While the Tennessee Titans won’t be making the playoffs this year, the Week 18 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars still has significance for them, as it will determine where they finish in the 2024 NFL draft order.
According to Tankathon, The Titans are sitting in the No. 7 spot going into the regular-season finale, but they can climb to as high as No. 4 or fall to as low as No. 8. You can check out all the scenarios with our draft pick rooting guide for Week 18.
The Titans’ biggest needs going into the offseason are left tackle and wide receiver, two positions that will be paramount in helping quarterback Will Levis develop and thrive.
Cornerback is also worth mentioning since the Titans don’t have a true No. 1 and were awful in coverage this season, but it’s not as vital as the other two positions.
Even before the draft order is finalized, experts from different media outlets have begun putting out mock drafts. Here’s who they have Tennessee taking from the No. 7 spot and what our grade is for each.
Just a note: any mock that passes on one or both of top left tackles will be graded harshly, as there’s simply no excuse for the Titans to do such a thing.
Joe Broback, Pro Football Network
The pick: RT JC Latham, Alabama
While we’re unsure of the status of JC Latham after getting injured on the last play of the Rose Bowl, the Titans don’t hesitate to draft him here. A healthy Latham gives the Titans a player who can line up at multiple positions but also adds tremendous size to the line. He’s a talented player who played well against good competition, and that means more to Tennessee than his current injury.
Broback actually has the Titans passing on the two top left tackles, which is unfathomable considering how badly the Titans need one.
Broback has Notre Dame’s Joe Alt going at pick No. 10 and Olu Fashanu at pick No. 12. Granted, the Titans do need a right tackle and Latham would be a good solution, but left tackle is easily their most pressing need and there’s simply no way they opt for him over the two left tackles.
Not to mention, this is a bit early to be taking Latham, anyway.
Grade: F
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
The pick: LT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Tennessee receives a late Christmas gift as Joe Alt tumbles a bit to No. 7 overall. Will Levis’ protection was putrid this season and the consecutive first-round selections of Peter Skoronski and Alt change that outlook for the better.
Now this is more like it. Alt would be a great pick in this spot, if he makes it that far. With the Notre Dame product in tow, the Titans would have a long-term solution at the most important position upfront.
Grade: A+
Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football
The pick: LT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
The Titans could go back-to-back offensive linemen. They drafted Peter Skoronski to replace Nate Davis, and they could use this pick to find someone to fill Taylor Lewan’s shoes.
Joe Alt is a former tight end who has moved to left tackle. He has good size, length, and athleticism.
You love to see it.
Grade: A+
Chris Trepasso, CBS Sports
The pick: LT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
The Titans land the premier blocker in the class as they enter Year 2 of the Will Levis era.
Along with Alt, Fashanu is one of the top left tackles in this class and would be a fantastic pick in this spot. He’d shore up Tennessee’s biggest need for the next decade.
Grade: A+
Joe Tansey, Bleacher Report
The pick: EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama
What he’s saying: N/A
While Turner is a good player, the last thing the Titans need to be doing is adding a player at a position that is stronger than most going into next season.
And, fans will lose their minds if this is the pick over Alt, who is still on the board in Tansey’s mock. LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers was also still on the board here and is a more realistic option than Turner.
Grade: F
Glynn Morgan, NBC Sports Chicago
The pick: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
Unfortunately, Caleb Farley, a former 2021 first-round pick at cornerback, has been derailed by injuries in his brief pro career (12 games/ 2 starts). If the Titans decline to pick up the option year on his rookie contract, Tennessee may draft defensive secondary standout McKinstry, who also possesses punt return skills (11.9 career average per return).
The Titans do need a No. 1 cornerback and McKinstry certainly checks that box, but that need pales in comparison to left tackle. This is another mock that gets a failing grade, simply because Alt was still around.
Grade: F
Luke Easterling, Sports Illustrated
The pick: LT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
What he’s saying:
This is the ideal scenario for the Titans, who desperately need one of the top two tackle prospects to fall to them here. The entire offensive line needs help, but it starts with a franchise left tackle to protect Will Levis and anchor the entire unit. Alt’s dad was a Pro Bowler at the same position, and he’s got all the polish needed to make an instant impact.
No argument here.
Grade: A+
Tankathon
Damian Parsons, The Draft Network
The pick: LT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
Will Levis appears to be the guy for the Titans at QB—for the next year at least. He needs more playmakers but nothing matters if the OL cannot protect him. Levis has been sacked 28 times in nine starts this season. Olu Fashanu would bring freakish athleticism, wingspan, and movement skills to develop into one of the league’s best young OTs. Protecting Levis should be priority No. 1 for the Titans.
Parsons actually has the Titans in the No. 6 spot, which is one spot higher than they currently sit. Even still, this is once again a great pick for the Titans, and Alt, who went at No. 8 in this mock, would still be there if Tennessee were in the No. 7 spot.
Grade: A+
Will Helms, Pro Football Network
The pick: LT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Alt is my top offensive lineman in the draft, and I’ve given Joe Alt to the Titans, who have struggled to find stability at the left tackle position since the retirement of Taylor Lewan.
Alt has fantastic feet for his size and excellent bend. He’ll need to add some strength but has upside as a cornerstone left tackle.
Pro Football Network mock drafts in this round-up are now 1-for-2, with Helms making up for Broback’s earlier puzzling selection.
Grade: A+
Paul Kasabian, Bleacher Report
Chris McGlynn, With the First Pick
The pick: LT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
This is a dream scenario for the Titans. They feel like they found their quarterback of the future in Will Levis and now they would have the chance to select a franchise tackle to protect his blindside. Fashanu is an incredible pass blocker with great fluidity in the open field. He would be a great addition in the screen and outside run game as well, in addition to greatly improving this team’s ability to keep the quarterback clean. After taking Peter Skoronski in the first round a year ago, this would be a great way to continue building in the trenches.
Grade: A+
