Tennessee Titans NFL draft picks: 2017 round-by-round results, grades
The Titans nearly stole the AFC South away from the Texans, before an injury to Marcus Mariota in December put their playoff hopes on hold for a year. What will they do with their 2017 NFL draft picks? Our draft expert Chris Burke is breaking down and grading every selection below.
Here's the full list of the Titans’ picks in the 2017 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made.
Round 1, Pick 5 (No. 5 overall)
Corey Davis, WR, Western Michigan: A prime example of how the pre-draft build can be misleading. Davis had to sit out the combine and Western Michigan’s pro day because of an ankle injury, so many predicted a draft-night slide. But nothing ever changed the fact that Davis is an outstanding talent and the most pro-ready receiver in this class. The Titans managed to find some production last season in guys like Rishard Matthews, but no one on their roster can match Davis’s all-around game. Assuming his ankle is back to 100% sometime this summer, he can be the No. 1 receiver on the Titans’ roster in short order. GRADE: A
Round 1, Pick 18 (No. 18)
Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC: Cornerback and wide receiver always was the clearest path for Tennessee in Round 1. Mission accomplished in Corey Davis and now Jackson. The combination of Jackson’s playmaking skills on defense, explosive talents as a return man and out-of-this-world athleticism put him in the first-round mix. How successful this pick turns out to be depends on whether or not Jackson can make up for his deficiencies on defense. He has the speed, obviously, but not the size or obvious strength. It’s a bit high for my tastes, but there aren’t a lot of athletes like Jackson. GRADE: B-
Round 3, Pick 8 (No. 72)
Taywan Taylor, WR, Western Kentucky: A bit of a curious one, if only because the Titans sent picks 83 and 124 to New England for this selection and No. 200. The Titans also already brought in Corey Davis, so they should be set at the receiver spots now. If Davis is the high-volume guy, Taylor can be their big-play, speed option. Grade: B+
Round 3, Pick 36 (No. 100)
Jonnu Smith, TE, FIU: Is that enough weapons for Marcus Mariota yet? Add Smith to the Titans’ earlier haul at wide receiver: Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor. Smith is similar in game to Delanie Walker, so it’s interesting that the Titans did not go find a completely different type at the position. Grade: B
Round 5, Pick 11 (No. 155) Jayon Brown, LB, UCLA
Round 6, Pick 34 (No. 217) Corey Levin, OL, Tennessee-Chattanooga
Round 7, Pick 9 (No. 227) Josh Carraway, OLB, TCU
Round 7, Pick 18 (No. 236) Brad Seaton, OT, Villanova
Round 7, Pick 23 (No. 241) Khalfani Muhammad, RB, Cal
