With the 2023 NFL Combine right around the corner, it’s time for our first dueling mock drafts of the offseason for the Tennessee Titans.
The combine is arguably the biggest pre-draft event of the entire process, as prospects will have an opportunity to show their stuff to teams, which could make-or-break their draft stock.
The event will begin on Feb. 28 and runs through March 6. You can check out the full list of invitees here.
Each of our writers was tasked with making all six of the Titans’ picks, with one selection in every round but the fourth, which Tennessee doesn’t have thanks to the 2021 trade for Julio Jones.
We all used Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator, so this way we had the same board to work with, and trades were not allowed (we’ll do a duel with trades down the line at some point).
Below you’ll find all three of our mock drafts, and after that there’s a poll where you can vote on the mock you think is the best.
Shaun Calderon's mock draft
Round 1, Pick 11: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
Round 2, Pick 41: WR Josh Downs, North Carolina
Round 3, Pick 72: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
Round 5, Pick 149: WR Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State
Round 6, Pick 186: OT Braeden Daniels, Utah
Round 7, Pick 230: IOL Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
With my first pick, I went with the popular consensus left tackle, Paris Johnson Jr. The former Buckeye is arguably the best offensive tackle prospect in the draft, and he fills a huge need for the Titans.
Johnson is athletically fluid and would be a massive asset to Tennessee’s zone-blocking scheme. He immediately becomes a pillar for the franchise upon his arrival.
In Round 2, I went ahead and added the dynamic weapon out of North Carolina, wide receiver Josh Downs.
Downs may not have the ideal build you would want in your wideout (5-foot-10, 175 pounds), especially in a run-heavy offense like the Titans’, but that receiver room needs to add legitimate talent more than anything right now.
Too many are infatuated with picking out a specific skill set in a receiver when that’s something that you’re supposed to do when you’re looking to add a luxury piece.
Needless to say, Tennessee isn’t exactly in that position right now. Downs’ ceiling may be limited, but it’s hard to envision someone as dynamic and crafty as he is not having a relatively safe floor in the league.
The North Carolina product would provide a massive upgrade in the slot and will be a chain-mover for an offense that led the league in three-and-outs just a year ago.
He also plays much bigger than his size, producing an elite contested catch rate of 72.2 percent (13-of-18).
Some may argue that the team already has Kyle Philips, but new general manager Ran Carthon has no commitments to him as the future starter, nor should the Titans pass up the opportunity to improve the position just because they saw someone do well in training camp a year ago.
With my third pick, I considered doubling down on the offensive line, but I genuinely expect Tennessee to add some talent to the team via free agency.
Instead, I decided to take advantage of an opportunity that was too good to pass up. Cam Smith was sitting there in Round 3, so I chose to improve a lackluster pass defense that could use all the help it could get.
The South Carolina product is a true playmaker at the cornerback position, with 22 of his 94 career targets against being either intercepted or broken up (23 percent).
Again, you could argue that the Titans have Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden returning, and I’d argue right back that this team has to stop passing up on talent just to rely on the injury-prone players on their roster.
That’s part of the reason why they keep finding themselves in the situations they’ve been in the last few years. Worst-case scenario is the position group goes from a liability to arguably the deepest unit on the team.
There’s also a realistic chance that Kristian Fulton and Farley could both be gone by next season. Getting ahead of that possibility would be wise.
With my next pick, I went ahead and added a wide receiver that is coming off a season in which he finished with the fourth-highest grade in the country (89.7), per PFF.
Xavier Hutchinson is a bigger receiver (6-foot-1, 207 pounds) that would be a nice addition to an offense that desperately needs to upgrade its arsenal of weapons.
With Downs and Philips primarily operating out of the Slot, Hutchinson would provide some much-needed depth out wide. Approximately 70 percent of his snaps took place on the outside in 2022 (316-of-451).
The former Iowa State star has been one of the most productive receivers in the country over the last three years, totaling 190 catches, 2,932 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.
With my final two picks, I chose two versatile offensive linemen that will provide much-needed depth to the group as a whole.
Braeden Daniels has started an extended period at both tackle spots, while also contributing 280 snaps at left guard since the start of 2020.
Lastly, Ricky Stromberg can play all three positions on the interior, most recently being center where he finished with an overall grade of 82.4, per PFF.
Mike Moraitis' mock draft
With Johnson Jr. still on the board at No. 11 overall, the choice there was easy. The Ohio State product is arguably the best offensive tackle in this year’s class, and Tennessee has a major need on the left side.
Next, I address Tennessee’s need on the inside with Avila. The TCU product is a better run-blocker, but his pass protection is sufficient and can improve with some work.
Avila has experience at both guard and center, but figures to settle in as a guard at the next level.
As far as offensive line picks go, the Avila selection is where they end. That’s because I expect Tennessee to add multiple veterans upfront via free agency.
I was shocked to see Hyatt still sitting there when my turn came up in Round 3, so I immediately jumped at the chance to take him with Tennessee’s need at wide receiver.
Projections for Hyatt have been all over the map, so I guess it’s possible. That said, the Tennessee product would give the Titans the infusion of speed and a deep threat this team desperately needs.
After sitting out an entire round with the Titans not having a fourth-round pick, I was back to work in the fifth, where I took the Alabama linebacker, To’oTo’o.
Tennessee’s need at linebacker is obvious, with the team likely cutting Zach Cunningham, David Long possibly leaving in free agency, and with the jury still out on Monty Rice. This need becomes less dire if Long is re-signed, though.
To’oTo’o is a solid tackler with good speed that allows him to effectively take over routes and keep up with wide receivers in coverage.
The Alabama product has been lauded for his high football IQ, great instincts and leadership, and his ability to take control of a defense and put guys in the right spots.
The Titans will likely be in the market for an EDGE this offseason should the team cut Bud Dupree, and with Harold Landry coming off a torn ACL and the jury still being out on Rashad Weaver as a starter.
Incoom will no doubt be a project, but so are most prospects this late in the draft. That said, Incoom has good strength for the position, and his motor is impressive, also.
The draft in and of itself is a crapshoot, but the seventh round is even more so. That’s why I went with a kicker, a position that has a better shot at working out this late in the draft than most.
I’ve been of the opinion that the Titans will part ways with Randy Bullock, whose leg strength leaves a lot to be desired, limiting Tennessee’s ability to attempt longer field goals.
Moody would be an upgrade in that area, as the former Michigan kicker displayed some great leg strength during his time in college.
If the Titans were to make this pick, Moody can compete with Caleb Shudak for the starting gig, giving Tennessee two bigger-legged options to replace Bullock in 2023 — and in the process, the Titans would save money.
Ryan Sikes' mock draft
Round 1, Pick 11: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Round 2, Pick 41: EDGE BJ Ojulari, LSU
Round 3, Pick 72: WR Rashee Rice, SMU
Round 5, Pick 149: DI Jacob Slade, Michigan State
Round 6, Pick 186: RB Kenny McIntosh, Georgia
Round 7, Pick 230: C Alex Forsyth, Oregon Analysis
Skoronski is widely viewed as the most NFL-ready tackle prospect in this draft class. A unanimous First-Team All-American — first ever by a Northwestern play — the Park Ridge, Ill., native gives the Titans a player to plug in immediately if the team decides to move on from Taylor Lewan.
We saw how long it took for Bud Dupree to work his way back from an ACL injury. The Titans should be prepared to do the same with Harold Landry. Ojulari collected 58 total tackles in 11 games for the Tigers last year, including 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery.
The Titans could use another offensive weapon, especially one that can go up and win a ball battle. SMU’s Rashee Rice fits the bill in the third round after an impressive 2022 campaign, hauling in 96 receptions for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Despite battling through injuries last year, Jacob Slade was named an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. At 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, the Michigan State product gives the Titans a rotational asset along the defensive front, and one that collected 20 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss last year.
History tells Derrick Henry is approaching that point when a running back’s production begins to drop off.
I really like Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh, especially in the sixth round. He split duties with Daijun Edwards last year, but McIntosh averaged 5.6 yards per carry on 149 attempts, good for 829 rushing yards, and 10 touchdowns. He’s also a threat in the passing game, hauling in 43 receptions for 505 yards and two scores.
Whether he eventually takes over for Ben Jones or plugs in at left guard, Oregon’s Alex Forsyth is great value as a seventh-rounder. The 6-foot-4, 312-pound prospect lined up at center for all 805 snaps last season, allowing just one quarterback hurry and no sacks in 12 games.
