All Titans Mail Bag: Pre-Draft Edition

As promised, you ask, and we answer your questions on the Tennessee Titans in this predraft edition of the All Titans Mail Bag.
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NASHVILLE - It's time to open our first All Titans Mail Bag of the season, with this edition focusing on your questions about the Tennessee Titans and the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Here's what we decided to do for this first edition. Tyler Rowland and Greg Arias will be answering the questions today, so there could, and likely will be, differing opinions on some of them.  

All questions were asked via Twitter, so our only names for those asking questions are their usernames through the site.

 Let's dive in!

Question One Comes From @SocialMisphits: What's the possibility of drafting 2 TEs? Possibly trading back & getting Meyers in the 1st & Kuntz in the 4th. Still need a WR but takes the pressure off just a little.

Greg Arias: It's not impossible, but I highly doubt they would use two picks on tight ends. Remember, they have Chig Okonkwo and signed Trevon Wesco as the blocking tight end, so they likely take one at most. 

Tyler Rowland: I have to agree with Greg on this one. The Titans don't have the draft resources to devote two picks to tight end, even with a trade back. With Wesco as the blocking tight end and Okonkwo as the team's best pass catcher at the position, they really just need one tight end that can do a bit of both to be set.

Question Two Comes From @cata_83ok: How would you balance team need versus BPA if you were to make the calls for the titans on draft day??? How would trading impact your strategy?

Tyler Rowland: I think the Titans should go BPA no matter what. This roster is missing depth and high-end talent. Nothing they have done in free agency should impact their draft decisions. Get the best player on your board. They should be drafting with the future in mind, not to fill starting lineup spots for 2023. It is why I still pound the table for Paris Johnson Jr at 11 even with the signing of Andre Dillard.

Greg Arias: My approach has always been that you go in with a specific position of need in mind. Then you have your list of players that fit with what you do at that position. If none of your guys are there, then you go to your overall list and take the BPA. Trading wouldn't change my strategy. The only thing a trade in the middle or late rounds might change for me would be the players I wanted most could be gone.  

Question Three Comes From @JonnyTheRuss: There’s been a lot of QB talk for Tennessee this year. If Tennessee does land their guy, would Derrick Henry become more or less expendable for the Titans? Depending on the QB, it’d be helpful having a guy like him who can produce off a high carry count.

 Tyler Rowland: I think Stroud could come in and be just as good as Tannehill from day one. If they land Stroud I would hold on to Henry and try to be the best team you could be in 2023. If they land a Richardson or Levis, because they are more of a project, I would consider trading Henry because drafting Levis or Richardson means you are focused on the future anyways.

Greg Arias: That's a tricky one, considering the Titans could use some more spending cash, or draft capital, so Henry could be one that would bring something in return. However, at the same time, he would be an invaluable tool for me if I were Mike Vrabel and were starting a rookie quarterback. Having him in the backfield, and with a hopefully improved offensive line, would take some pressure off the young quarterback. At the same time, if the Titans plan to keep Tannehill, Henry would become more expendable.   

Question Four Comes From @Yeetstar9999: Are you concerned of the possibility of Paris Johnson going to the bears???

Tyler Rowland: Yes. I am concerned about a team like the Las Vegas Raiders or Chicago Bears taking Johnson Jr ahead of the Titans. PJJ is the best possible fit for the Titans and is their best possible outcome outside of a trade up for Stroud. 

Greg Arias: The Bears aren't in the same division or conference, so no. Now if he were a quarterback in the AFC South, we'd have a different discussion. 

Question Five Comes From @the_poody: Considering that the Titans haven't addressed WR at all and they have at least addressed OL with several additions. Shouldn't the Titans be prioritizing JSN or any WR in the first round of the draft over OL?

Tyler Rowland: I think that Paris Johnson Jr or Peter Skoronski are better football players than Jaxon Smith-Njigba and while JSN is a good prospect, he isn't the cleanest fit in the Titans' system. I still prioritize the offensive line because I think that is better for the Titans' future even if it is not what would help them most in 2023.

Greg Arias:  Since you sent this question, the Titans have added Chris Moore to the WR room, but he's not the answer to the Titans question at that position. Adding Jaxon Smith-Njigba would be a solid move in round one, but I like some other receivers in rounds two and three that I think would fit, so I'm not sure it's a must to take a receiver that early if you feel the need at tackle is greater. That said, if you don't go WR at No.11, or in round one after a trade back, then it must be the pick at No.41. Of course, there's still the possibility of a trade-up for a quarterback to consider, so if that happens, I think WR is still the choice at No.41 if that pick isn't shipped away via the trade.    

Question Six Comes From @Stallone_Head: Does it feel like the media is pushing the “… Will Levis to Titans” narrative?

Tyler Rowland: I think it is just a case of the media pushing the quarterback thing, not necessarily a Levis thing. Quarterbacks get attention. Sports media is a business and you want to bring eyes to your product. Media companies know talking quarterback does that.

Greg Arias:  I don't think the media's pushing it intentionally. We'll never know the origins of the rumors, but when one does start, the media does jump on board and help it grow. The Titans have spent a lot of time with all four of the top QBs, so it makes it easier for those doing mock drafts to latch onto someone like Levis and to a team like the Titans.   

Question Seven Come From @Two_tsu: What huge draft day trades do you expect this year? Who are your best sleepers of the draft? Predicting where you think the QBs land, which QB will have the best year?

Tyler Rowland: I think there is a trade up to pick three for a quarterback. I also think the Texans pass on a quarterback at number two and then trade back into the top 10 for a passer. My top sleeper is Bryce Ford-Wheaton at wide receiver. He has all the physical tools, but just needs some tough coaching. I think Richardson goes to Indianapolis, Levis goes to Houston and Stroud comes to Tennessee.

Greg Arias: Great questions, and tough too. I suspect there will be a trade in the top five on draft day, but it's so tough to say who. Still, I think someone is going to move up to get one of the remaining three after Bryce Young goes No.1. As for the sleeper, there are several, but I'm going deep here for a receiver that I like in the middle rounds, in Arkansas Matt Landers. I wrote about him on Wednesday, but the short course is 6'4", 200 lbs. and a 4.37 forty. As for which will have the best year, give me give me Bryce Young. We know where he's going, and it's uncertain other the other right now. Young will be "the man" in Charlotte day one.       


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Tyler Rowland
TYLER ROWLAND

Tyler Rowland is a Tennessee Titans fanatic for nearly 25 years and the host of the Locked On Titans podcast. While diving into all things Tennessee Titans, Tyler specializes in film study and providing grounded opinions on all of the latest Titans news.