The Tennessee Titans’ season is all but over at this point. Tennessee sits at 5-10 with just two weeks left, and half the fanbase is already thinking about a crucial offseason that lies ahead.
The Titans are currently projected to be one of the teams that have the most cap space (approximately $80 Million) in the league heading into next year, per Over the Cap.
What Tennessee decides to do with that cap space could ultimately change the priorities heading into draft weekend. However, the Titans nailing their picks could end up drastically speeding up their rebuild.
This article is going to be my best attempt at trying to do just that given the current needs prior to free agency. But before we get started, it’s important to note that I used Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator and draft board to make these selections.
Without further adieu, let’s take a look at what I would do come draft weekend if I were in charge of trying to get the Titans back on track.
And, make sure to give us your grade for this mock after the final pick.
Round 1, Pick 7: LT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
With Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. off the board, this became a very easy choice for me to make.
Olu Fashanu had his best game of the season in pass protection against Iowa. Can mirror and anchor with ease. pic.twitter.com/8i3WBoxfc7
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) September 26, 2023
Olu Fashanu has the potential to be a franchise left tackle for the next decade. Fashanu has some of the best movement skills in pass protection that we’ve seen in quite some time.
Olu Fashanu is a can’t miss prospect⭐️@PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/eVLFpqEmsN
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 19, 2023
Adding him to the Titans’ offensive line would finally fix what feels like a never-ending problem along the blindside.
Round 2, Pick 38: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
Troy Franklin would not only give this offense the speed it’s been yearning for, but he’s also one of the craftiest route-runners in this class.
#OregonDucks Wide Receiver Troy Franklin thread:
Franklin is listed at 6'3'', and only 185lbs, but he runs in the low 4.3s in the 40 pic.twitter.com/ydQQrWrxZp
— Dustin Mosher (@Dustin_Mosher) December 21, 2023
He also owns some of the most refined release packages of the receivers coming out. That ability, combined with his elite speed, makes him a difficult receiver to cover for any defender.
Franklin would be a fantastic complement alongside DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks and hopefully another noteworthy free-agent addition.
Round 4, Pick 107: C Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon
The Oregon product possesses the type of fantastic movement skills that would thrive in an offense like the Titans’. Powers-Johnson is also one of the smartest linemen in this class and finished the year being PFF’s highest-graded center, earning an 84.3 on the year.
Jackson Powers-Johnson is going to be elite at the next level.
pic.twitter.com/pxuTop7rxj— • Colton Edwards • (@cedwardsNFL) December 21, 2023
He could probably kick to guard if needed, but I think it would be a waste of his natural talents because he’s more than capable of being the brains of the offensive line for the foreseeable future.
Realistically, I think he ends up getting selected on Day 2, but he was available here, so I had to pounce.
Round 5, Pick 145: G Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Seeing Cooper Beebe still available at this point in the mock draft made this a no-brainer. The Kansas State product has been one of the best guards in the country over these last few seasons.
Cooper Beebe 🚚🚚🚚 https://t.co/l3P6WX2HJx
— Kegan Reneau (@KeganReneau) December 26, 2023
Beebe would join the competition for the right guard role upon his arrival. More importantly, he is someone who could eventually develop into a starter once he gets around NFL coaching on a full-time basis.
Round 6, Pick 181: CB Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
Kris Abrams-Draine is someone who has thrived along the boundary at Missouri. Since 2021, he’s played in 37 games, totaling 1,361 snaps on the outside while recording 10 interceptions in the process.
Teach Motor Rep!
🔒 Widened the release!
🔒 Got hands on to control!
🔒 In phase transition to locate the ball!
🔒 Finished at the highest point!
Kris Abrams-Draine! 🔒🔒🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/KowSletRgN— WeAreDBnation (@WeAreDBNation1) June 22, 2023
He’s a little smaller than you would prefer (5-foot-11, 178 pounds), which is why he was probably still available, but I’ll bet on talent over measurables every time at this point of the draft.
Round 7, Pick 219: WR Jacob Cowing, Arizona
Jacob Cowing is someone I got to watch first hand for a couple of years when he was at UTEP — and he was absolutely ridiculous, recording 1,361 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season as a Miner (2021).
I really hope Jacob Cowing is in a Titans uniform in a few years. @jaycowing_ is a BAD MAN!!
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels98) November 26, 2021
Cowing then transferred to his home town of Arizona, where he still produced eye-popping numbers, totaling 167 catches, 1,750 yards and 18 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
In honor of it being UTEP vs. Arizona week, here are a few plays from the once-lethal tandem of Gavin Hardison and Jacob Cowing.
Please don’t go too crazy on UTEP this weekend, @jaycowing_ pic.twitter.com/Jl524EPIn6
— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels98) September 12, 2023
Cowing primarily operates out of the slot, which is perfect considering the wideout I selected earlier (Franklin) is primarily an outside receiver.
Cowing may be another undersized prospect (5-foot-11, 175 pounds), but he’s someone I will bet on every single time if he’s still available this late.
Round 7, Pick 248: LB Jordan Magee, Temple
I think Jordan Magee could be this year’s version of Ivan Pace Jr.
What I mean by that is teams could ultimately overthink the fact that he doesn’t have the ideal frame to play inside linebacker at the professional level, nor does he possess the type of experience you would prefer.
Jordan Magee (@Magee11Jordan) is an energetic second level defender with excellent range and explosive tackling ability for @Temple_FB 🦉
Former QB and safety who is twitchy, agile, and hyper elusive to scrape and elude working downhill and through blocks #SrrineBowl1000 https://t.co/WLZv6gWe96 pic.twitter.com/ab3ltRV1vD
— Shane Coughlin (@Shane__Coughlin) July 24, 2023
That type of skepticism will likely only fuel someone like Magee.
The Temple product is a legitimate baller who knows how to compensate for his physical limitations. If he’s still available with the Titans’ final pick of the draft, I would take that chance on him and never look back.
