Titans Draft Grades

After managing to secure the AFC’s top seed, despite the loss of star running back Derrick Henry, the Tennessee Titans ultimately fell short in the playoffs. A damaging defeat to the eventual AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals would spark an offseason full of important questions. Are the Titans a serious contender in an increasingly stacked conference? Is Ryan Tannehill truly a franchise QB? Is AJ Brown worth the massive extension he is due to recieve? Many of these questions still lingered by the start of the 2022 NFL Draft. Let’s explore the moves the Tennessee Titans made in Vegas and assess the overall Titans Draft Grade for this year’s event.

18th Overall Selection (RD1-18) Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

The decision of the Tennessee Titans to trade AJ Brown, rather than extend him, is what will ultimately define the success of this draft. If Tennessee continues its winning ways, the trade will be seen as a proactive move that extends their window for contention. If they don’t, and Brown lives up to his new $100 million dollar extension, it will instead be seen as a damning piece of shortsighted management.

Whether fair or not, Treylon Burks will be seen by many fans as a direct replacement for their former star receiver. He will be expected to contribute immediately and provide production as a rookie. Working in his favor is unique versatility and athleticism, which will allow him to thrive in a variety of formations. He’s a big, fluid route-runner with the ability to make plays after the catch. I do believe Burks can be a very good reciever, maybe even elite with the proper usage and coaching. However, in the immediate future, this can be seen as nothing more than a downgrade at the position. A cheaper yet worrying proposition for a team trying to contend now.

Grade: B

35th Overall Selection (RD2-3) Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

With their second round pick, Tennessee addressed the defensive side of the ball, selecting defensive back Roger McCreary out of Auburn. McCreary is a physical press-man corner who demonstrates the strength and awareness necessary to compete on the outside. This aggressive play style allows him to overcome his lack of size and length for the position. He must improve both his footwork and technique in coverage, in order to thrive off the line of scrimmage. Though I have this pick graded as a slight reach, I believe McCreary has the potential to contribute immediately for Tennessee and provide ever so important depth in the pass-happy AFC.

Grade: B

69th Overall Selection (RD3-5) Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State

Standing at 6’5” and nearly 320 lbs, Nicholas Petit-Frere clearly has the size and athleticism desired for an NFL left tackle. A former five-star recruit out of high school, Petit-Frere is a fluid mover with the agility and quickness to move in space. As a team with a major hole at the right tackle position, getting a tackle in the first two days of the draft was paramount for Tennessee. However, with Petit-Frere there remain significant concerns regarding his technique and positioning. At Ohio State, he often struggled to overpower opponents, relenting to skilled pass rushers. Although he could certainly develop into a starting quality tackle, he is likely a developmental prospect who will take a while before contributing on the field. As a team looking for an immediate solution, there were safer options on the board during this pick.

Grade: C

86th Overall Selection (RD3-22) Malik Willis, QB, Liberty

If it weren’t for the A.J. Brown trade, this pick would be the determining factor for Tennessee’s draft grade. Willis was thought by many to be a top 10 pick, a sure-fire first rounder with the potential to be special in the future. By my evaluation he had a second round grade, but even I felt a weak quarterback class would push him into the first round. NFL teams seemed to hold a different evaluation of the Liberty QB, with Willis falling all the way to the middle of the third.

Willis has a cannon of an arm, dual-threat ability, and is adequate at working through his progressions. He is certainly a developmental quarterback and accuracy concerns will require him to be slowly brought along at the NFL level, but his ceiling is that of an elite QB. I love this pick. Not only did Tennessee get immense value selecting Willis in the 3rd round, the presence of Ryan Tannehill will afford Willis time to develop. If Willis can reach his potential, he would then offer an immense upgrade over Tannehill. As with their previous pick, the onus will be on the coaching staff to get the best out of these players. If they do, this pick may pay incredible dividends.

Grade: A

131st Overall Selection (RD4-26) Hassan Haskins, RB, Michigan

As we saw last year, depth behind Derrick Henry can keep Tennessee afloat in the playoff race. After letting D’Onta Foreman walk in free agency, Tennessee selected Haskins as a rotational piece for the backfield. Haskins, at 6’2” and nearly 230 lbs, was a bruising force for the Wolverines’ offense this past season. He’s a patient, physical runner who operates well between the tackles. He lacks the dynamic agility or quickness to avoid contact, but does well to stay on his feet when hit. While Haskins’ downhill style will pair well with Tennessee’s offense, concerns regarding his ability as a pass-catcher may limit him to an early-down role.

Grade: B

143rd Overall Selection (RD4-38) Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Maryland

Since losing Jonnu Smith to free agency in 2021, Tennessee has been searching for production from the tight end position. Chigoziem Okonkwo was someone who reminded me of Smith during this draft cycle, and is someone I believe is an exceptional fit in Tennessee’s offense. Okonkwo profiles as an athletic, move tight end with the ability to win in a variety of ways. He lacks the size to play in-line with consistency but his blend of speed and vision could make him a dynamic h-back in the right offensive scheme. Though he won’t add much in terms of run-blocking, I believe he will contribute immediately in Nashville as a pass-catcher. Something they will certainly need after the trade of A.J. Brown.

Grade: A

163rd Overall Selection (RD5-20) Kyle Philips, WR, UCLA

Tennessee returned to the wide receiver position with their fifth round selection of Kyle Philips. Phillips will be limited to the slot at the NFL level. He is quick and operates with smooth footwork, using his agility to his advantage. Though he lacks the size to contribute outside the numbers, he should provide immediate value as a punt returner; evidenced by his exploits at UCLA where he averaged 19 yards per return. On the other hand, his inconsistencies creating separation and catching the football will limit his early success offensively. Philips will do little to ease the loss of A.J. Brown, and was likely a slight reach in the 5th round by Tennessee.

Grade: C

204th Overall Selection (RD6-26) Theo Jackson, S, Tennessee

For the first time since their selection of Roger McCreary at 35th overall, Tennessee returned to the defensive side of the ball, selecting local Tennessee product Theo Jackson. Jackson, while he’s listed as a safety, has experience at a variety of positions. He recorded 78 tackles this past season and emerged as a veteran leader on a talented Tennessee defense. Jackson versatility and work ethic will make him a valuable depth piece and special teams contributor. However, I ultimately saw Jackson as a UDFA in this year’s class and see this pick as yet another reach by Tennessee.

Grade: C

219th Overall Selection (RD6-41) Chance Campbell, LB, Mississippi

With their second sixth round selection, Tennessee selected linebacker Chance Campbell. Campbell is a big, physical linebacker who will likely operate as a situational run-stopping presence at the NFL level. He is strong at the point of attack and should be able to contribute on special teams. A lack of athleticism is his biggest detractor, he is a liability in coverage and lacks the quickness and agility to serve in that role. If he is able to develop into a more consistent tackler, he could emerge as a solid early-down option in certain schemes. Nevertheless, his limitations as an athlete will hold him back.

Grade: C

Titans Draft Grade Overall: B-

My overall grade for Tennessee’s 2022 NFL Draft is a B-. At surface level, Tennessee drafted a number of developmental prospects who will need time to develop and improve before contributing on the field. They clearly placed a value on scheme fit and made sure to acquire players who fit that mold, even if it meant reaching for certain selections. If Nicholas Petit-Frere and Malik Willis reach their potential, Tennessee may be set for years to come at two of the most important positions in the sport.

If not, this draft will seem relatively underwhelming as a whole. Similarly, much of this class’s success will hinge on the fallout of the A.J. Brown trade. All eyes will be on how Brown and Treylon Burks fare over the course of the next few seasons. Burks will need to develop quickly into a number one option, otherwise Tennessee may go from contender to pretender sooner than they would prefer.

Titans Draft Grade Analyst- Ryan Kalukin.