Tennessee Titans Draft Needs

 

I have been writing about the Titans for years for Drafttek.com, so I feel I have a pretty good handle on their team. Tennessee is an interesting team as they are coming off a year where they were the number one seed in the AFC. They have needs, but a good draft could make them legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Lets take a look at the Tennessee Titans Draft needs.

 

Wide Receiver

 

The Titans have star receiver AJ Brown, but they need some real help at the position. They picked up Robert Woods for a sixth round pick, which is a good start. Unfortunately, much like their last receiver acquisition Julio Jones, Woods has health concerns. He is coming off a serious injury so there is reason to be concerned. Even if Woods is healthy, there is a huge dropoff in talent after the first two receivers. The Titans will be hoping Jameson Williams falls to them, but this depends on his medicals. If Williams is healthy, I don’t think he makes it to Tennessee’s pick. The NFL Draft is hard to predict, maybe another first round talent falls to them. If a quality receiver is available, I think it’s likely the Titans take him with their first round pick.

 

Tight End

 

Quick, name the Titans’ starting tight end. Name any Titans tight end. Austin Hooper is the presumed starter, with the 2021 Titans starter Geoff Swaim as a backup. The Titans may be looking at Hooper as a starter, but he only signed a one year deal. If Hooper performs, he’s going to be a popular free agent next year. Tennessee needs more offensive playmakers and tight end falls under that category. The Titans will probably have their choice of tight ends with their first round pick so Jaylen Wydermyer and Trey McBride are in play here. The Titans could choose to wait until their third round pick and hopefully pick up a guy like Cade Otton, Charlie Kolar or Isaiah Likely. Either way, it would be nice for Tennessee to upgrade their tight end position.

 

Interior Offensive Line

 

Tennessee could use another guard on their roster. Aaron Brewer is penciled in as the starting left guard right now. Unless the Titans have a free agent in mind, they need a new starter. Guards always fall in the NFL Draft, so guys like Kenyon Green and Zion Johnson could be available. While center isn’t a big need, if Tyler Linderbaum somehow falls to the Titans I think he’s too good to pass up.

 

Inside Linebacker

 

The Titans’ defense took a big step forward in 2021. They could still use help in the linebacker department, specifically the inside linebacker position. David Long Jr. played fine, but guys like Devin Lloyd or Nakobe Dean are instant upgrades at the position. With no second round pick, the next inside linebacker who could be available is Brandon Smith out of Penn State. If the Titans get lucky, Chad Muma or Christian Harris could fall to them in the third, but I wouldn’t count on it.

 

Possible Draft Picks

 

We’re going to use PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator and run through the Titans’ draft to see who could be available. I just went with the picks the Titans have, no trades.

 

Round 1, #26: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

 

Round 3, #90 Isaiah Likely, TE, Coastal Carolina

 

Pick #131: Thayer Munford, OG, Ohio State

 

Round 5, #143: Obinna Eze, T, TCU

 

Round 6, #169: Jack Sanborn, LB, Wisconsin

 

Pick #204: Jerrion Ealy, RB, Ole Miss

 

Round6, pick #219: Tre Turner, WR, Virginia Tech

 

Treylon Burks was available with the first round pick and I jumped on him. Will he fall to the Titans in the 2022 NFL Draft? It’s possible, but the Titans did get a little lucky to land him in this mock draft simulation. Isaiah Likely is a playmaking tight end, just the kind the Titans need. If the Titans can add two playmaking pass catchers with their top two picks I expect they’ll be very happy. 

 

Here, the Titans address their needs for interior line help by taking Thayer Munford. Munford can play either guard or tackle, so at the very least he provides valuable depth. Obinna Eze is an offensive tackle with big potential. He needs to be coached up, but the Titans aren’t looking for an immediate starter at the tackle position. I don’t like the Titans’ offensive line depth, so this just helps them further.

 

Jack Sanborn is an inside linebacker who would be a great fit in a 3-4 defense like the Titans run. I think he’s criminally underrated and would challenge for one of the two starting spots. We all saw what happened with Derrick Henry went down, the Titans signed everyone under the sun to play running back. Jerrion Ealy is small, but he’s also very versatile. Ealy would be a good pass catching change of pace back. He can also return kicks for Tennessee. He is higher on our draft board than most others, but he provides an excellent value and is a great insurance policy behind all-world running back Derrick Henry. 

 

Finally, another playmaking receiver in Tre Turner. Turner is a converted basketball player who showed that athleticism on the field. He didn’t test great at the NFL Combine, but he sure looked good on film. The Titans are razor thin at wide receiver, their number four spot should be wide open for competition. Might as well have a guy with big potential at that spot.

 

It’s easy to forget that the Titans literally had the best record in the AFC last year. They’re a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Adding playmakers beyond Derrick Henry and AJ Brown should definitely be their top priority. Luckily, I find this wide receiver and tight end class very deep. With a few good picks Tennessee could win the conference.