We’ve seen plenty of mock drafts this offseason as the Tennessee Titans and the rest of the NFL prepare to embark on the 2023 NFL draft in late April, but a recent one from Pro Football Network stands out above the rest.
In it, Pro Football Network’s James Fragoza has Tennessee pulling off a few blockbuster trades, including one that nets them Lamar Jackson and another that sends Derrick Henry elsewhere.
In the first round, the Titans trade their No. 11 overall pick and a 2024 first-rounder in exchange for the Baltimore Ravens quarterback.
Not to throw cold water on this one so quickly, but I don’t see the Ravens willingly trading Jackson to the Titans. Instead, poaching him away via an offer sheet is the better bet — but I digress.
Then, in the second round, the Titans wheel and deal again by trading one of their best players in franchise history in Henry, who goes to the Chicago Bears in exchange for their second-round pick and a 2024 seventh.
With their two second-round selections, the Titans take center Joe Tippmann at No. 41 overall (their original pick) and then select running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 53 overall, the pick they received for Henry.
Rounding out this wild three-round mock for the Titans, the team selects wide receiver Andrei Iosivas at No. 72 overall in the third round.
I actually don’t hate this mock, but I’m not entirely in love with it, either. I’d much rather pair Lamar with Henry instead of trading away The King, and I would like to see Tennessee address wide receiver earlier than that, and that’s especially true after failing to address the position in free agency.
That said, Gibbs would be a top-notch option to try and replace Henry with, and Tippmann gives Tennessee it’s long-term solution under center. Iosivas is a promising prospect with size and speed and offers good value in that spot.
No matter what side of the fence you’re on with this mock, there’s no doubt Titans fans would be on a roller coaster of emotions if things play out this way when the draft rolls around.
