The Tennessee Titans made their second-to-last pick in the 2023 NFL draft at No. 186 overall, which they acquired as part of the Julio Jones trade in 2021. With that pick, Tennessee selected offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan.
The Maryland product fits the profile of what the Titans are looking for in their offensive linemen, particularly when it comes to his athleticism, something our Shaun Calderon touched on in his draft grade article.
Calderon also mentioned how Duncan could conceivably slide over to guard at the next level, although that is not a position he has experience with, as he told the media recently. Despite that, Duncan says he is fine with playing the position if that’s what the team needs.
Find out what else Duncan had to say about guard, his relationship with Titans tight end and fellow former Terrapin, Chigoziem Okonkwo, and more in his first media session after being drafted on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL draft.
On possibly moving to guard
“I don’t have any experience at guard, but, like I said, I’m willing to do anything and everything. There’s some things you have to work on at practice, you know, stuff like that. You just got to keep improving on it. It’s a
bunch of things you haven’t done yet, so I just got to work on it. I have no issue playing guard. I wouldn’t be against it, but I would just have to continue to work.”
On his relationship with Chig
“Me and Chig (Okonkwo) are pretty close. You know, we all we came in the same time of 2018. Chig is a great guy. I loved him as my tight end when he was here with me. And I still get to be with him again, so I can’t wait to step in there and go see him.”
On his pre-draft meetings with Titans
“I met with them at the Senior Bowl. I met with them at the Combine. I also had a 30 visit with them. All of the meetings went very, very good. I did not think I was going to leave today, if we are being completely honest. I thought I was going to leave yesterday. God has his own plans and he works in his own ways, so I went today. I’m proud of it. I’m grateful that they picked me up. I’m ready to get to work.”
On how he describes himself as a player
“I think I’m a great player, very athletic. I think I move well. I think, of course, I still need to practice on a couple of things. But, like I said, I’m great. I think I can move well. I’ve got good feet. I can bend. I excel in the
pass play and keep working in the run, but it’s always an improvement in every aspect of the game.”
On what excites him about going to Titans
“Just to be able to get in there and just work. Like I said, I had a 30 visit with them and I really enjoyed the O-line coach. He’s a great guy. Our visits went very well. The meetings we had together went very good. I’m ready to just get there and get coached by him and do what he tells me to do and be a great addition to the O-line.”
On training with Peter Skoronski, joining him with Titans
“We all trained. Me and Peter (Skoronski) were training together through this process. ”
“Pete (Skoronski) is a cool guy. We both played in the Big Ten, so we played against each other. We didn’t really talk much. We got to Texas and we started training together. Peter’s a great guy. He’s a great athlete. He’s smart. Like I said, he moves well. I’m happy to be with Peter. I think he’s a great addition to the O-line room as well.”
On what he needs to work on
“Just technique things, hand timing, punch timing, hand placement, just keeping great balance, stuff like that. You don’t want to lean and stuff. Just being more consistent and finishing, just continuing to drive and get it
done every play.”
On Titans' style of play
“Up front, I know they run off the ball, they’re very dominant, they finish to the whistle. They play very hard. I’m just ready to get in there and be a part of that, just go in there and just be a part of that grind, and just watch all the guys get through the workouts every day. You know, just like I said, just be together with the team.”
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