The Tennessee Titans enter the 2022 offseason with very different situations on either side of the ball.
While the defense appears mostly set as long as the team can bring back outside linebacker Harold Landry, the offense needs some work at wide receiver, tight end, and along the offensive line.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Tennessee addressing one of those needs in his latest mock, as he has the Titans taking Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson. Here’s his take:
“Julio Jones is 33, has played just 19 games over the past two seasons and has only four touchdowns over that span. Can the Titans really rely on him to be a great wideout next to A.J. Brown, who has had injury issues himself? I think they need to add an extra dimension for quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and Dotson has the versatility to align out of multiple spots. He had 91 catches for 1,182 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, and he could rack up yards after the catch to help Tannehill.
“Another wideout to keep an eye on late in Round 1: Calvin Austin III, a 5-foot-9, 165-pound dynamo who could run a sub-4.4-second 40-yard dash this week. He is one of the most underrated prospects in this draft, and I don’t think it’s that off the wall to put him to Tennessee here. He had 74 catches for 1,149 yards and eight scores at Memphis last season.”
When it comes to wide receiver, the Titans need someone who can check multiple boxes. Not only does Tennessee need a deep threat to take the top off defenses, but they need someone who can align in the slot.
Dotson would take care of both of those issues. The 5-foot-11, 184-pound prospect has the speed to make plays down the field, and he can line up inside and out.
Adding to that, the Penn State product has experience in the return game, an area where the Titans could use an improvement.
In 2021, Dotson reeled in career-highs in catches (91), yards (1,182) and touchdowns (12). In four seasons, Dotson returned 25 points to the tune of 13.5 yards per return and one score.
It might take some time for Dotson to develop, but he should provide a great depth piece in Year 1, and will give Tennessee another receiver to build around for the long haul alongside A.J. Brown.
