and the Browns also liked Duke Johnson more, even with him having a concussion. West was very productive in college and put up over 100 receptions out of the backfield and he put up nearly 5000 yards rushing while at Towson, scoring 84 touchdowns in three seasons there.
The Browns actually traded up for West in the draft and this is another pick that did not quite work out as expected. Cobb is dealing with a calf injury and now West can slot in with Dexter McCluster as depth options for the Titans. The team may try and run the ball a lot to help Marcus Mariota in his rookie season and that could give West and Sankey some solid production for fantasy owners. Antonio Andrews also could get looks for the team.
Sankey had an okay rookie season with 569 yards and two touchdowns along with 18 receptions and this season he could get worked more behind Mariota. Cobb was expected to be a jack of all trades after the way he performed in college and now West has the chance to try and prove if he can be that type of player. Sankey was also very productive in college and the Titans will be expecting more from him this season.
The Titans offense has the chance to be much improved, as the team has some solid talent across the field. The team released Hakeem Nicks, but they still have Kendall Wright, Dorial Green-Beckham, Harry Douglas and Justin Hunter at WR, while delanie Walker is a solid tight end. Jalston Fowler is also a utility type player at full back and he could be very helpful in the rushing game after his career at Alabama.
Mariota is going to start from Week 1 and he has the chance to put up some strong numbers if he adjusts to the NFL quickly. Many scouts see Jameis Winston as the more immediate successful player, but some have suggested that Mariota is the better long term pro.