I get it – it’s hard to get up for the Super Bowl when you were hoping your team would be there, especially when you see that it’s the Cincinnati Bengals that are moving on to represent the AFC in the NFL’s championship game. In case you’ve forgotten, that’s the team that the Tennessee Titans nearly came back to beat in the Divisional Round, and that’s not making anything easier for Titans who are saying, “that could be our team.” That’s why I think it’s important to have a short memory – just like a good quarterback that just made a terrible interception. You have to get up and move on – it’s time to start thinking about free agency and the 2022 NFL Draft process, which unofficially starts this week in Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl.
In case you’re still in denial about how the 2021 campaign ended, let me just say…this should be a pretty important event to watch for Titans fans. Since becoming the general manager of the Titans in 2016, Jon Robinson has had 43 picks at the NFL Draft. Of those 43, 16 have earned a roster spot at the Senior Bowl. That’s 37% of his draft picks! Specifically, last year’s game featured five future Titans. Robinson selected Senior Bowl players with five of the team’s eight picks – Dillon Radunz, Monty Rice, Dez Fitzpatrick, Racey McMath, and Rashad Weaver.
If you want to get a head start on this year’s crop of prospective NFL talent, and cleanse your brain of how 2021 ended, tuning into this game on Saturday afternoon is a great way to start. There’s a good chance that you’ll be watching two or three future Titans. There are a few guys in particular that I’ll have my eyes on as Steven McCash and I head down to Mobile to cover the event.
Calvin Austin III, WR – Look, I know this franchise is stubbornly avoiding the shifty, quick play-makers at the position in favor of big-bodied physical receivers, but a man can still dream, right? I love Austin as a potential electric factory in the NFL.
Yusuf Corker, S – Safety is going to be interesting for the Titans this offseason. They obviously don’t need to invest a high draft pick at the position, but Corker should be available in the mid-to-late rounds. He’s a sure tackler that plays downhill and aggressive. He’s be a solid addition to that defensive backfield group.
Jahan Dotson, WR – The Titans could use some more weapons on offense, and Dotson is a guy I’ve seen mocked to the Titans several times. He’s another good, dangerous athlete at the position, but just doesn’t have the size that the Titans usually take at the position. Mr. Robinson, please – I’m begging you…at least consider giving it a shot with a guy like Dotson or Austin this year.
Sam Howell, QB – Howell is one of three quarterbacks that I like the ceiling of should he land in the right spot in the NFL. He’s also one of the guys that I think could be a realistic option for the Titans in the first round.
Darian Kinnard, OL – Kinnard is a tough, competitive guy with a lot of experience playing guard…a position I expect the Titans to look at early in this draft.
Isaiah Likely, TE – The Titans need pure play-makers, and Likely is just that…a pure athletic play-maker at the tight end position in a loaded tight end class. If the Titans can coach him up as a blocker, he could provide a spark for this offense.
Trey McBride, TE – Let’s not overthink this one, guys. To me, TE1 is the most urgent need on this team, and McBride is projected as the top tight end in this draft class. Simple as that.
Bernhard Raimann, OL – Whether it’s the uncertainty at right tackle, or the future at left tackle, there are plenty of reasons to think the Titans will address the offensive tackle position early in the draft, and Raimann is a guy who, quite simply, checks a lot of the boxes at the position.
Cole Strange, OL – This guy just screams “late round Titans draft pick” – he’s versatile…he can play center, guard, or tackle, and he was dominant at UT-Chattanooga. They’re going to need to infuse some youth and talent along the offensive line, and Strange looks like the quintessential JRob-Vrabel guy.
Jalen Tolbert, WR – You want your “Titans type” out of this receiver class? Tolbert’s probably your guy. He is an accomplished receiver, taking home the 2021 Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year honors, and he’s 6’3″ to boot. He can work the deep routes, but he needs some polish in his blocking game and overall route running.
Malik Willis, QB – Willis is an electric factory, and could very well have the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this draft class. I imagine someone will fall in love with and he’ll go much higher than any of us are projecting, but if he’s there at #26, you have to at least think about it, right?!
Bailey Zappe – @ me, I don’t care. I love Zappe’s arm. I love his brain. I think he’s going to be a riser this spring, and I’m willing to start the guy’s fan club. Whether or not he ends up being taken in the first round, I don’t know. But, I love the idea of bringing a guy into camp that can make good decisions and throw into tight windows to compete.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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