Welcome to the weekly Tennessee Titans draft roundup for the 2021 NFL Draft. Over the course of the next several weeks, I’ll be releasing this column once a week with my very professional journalism opinions. You’ll find everything from rumors to wild speculation to actual analysis (sometimes). Titan up!
*I just want to mention our NFL Draft livestream taking place on Thursday, April 29th LIVE on all of the main SoBros Network accounts (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube). I’m going to be sitting down with Steven McCash, Outspoken Owen, and maybe a few surprises and reacting live to the first round of the NFL Draft. If you don’t already, throw us a follow and tune in.
*It looks like the Carolina Panthers are going to be bringing in longtime “Steady Eddie” Titan DaQuan Jones, so Titans fans can forget about any hope of a reunion on a cheaper deal. This obviously further exacerbates the team’s need for not only defensive line depth, but a quality starter alongside Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry, too. Given the team’s focus on the defensive front and re-tooling the pass rush in free agency, I would not be surprised to see the Titans take a defensive lineman early in this draft…one that would be expected to come in and compete for playing time right away. If they want a guy who can compete to be a starter, it would likely have to be an early pick because this is not a deep defensive tackle class at all. I actually don’t hate the idea of an explosive big thicc boi like Christian Barmore in the first round if value isn’t there at wide receiver or cornerback.
*Don’t be surprised if tight end isn’t addressed at all in the draft. I just don’t see this team spending one of their first two picks on a Pat Freiermuth or Brevin Jordan, and after that, it’s a total crap shoot. I admittedly haven’t dug into Hunter Long too much, and that’s a guy that’s popular among Titans fans and analysts alike right now. But, it almost feels like he looks better because of the lack of quality options at the position. It’s like the “mom I want food” meme, in which the mom replies, “we have food at home.” Hunter Long is the food at home.
*Caleb Farley is being mocked to the Titans like crazy. I see the talent and potential, but I just don’t see the technique that warrants the Titans taking him at #22. I wrote more about him (linked below), but I don’t get the feeling I’m as high on him as others are. It’s not even the injury that bothers me with Farley. It’s his lack of polish. The Titans can’t afford to whiff on another first round bust, and they need a guy that can come in and start right away. I just don’t know if Farley is going to be that guy. I think I’d still rather go Greg Newsome unless, by some miracle, Jaycee Horn falls to ’em.
*This is a relatively deep quarterback class. That’s not to say that you’re going to go seven rounds deep with NFL starters. But, there are some really intriguing projects beyond the five franchise guys poised to go in the first round. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to suggest that the Titans address the position at some point with one of their nine picks (assuming they don’t go the ol’ “7th round guy that doesn’t even make it to the preseason” route). They’re still in need at some quality depth at the position, and it wouldn’t hurt to try and develop a guy for life after Ryan Tannehill, or -heaven forbid- a Tannehill injury. A guy I like is Kellen Mond of Texas A&M. He’s not going to cost a lot of draft capital, but he has some intriguing athleticism and upside. His accuracy and footwork aren’t the best, and he’s certainly made his fair share of bad decisions and terrible interceptions. But, in the right fit, he can be a dynamic play-maker at the position. I won’t gripe if he ends up in two-tone blue this summer (unless of course it’s in one of the first four rounds.
*Jon Robinson shared a bit on the NFL Draft process with Jim Wyatt, including something he learned from Bill Belichick when he worked for the New England Patriots. It’s a fun, light read.
*As it stands, the Titans currently have nine picks in the 2021 NFL Draft:
- 1st round, 22nd overall
- 2nd round, 53rd overall
- 3rd round, 85th overall
- 3rd round, 100th overall
- 4th round, 126th overall
- 5th round, 166th overall
- 6th round, 205th overall
- 6th round, 215th overall
- 7th round, 232nd overall
MORE 2021 NFL DRAFT CONTENT
- It Is Insane To Suggest That Anyone Other Than Trevor Lawrence Should Be The Top Pick In This Year’s Draft
- My Top Five QBs Heading Into The 2021 NFL Draft
- Outside-The-Box Options For The Titans At #22
- Patreon: Titans Rewind: The 2019 NFL Draft
- Tennessee Titans Draft Needs (2021)
- Titans First Round Options: Rashod Bateman
- Titans First Round Options: Zaven Collins
- Titans First Round Options: Caleb Farley
- Titans First Round Options: Teven Jenkins
- Titans First Round Options: Greg Newsome
- Titans First Round Options: Jaylen Waddle
- We’re Thinking Mac Jones at Third Overall, Huh?
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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 and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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