What a journey it’s been – I don’t know why, but it feels like this draft season has been the longest one yet. Now, we finally get to put all the mock drafts to bed and watch actual football players actually get drafted to actual teams. So, before the Tennessee Titans are on the clock with the 22nd pick tonight, I figured I’d take the opportunity to relive my ‘Titans First Round Options’ series and mention some other guys I think could be in play that I didn’t get the chance to write about.
2021 TITANS FIRST ROUND OPTIONS
Christian Barmore – I wrote this one before Barmore’s stock began to plummet for issues with his effort and motivation. I didn’t hate the idea of DT in the first round before, but now I say ‘hard pass.’ That said, one would be hard-pressed to reasonably deny that Barmore is the best of a weak DT class.
Rashod Bateman – Bateman is a fine prospect and a savvy route runner. I wouldn’t hate the pick at #22, but I think this Titans offense needs a bit more explosiveness.
Zaven Collins – Call it a hot take if you will, but I believe Collins has potential to be the best defensive player out of this draft. He’s not simply an edge rusher – he can do it all at the linebacker position. At #22, he’d be more of a contingency plan for Jayon Brown or Rashaan Evans than he would be a Week 1 edge rusher.
Caleb Farley – I’m not as high on Farley as some of y’all, and it’s not even the injury issues that bug me. That said, I’m not going to complain if the Titans end up with one of the most talented corners in the draft.
Jaycee Horn – Speaking of talented corners, Horn may be the best in this class. It’s his nuance in the intangibles of the position that impress me most – knowing when to turn to locate the ball, anticipating routes, etc. I highly doubt he’s available to the Titans at #22, but who knows?
Teven Jenkins – While the town may riot if the Titans pick a right tackle in the first round, the truth still stands…this team needs a right tackle. They could certainly do a lot worse than Jenkins, who is a mauler and a road-grader.
Elijah Moore – I love the element of speed and gadgetry that Moore could potentially bring to this Titans offense. He’s smooth as molasses running his routes, too.
Greg Newsome – Newsome is a sticky corner, but there are some concerns about his lack of ball skills and whether or not he can be a true man corner in the NFL. I like him because of how sticky he is, but acknowledge there’s room for improvement.
Kwity Paye – I love Paye as a prospect, but he looks like more of a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end than he does a pure pass rusher, and I think a pure pass rusher is more of what the Titans need right now.
Kadarius Toney – Toney’s the pick in my book. He can line up anywhere and win with his speed. I’d like to see him develop more as a blocker, but right now, this offense just needs play-makers, and Toney is one of the best ones in this draft.
Jaylen Waddle – I only wrote this one because someone mocked Waddle slipping to the Titans about a month and a half or so ago. There’s a snowball’s chance in hell of this happening, but man…if it did…I’d be doing cartwheels.
Players to Watch
Here are some guys that make sense who J-Rob might surprise us with as the pick at #22. In no order….
- Asante Samuel Jr. – He’s a strong, physical corner who the Titans have met with leading up to the draft. If they’re bent on corner and the top four are gone, I wouldn’t be surprised to see ’em snag Samuel.
- Azeez Ojulari – He’s a pure pass rusher, and the Titans need another pure pass rusher.
- Tyson Campbell – Campbell isn’t as polished a corner as you’d like if you’re looking for a Week 1 starter, but he’s a physical specimen.
- Jaelan Phillips – Injuries may be a concern, but Phillips looks like one of the most versatile and complete pass rushers in the draft. I doubt he slips to #22, but if he does, he could be in play.
- Amari Rodgers – A strong receiver who can separate deep. He could provide a spark to the Titans passing game. He’s not a first round talent, but if there’s a run on receivers in the first round, and he’s one of your guys, you go get your guy.
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – In this linebacker class, it’s Collins and JOK. So, if Collins is gone and there’s no corner or receiver they like, I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see the Titans lean JOK.
- Eric Stokes – Similar to what I said about Asante Samuel Jr. – if the Titans are bent on corner and all the best ones are gone, don’t be surprised to see ’em go with someone we’re not expecting to fill that need. Stokes is a tremendous overall corner.
- Trevor Moehrig – I don’t think safety is a need at all in this draft, but I’m just going to mention Moehrig here because there have been some rumblings this week that the Titans have a bit of interest in the prospect.
- Levi Onwuzurike – I still think the Titans need another player on the defensive line, and they’ve spent some time with Onwuzurike, who appears to be DT #2 in this draft.
- Payton Turner – Size, length, and potential – that’s Payton Turner as a defensive end. He could be an intriguing piece in the Titans front.
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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