Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
AllTitans First Tennessee Titans Mock Draft 1.0
NASHVILLE - After meeting with five of the six newest Tennessee Titans players on Monday morning, the after left me with a few minutes to find other story ideas to create, and one idea I've been toying with was a mock draft.
In this computer age, simulators to do all the heavy lifting are everywhere, or at least if you know where to look, so it was time to take the plunge.
First, I needed to set some rules as to how I would go about handling trades. Was it going to be a free-for-all, take-anything, or a more controlled exercise?
I went with controlled and allowed myself only to take trade-down offers in the first round. After that, it was a straight draft with my picks and any I acquired in any trades in round one.
How Did It Go
Round One No. 11: Trade with Tampa Bay, down to No. 19, and acquired pick #50.
Round One No. 19: Trade with Jacksonville, down to No.24, and acquired pick #56
Round One No. 24: Selected Anton Harrison OT, Oklahoma- Harrison was, at this point, the top remaining tackle on the board. Has the size, 6'4" and 315 lbs, with above average athleticism (4.98 forty, 28.5 vertical, and 8'9" broad jump) for a man his size. He has some weaknesses in his technique, but he understands his position and did a good job in college of using his strengths to hide his weaknesses. NFL coaching should be able to improve his flaws.
Other Options: Tennessee tackle Darnell right was still available, as was Georgia tight end Darnell Washington, but the need for a tackle took precedence over the tight end.
The Rest
Round Two No. 41: Nolan Smith, Edge, Georgia- I'm not sure how Smith was still available here, but his abilities and the old saying, "you can never have enough pass rushers," won the day, and the card was sent in.
Round Two No. 50: Rashee Rice, Reciever, SMU: At 6'1" and 204 lbs, Rice posted a 4.51 forty, with a position-best 41" vertical, along with a 10'8" broad jump in Indianapolis. Rice battled a foot injury in his final season with the Mustangs that led to questions about his explosiveness before the combine, and yet he managed to post 96 receptions for 1,355 yards and ten touchdowns. I'd say his combine numbers answered any questions, and if those stats are that excellent playing injured, what can he do healthy and as a No.2 in the NFL? Give him to me.
Round Two No.56: Luke Musgrave, Tight End Oregon State: The knock here is he's not the best blocker, and he's another player coming off an injury. Still, his upside (6'6" and 253 pounds, and a combine forty of 4.61) makes him an intriguing prospect who, paired with Chig Okonkwo's athleticism, would make an excellent addition as a big target in the middle of the field. I expect to take some flack here, but this team must add weapons to the offense, and this is a player in a spot who could potentially outperform his draft position, considering the other weapons now being placed with him.
Round Three No.76: Eli Ricks, Corner, Alabama: Once considered a sure-fire first-round pick, Ricks struggled early last season and was benched, but battled his way back to become a starter and played solid football down the stretch. Some experts believed he should have returned for another season with the Crimson Tide, but he chose to forego it and enter the draft. A big corner (6'2" and 188) who did not run at the combine but will participate in Alabam's Pro-Day, Ricks has reportedly been timed with a 4.49 forty. While he sometimes struggles against deeper routes, he is a human blanket against short and intermediate routes," according to CBS Sports draft analyst Lance Zerlein. The Titans need a corner, and this size and upside were too hard to pass.
Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
Round Six, No.186: Roschon Johnson, Running Back, Texas: Not a glamor pick but any means, and he will never be an elite back, but at 6'0" and 219 lbs with a 4.58 forty to his credit at the combine, Johnson would be a nice counter to Derrick Henry. He is also an above-average blocker, which could be used for power runs on short-yardage situations or as a blocking back. He is also an accomplished special teams player on all four phases, bringing his value up even higher for a sixth-round selection.
Round Six, No.207: Anfernee Orji, Linebacker, Vanderbilt: An intelligent player with above-average athleticism, Orji has the size, speed combination (6'1" and 230" with a 4.53 forty), and toughness to add value on special teams while he develops other areas of his game at linebacker.
Round Seven, No.228: Keondre Coburn, Defensive Tackle, Texas: A large-body defensive tackle, Coburn (6'2", 332 lbs), started 45 games in his Longhorn career. He's likely not going to give you a great interior pass rush, though his speed (5.22 forty) is above average for someone his size. Adding him to Jeffrey Simmons on the interior on run-downs should help eliminate some of the double teams Simmons now sees. Coburn is an excellent rotational addition to the front.
Conclusion
There you have it, my first run at a 2023 NFL Mock Draft simulation, and I'm sure that every other armchair general manager who reads this will have their own opinions on my selections. I'm open to discussion and would love to hear your opinions, as long as they don't begin with "you big dummy!"
Titans Related Stories
BYARD DECLINES PAYCUT: The Tennessee Titans approached All-Pro safety Kevin Byard about a pay cut, but Byard refused to take it, per multiple reports. Byard and the Titans now sit at a “crossroads” in regard to his future with the team. CLICK HERE
TITANS TO SIGN MURPHY-BUNTING: The Titans have addressed one of their other biggest areas of need outside their offensive line with the announcement that they are close to a deal with former Tampa Bay cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting. CLICK HERE
TITANS FREE AGENT GRADES: The Tennessee Titans have signed five new players so far in free agency, but how smart of a signing was each move? Let’s take a look at some grades for each of the Titans' moves up to this point. CLICK HERE
