We’re officially 25 days away from the start of the highly-anticipated 2023 NFL draft, where the Tennessee Titans will have a total of six picks.
Now that free agency is in the rearview mirror, we finally have a little more clarity as to which positions the Titans should be prioritizing when draft weekend rolls around.
General manager Ran Carthon has already made several notable additions to an already stout defense that should only make the unit stronger.
Unfortunately, the offense still has several holes across the board; therefore, you can expect this seven-round mock draft to be heavily aimed at trying to improve that side of the ball.
Considering all of my previous mock drafts have started with me taking an offensive lineman in Round 1, this time around I decided to change it up a bit by selecting a receiver to see how that impacts the rest of my draft.
To be perfectly honest, this may have been my personal favorite mock that I’ve done thus far, so let’s dive right into it to see why. Afterwards, make sure to vote in the poll at the bottom of the article to give your grade for this mock.
Round 1, No. 11 overall: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
If the Titans are going to take a chance on any wide receiver at No. 11 overall, Jaxon Smith-Njigba is definitely the one to bank on.
Tennessee’s wide receivers room currently consists of Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kyle Philips, Racey McMath, Reggie Roberson Jr., and Mason Kinsey. Needless to say, that’s not exactly a group of world-beaters.
The Ohio State product would be a fantastic addition to a wide receivers room that needs all the help it can get at the moment.
As long as his hamstring checks out, the former Buckeye not only has the safest floor among all the wide receivers in the class, but thanks to his advanced route-running, he also has one of the highest ceilings.
And of course, we all know about Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s legendary Rose bowl game.
It just sucks that we haven’t seen anything like this in over a year.
However, other than that, I don’t have many real concerns with JSN.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/AhwhTlTG3L— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) March 22, 2023
JSN would immediately join Treylon Burks in giving the Titans a formidable receiver tandem atop the depth chart that opposing defenses would actually have to game plan for.
Burks would primarily operate as the primary target on the boundary, while Smith-Njigba would be the lethal playmaker out of the slot who is more than capable of producing big numbers himself.
Truthfully, outside of not having top-notch speed, there aren’t too many glaring weaknesses in his overall game.
As long as the Titans’ medical staff clears his hamstring that appears to be healthy again, JSN is more than worthy of being taken with the No. 11 overall pick.
Round 2, No. 41 overall: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
With the Titans’ second pick of the draft, I have them selecting someone who is capable of positively impacting both aspects of their offense.
Today’s prospect breakdown:
TE Darnell Washington, @GeorgiaFootball2022 Grades & Stats:
-Overall: 85.7
-Receiving l: 78.3
-Run Blocking: 81.3
-Yards Per Route Run: 1.77
-Drop Rate: 6.7%
-Contested Catch Rate: 40.0%
-Receptions: 28
-Yards: 454
-TDs: 2#GoDawgs #2023NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/iqf0hUvuhK— Shaun Calderon (@ShaunMichaels31) February 15, 2023
When it comes to the ground game, Darnell Washington is essentially a sixth offensive linemen that can punish defenders at the point of attack.
To say that he would do well in a run-heavy offense like the Titans’ would be a massive understatement. However, make no mistake about it, Washington is a valuable weapon in the passing game as well.
He may not have had the chance to thrive in the pass-catching role at Georgia due to him being on the same team as Brock Bowers, but Washington took advantage of the occasional opportunities he was given.
Yes, he only caught 45 balls over the course of his college career, but he also averaged over 17 yards each time he touched the ball, and forced 14 missed tackles in the process.
Washington is a true matchup nightmare who is often too fast and explosive for most linebackers to keep up with, while also being too big and physical for opposing defensive backs to deal with.
Adding the former Bulldog to the Titans’ roster would immediately create a respectable group of playmakers with a ton of upside.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I would personally call it a massive win if the Titans’ skill players consisted of Derrick Henry, Chig Okonkwo, Treylon Burks, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Washington.
Round 3, No. 72 overall: IOL Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
Joe Tippmann is the type of lineman the Titans often talk about wanting to have.
The massive Wisconsin lineman is not only big, strong, and nasty enough to move someone against their will (6-foot-6, 313 pounds), but he’s smooth and savvy enough to thrive when asked to climb to the second level and/or find work in space.
New film room with former Wisconsin center Joe Tippman just posted with multiple previews inside the article. Here's an additional favorite where we discussed processing multiple threats on a pin-pull run.https://t.co/ZjTMYyTIDG pic.twitter.com/k2jZGjtk5R
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) March 27, 2023
Over the last two years, the Wisconsin product has accounted for a total of 820 pass-blocking snaps, only allowing four hurries, four quarterback hits, and one sack over that span.
Tippmann mostly played center in college, but it’s a pretty safe bet that someone with his size and athleticism would thrive anywhere on the interior.
Should Tennessee add Tippmann on Day 2 of the draft, he would immediately be the favorite to start at left guard upon his arrival.
Round 5, No. 147 overall: WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
With my next pick, I went ahead and added another talented wide receiver who is coming off a season in which he finished with the seventh-highest grade in the country (89.7), per Pro Football Focus.
With Smith-Njigba and Philips primarily operating out of the Slot, Xavier Hutchinson would provide some much-needed depth out wide. About 70 percent of his snaps took place there in 2022 (316-of-451).
In a class with WRs with one elite trait, someone being slept is on Xavier Hutchinson (#8, Iowa State)
2021 showed real inside-out versatility, and gets off LoS well but his fluidity with a bigger frame is unique. I think he could be a slot or X which this class doesn't have pic.twitter.com/yevyjJDCnd
— Nate Christensen (@natech32) March 23, 2023
Hutchinson would benefit from polishing up the nuances of his route-running a bit, but there is a lot to work with, and he seemingly pairs his natural talent with a genuine desire to get better at his craft.
Over the last three years, the former Iowa State star has been one of the most productive receivers in the country, totaling 190 catches, 2,932 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
Round 6, No. 176 overall: LB Ventrell Miller, Florida
There has been some recent reports that indicated the Titans have had “extensive interest” in Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller.
With that in mind, and with him still being on the board at this point of the draft, I felt it was an easy connect to make.
The Titans’ defense looks really strong on paper at the moment, but if there is one weak spot, it would obviously be at the linebacker position. Miller can provide some valuable depth to both the defense and special teams units.
Round 7, No. 228 overall: K Jake Moody, Michigan
Lastly, I decided to end the draft by taking one of the best kicking prospects in this year’s class.
Jake Moody is coming off an impressive 2022 campaign that saw him set single-season program records for made field goals (29), PATs (60), points scored (147), and 40-plus-yard field goals in a season (10).
Moody also owns program records for points (355), PAT percentage (100), field goals (69), 40-plus-yard field goals (17), and is tied for the most 50-plus-yard field goals (four).
If the Michigan legend is still on the board at this point in the draft, the Titans should run to turn this card in.
