Titans NFL Draft Daily (Jan. 8): With No. 7 Pick, Tennessee Can Address Offensive Line Flaws
The Tennessee Titans got the best of both worlds on Sunday. The 28-20 victory in Week 18 spoiled the playoff hopes of the Jacksonville Jaguars without affecting the team’s status in the 2024 NFL Draft.
It was a positive ending to a 6-11 season in Nashville. Tennessee now shifts its focus to April 25-27, desperately needing to add talent to re-establish itself as a contender in the AFC South.
The draft order for the first 18 teams is set:
- Chicago Bears (7-10) (via Carolina Panthers)
- Washington Commanders (4-13)
- New England Patriots (4-13)
- Arizona Cardinals (4-13)
- Los Angeles Chargers (5-12)
- New York Giants (6-11)
- Tennessee Titans (6-11)
- Atlanta Falcons (7-10)
- Chicago Bears (7-10)
- New York Jets (7-10)
- Minnesota Vikings (7-10)
- Denver Broncos (8-9)
- Las Vegas Raiders (8-9)
- New Orleans Saints (9-8)
- Indianapolis Colts (9-8)
- Seattle Seahawks (9-8)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)
- Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)
The Titans have plenty of needs entering the NFL Draft, with top players like running back Derrick Henry, defensive lineman Denico Autry, and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair becoming free agents.
The Titans' biggest need is an obvious one, though. They must get better along the offensive line, and the renovations start with an offensive tackle.
Help wanted: left tackle
Tennessee’s biggest flaw in 2023 was protecting the passer. The offensive line surrendered 64 sacks, the third-highest total in the NFL.
Additionally, the Titans owned the worst tackle tandem rates in the league. Entering Week 18, Titans tackles allowed the quarterback to be pressured on 25 percent of pass plays, per Brett Kollmann of The Film Room. Left tackles Andre Dillard and rookie Jaelyn Duncan were particularly ineffective, surrendering 21 sacks.
Drafting a player who can make an immediate impact at the position fills a huge need and there should be good options for Tennessee.
Per Pro Football Focus, there are four offensive tackles ranked among the top 20 overall prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu is the top player at the position, ranking No. 4 on the PFF Big Board. He’s already drawn comparisons to former Cleveland Browns Pro Bowler Joe Thomas.
Notre Dame’s Joe Alt has also received a lot of attention, ranking No. 7 overall. Tennessee could see a serious upgrade at left tackle by drafting either one of those prospects in April.
The other two names to keep an eye on are Taliese Fuaga from Oregon State and JC. Latham out of Alabama. Those two rank 16th and 18th on PFF’s Big Board, respectively.
By selecting at No. 7, Tennessee should get the opportunity to draft either Fashanu or Alt with its first pick. If both have been taken, Fuaga and Latham are strong options. The Titans also have their own draft picks in the second, fourth, and sixth rounds, plus Tampa Bay's pick in round 5 and the Eagles and Panthers' picks in round 7.
Related Titans Stories
- HENRY'S PROUD FAREWELL: The Tennessee Titans' inspired performance in a season-ending win featured Derrick Henry's 153 rushing yards and then his postgame thank-you to the Nissan Stadium fans. CLICK HERE
- HOPKINS CATCHES AND CASHES: With seven catches and 46 yards receiving Sunday, Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins collected $500,000 in contract incentives. CLICK HERE
- VRABEL WANTS TO STAY: Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel wants to stay in Nashville, and he said he has a good relationship with first-year general manager Ran Carthon. He also told fans not to believe everything they see on social media. CLICK HERE
