Titans Nail First Three Pick in Mock Draft from Chad Reuter
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NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans hit the offensive side of the ball three times in a recent four-round mock draft from NFL.com’s Chad Reuter. The Titans only have three picks in the first four rounds, but if they are able to pull off something like what we see here, they will have maximized the picks they do have.
Pick 11: Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
First, with the eleventh pick in the first round, Reuter has the Titans going offensive line with Peter Skoronski out of Northwestern. Skoronski may be a guard in the NFL as most pundits project or he could stay at the left tackle position he played throughout college. Either way, the Titans would be getting one of the safest picks in the draft and a guy who can be a starter on the line for the next five years, regardless of position. That is exactly what they need.
The Titans had a ton of options at this selection. Paris Johnson Jr. was on the board, the offensive tackle out of Ohio State, and if that played out in real life I would be surprised if they Titans took Skoronski instead, even if Skoronski may be the safer pick. The Titans had their pick of any wide receiver in the class too. The debate would rage as to which position they should pick, but I agree with Reuter on going offensive line instead.
Pick 41: Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia
I won’t lie, this is a fantasy pick of mine. Washington is monstrous at 6’7” and would be like peas and carrots as a fit with Chig Okonkwo. Okonkwo stormed on the scene as a rookie last year and proved to be one of the most explosive players at his position. While Okonkwo has a lot going for him, he isn’t the size or blocker at this time that you have to be to be a full-time tight end.
Pairing Washington with him would give you a perfectly balanced tight end group with a speedster in Okonkwo and your classic in-line tight end in Washington. The Titans love multiple tight end sets so this gives them two players who can threaten defenses in different ways while letting you be diverse and creative with your personnel and formations. A second valuable tight end could be just as important in this offense as another wide receiver. The Titans could have had players like John Michael Schmitz, Cedric Tillman or Rashee Rice at this selection too, but I can see why the pick at tight end makes perfect sense.
Pick 72: Johnathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
Reuter is really barking up my tree with this mock draft. Mingo will remind Titans fans of someone they used to know. He’s a 6’2’ receiver from Ole Miss with a freakish physique and excellent yards-after-catch skills. Well, I’m not going to say who it is and it would be a surprise for Mingo to turn into that level of a player, but Mingo is a hard worker who focuses on his craft. Those physical tools and the intangibles could make for a special player. That is why I am ok with waiting until this late to take receiver.
The Titans had some other wide receiver options here like Josh Downs and Jayden Reed, but they are smaller players and based on the rosters Titans’ general manager Ran Carthon help put together in San Francisco along with what we know about head coach Mike Vrabel, Mingo seems more their style.
Overall an excellent haul for the Titans here even if they don’t have a fourth-round pick. Getting a long-term starter on the offensive line along with a tight end that helps the passing game and running attack is such a fantastic start. To have Mingo there is putting a cherry on top. Close to a perfect start to the draft for the Titans with a few picks remaining on day three to add depth.
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