Pre-Super Bowl Titans Mock Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will square off in Super Bowl 58 on Sunday. The two respective powerhouses will compete for the Lombardi Trophy this weekend primarily because of their work in the NFL Draft. Though the 2023 draft won't transform the Titans into immediate Super Bowl contenders like KC and the 49ers, it will be an essential component to future success. Let's take a look at my third five-round Titans mock draft...
R1P7: Malik Nabers, WR LSU
The Titans need a left tackle badly, but the hire of Brian Callahan as HC makes me think they will go in a completely different direction in round one. Callahan was the OC of the Bengals for five seasons and played a role in the team selecting LSU WR Ja'Marr Chase with the number five pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. At the time, Cincinnati desperately needed a franchise offensive tackle but chose an explosive playmaker instead. Tennessee lacks speed on offense and has yet to replace AJ Brown's big-play ability. Malik Nabers had an outstanding junior season in 2023, racking up 1,568 yards and finding the endzone 14 times. Passing on a potential generational talent in Notre Dame OT Joe Alt will be controversial in many eyes, but Nabers has all the tools to be an All-Pro WR.
LSU’s GUS STARK
R2P38: Kingsley Suamataia, OT BYU
Tennessee must take an OT with one of their top two picks, and with it being an extremely deep class at the position, Tennessee should be able to snag a day one starter in round two. BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia has experience playing both tackle positions, as he started close to an equal amount of games at both left and right tackle. The 6'6, 320-pounder is rock solid in pass protection, as he allowed just two sacks in three collegiate seasons (over 1,300 snaps!). Though his pass protection is lights out, Suamataia struggled mightily in the run game in 2023, posting an abysmal 52.9 PFF run-blocking grade. Kingsley is a player who still needs to be developed in some aspects of the game but would be a massive upgrade over Jaelyn Duncan and Andre Dillard at LT...
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R4P106: Khyree Jackson, CB Oregon
After struggling in his limited snaps in 2021 and 2022 at Alabama, Khyree Jackson transferred to Oregon and experienced a dominant 2023 season. Jackson was the definition of a lockdown corner for the Ducks this season, allowing a sub-50 completion% and a passer rating of 41.6 when targeted. Jackson's 6'3, 195-pound frame would also be a plus for the Titans, as they have played quite a few undersized corners the past few seasons. Tennessee desperately needs a competent outside corner, and Jackson would be an immediate contributor for Dennard Wilson's defense.
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R5P144: Layden Robinson, OG Arkansas
Offensive line depth will be pivotal for the Titans in 2024, and Layden Robinson would provide adequate depth at RG behind Daniel Brunskill. The former three-star recruit had a phenomenal 2021 season, allowing one sack and nine QB pressures in ten games as the starting RG. After struggling in 2022, Robinson bounced back in 2023, allowing one sack and 16 QB pressures in 691 offensive snaps. He isn't a day-one starter but could develop into a plus starter on the offensive line down the road...
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