As we slowly inch closer to the start of the new league year, Tennessee Titans mock drafts are going to be a popular topic of conversation by fans and media members everywhere.
There are several different directions that the Titans could go when they’re officially on the clock with their first pick, but free agency could change everything as far as the team’s immediate priorities.
Nonetheless, it’s a safe bet that the offensive line and wide receiver position groups will still be a big need by the time draft weekend rolls around.
Another route they could certainly go is trading up for a franchise quarterback if they identify one that is worthy of the price tag.
However, in this particular situation, I’m sticking and picking at the original spots that the Titans are currently slated to pick. Having said all that, let’s dive into my first seven-round mock draft of the offseason.
Round 1: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
With the first pick, I went ahead and selected arguably the best offensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft, Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr.
Today’s OL prospect of the day and my personal preference for the #Titans: LT Paris Johnson Jr. (#77) pic.twitter.com/3yNQXpmwBN
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) January 10, 2023
Johnson is an athletic lineman with fantastic movement skills. He is very efficient when working laterally and/or climbing to the second level of the defense.
The Ohio State product is also very dependable in pass protection due to his fluid ability to mirror defenders along the edge. Since the start of the 2021 campaign, Johnson has only allowed a total of two sacks over 910 pass-blocking snaps.
Round 2: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
With my second pick, I had the opportunity to solidly my bookend tackles for the foreseeable future and did so following the selection of Darnell Wright out of Tennessee.
Tennessee OT Darnell Wright in 2022:
🔸 507 Pass Block Snaps
🔸 Zero Sacks Allowed
🔸 80.2 Pass Block Grade pic.twitter.com/xE42d6iGy4— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 6, 2023
Wright would instantly provide an upgrade on the right side of the line if everything goes according to plan. The Titans could then kick Nicholas Petit-Frere to either guard spot and allow him to develop there.
If not, they can just allow Petit-Frere to fill the swing tackle role that is often a crucial piece of Tennessee’s offense.
Regardless, Wright is too good of a prospect to pass up on at this point in the draft at a position where the Titans desperately need all the talent they can get.
Don’t sleep on Darnell Wright as a possible first round pick🗣@TampaBayTre x @Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/h5f4uLzPf6
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 5, 2023
If the Titans find themselves in a situation where they have too many good offensive tackles, then I’d personally consider that a good problem to have after what Tennessee has experienced these last few years.
Round 3: WR Rashee Rice, SMU
In Round 3, I finally address the wide receiver position with the selection of SMU’s Rashee Rice.
I really like SMU WR Rashee Rice.
He's got a little CeeDee Lamb to his game. pic.twitter.com/vhxQOnOX6l
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 14, 2023
Rice has had a prolific career at SMU, finishing his final college season as the 12th highest-graded wideout in the country (85.9), per Pro Football Focus.
Rice possesses a good blend of size, speed, length, and ball skills that makes him one of the most dynamic weapons in this class.
The SMU legend will have to fine-tune the fundamentals of the position, particularly when it comes to refining and diversifying his route tree. SMU’s offense manufactured a lot of space for the talented receiver to work with, but he won’t be given that luxury in the pros.
Rice finished his final season at SMU with 96 catches for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Round 5: LB Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati
Tennessee’s next selection comes In Round 5, and I believe I walked away with an incredible steal.
There’s a relatively strong chance that the Titans could lose both of their starting linebackers over the coming weeks. Therefore. I went ahead and selected one of the most disrespected linebackers in the entire draft, Cincinnati’s Ivan Pace Jr.
Ivan Pace Jr just knocked back O’Cyrus Torrence & blew up a run play 👀🔥pic.twitter.com/WHRPzWjBSd
— RanDynasty (@ran_dynasty) February 4, 2023
Similarly to David Long Jr., Pace is entering the league with a preconceived notion that he’s too undersized (6-foot, 235 pounds) to thrive in the league despite having some of the best tape in the class.
From a mental, instinctive, and playmaking standpoint, he does everything that you could want from your off-ball backer.
People love to nitpick prospects this time of year and talk themselves out of players for a variety of reasons.
I am not going to be one of those when it comes to the Cincinnati linebacker. If he is still on the board at this point, the Titans need to run to the podium and make that selection.
Pace is coming off a season in which he was graded as the No. 1 linebacker in the country (93.2), per PFF. This comes after a 2021 season in which he was graded as the 38th-best linebacker (83.0) out of the 814 that qualified.
Round 6: IOL Tyler Steen, Alabama
The former Alabama offensive lineman primarily played tackle in college, but showed at the Senior Bowl that he is probably better suited at guard.
Tyler Steen is too strong! The @AlabamaFTBL OL looks good at left guard at the Senior Bowl pic.twitter.com/ToT7JGAFxd
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) February 1, 2023
Steen also has a lot of experience under his belt, starting a total of 46 games over his entire college career (33 starts at Vanderbilt, 13 starts at Alabama).
The Alabama product would provide valuable and much-needed depth along the interior, while also having the experience and versatility to play tackle if the team is ever in a pinch.
Round 7: EDGE Lonnie Phelps, Kansas
With my final selection, I went with the talented edge rusher out of Kansas, Lonnie Phelps, who was also one of the defensive standouts from last week’s Senior Bowl.
Phelps had an impressive game in front of all of the scouts, showing off his standout power throughout the game, as well as his tremendous hand usage.
6 highest-graded players from the Senior Bowl via @PFF:
ED Lonnie Phelps – 91.2
CB Anthony Johnson – 90.5
ED Isaiah Land – 89.9
OT Richard Gouraige – 83.9
TE Will Mallory – 80.7
OL Cody Mauch – 80.9 pic.twitter.com/3tbyTHkVFg— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) February 7, 2023
In total, The Kansas product finished his final season as a Jayhawk by accounting for 57 tackles, seven sacks, and 11.5 tackles for loss.
