Now that the NFL Free Agency period is completely died down, it is now NFL Draft time. The Tennessee Titans will be picking 22nd overall in this year’s draft.
You’ve probably heard so many times that the Titans need to get it right this year. Especially in the first round.
It seems the Titans will go either wide receiver or cornerback in the first round, with offensive tackle also being a definite possibility.
With the NFL Draft looming comes NFL Mock Draft season, and there are plenty out there for you to enjoy. But, let’s take a look at some of the major brands and see who their experts have the Titans selecting at 22.
NFL.COM MOCK DRAFT
NFL.com Draft Analyst Chad Reuter released his latest mock draft on Friday.
It has the Tennessee Titans taking WR Rashod Bateman out of Minnesota. They noted Bateman’s versatility, something Jon Robinson loves, as he can line up in the slot or the outside. So can new Titans signee Josh Reynolds.
Some of the positives about the 6’2″ 210-pound receiver are his release off the ball and his after-the-catch ability. Yards-after-catch is one of the Titans’ offensive staples, so getting players who can accumulate yards-after-catch is vast.
Bateman is a good route runner and could excel in the Titans’ run-first, play-action style offense.
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED MOCK DRAFT
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has the Tennessee Titans taking defensive back Greg Newsome II out of Northwestern.
In their mock draft released on Thursday, Breer noted that Newsome is a “solid, smart, all-around football player” and could quickly fix a must-need for the Titans.
Newsome is feisty, can play coverage, and go stride-for-stride in man defense. He has good instincts and locates the ball well. The Titans have Kristian Fulton and Janoris Jenkins at defensive back. Newsome would undoubtedly complete a secondary rebuild for the Titans.
USA TODAY MOCK DRAFT
The USA Today has the Tennessee Titans going offensive tackle, drafting Michigan OT Jalen Mayfield.
This is rather interesting, considering the Titans could consider WR or CB a more dire need. But given Isaiah Wilson’s flop, USA Today’s Nate Davis believes the Titans will try to fix their mistake this year.
Mayfield is a big guy, 320 pounds and standing at 6’5″. He’s a guy that can come in and provide the size and athletic ability we all thought Isaiah Wilson would.
However, Mayfield’s negative is he’s not as strong of a run blocker as he is a pass blocker, though that doesn’t mean he’s terrible at it. Mayfield would be a solid pick for the Titans.
CBS SPORTS MOCK DRAFT
Another offensive lineman, as CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards has the Tennessee Titans taking Oklahoma State offensive lineman Teven Jenkins.
Jenkins is another mock attempt to salvage the fail of a pick that was Isaiah Wilson. Jenkins pretty much resembles what the Titans saw in Wilson on the field.
Size-wise, Jenkins fits what it means to be a Tennessee Titans offensive lineman. He’s big, at 320 pounds, and he’s 6’6″. He’s versatile, athletic, and can dominate his opponents away from the play.
He fits the mold of what it means to be a Titan and wouldn’t be a bad draft pick.
PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS MOCK DRAFT
Pro Football Focus’ Michael Renner has the Tennessee Titans selecting Alabama defensive lineman Christian Barmore round one, which is quite surprising.
This mock came out five days ago, just a week after the Titans signed Denico Autry to join Jeffery Simmons on the d-line.
They noted the Titans’ tendency to build the trenches this offseason, and building the trenches is something Jon Robinson set high on his priority list since the day he took the job.
I don’t know if the Titans go defensive line round one when they have more glaring needs at receiver, cornerback, and offensive tackle, especially after signing a very talented player in Denico Autry.
Interestingly, few of these major brand mock drafts have the Tennessee Titans going WR or CB. I believe those two positions are must-needs.
However, the Titans have nine picks to play with. So, Jon Robinson could end up taking best-available at 22 regardless of position.
Featured image by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
