Titans NFL Draft Daily (Jan. 25): Why Tennessee Could Select WR With No. 7 Pick
Since the Tennessee Titans confirmed their place at No. 7 in the 2024 NFL Draft, much of the conversation has veered toward finding a new left tackle. That's probably going to be the case. There is still a chance that new coach Brian Callahan and general manager Ran Carthon decide to go wide receiver in the first round, too.
To be blunt, quarterback Will Levis needs protection and production.
At left tackle, the tandem of Andre Dillard and Jaelyn Duncan allowed 29 sacks in 2023.
It doesn't matter who plays receiver if Levis doesn't have time to throw the football. In the same breath, having better targets might allow the quarterback to get the ball out of his hands a little quicker.
DeAndre Hopkins was the only receiver to put up significant numbers in 2023, finishing with 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns on 75 catches.
No other receiver surpassed 450 yards for the Titans. So, yes, taking a playmaker at receiver is a legitimate option for Callahan and Carthon in this year's draft.
What ESPN experts are saying
Like everyone else, the NFL Draft experts at ESPN believe Tennessee picks up an offensive tackle at the No. 7 spot. Mel Kiper Jr. recently predicted the Titans would pick Notre Dame All-American left tackle Joe Alt in his first mock draft.
"If Joe Alt (Notre Dame) or Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Penn State) are available, it's likely the Titans select either of them," writes ESPN's Turron Davenport.
"Tennessee also has a shortage of playmaking receivers, as 2022 first-rounder Treylon Burks caught just 16 passes in 11 games in his second season. This draft class has three wideouts talented enough to go in the top 10. Don't be surprised if one of them ends up with the Titans."
Who could Titans target at receiver?
So, for the sake of argument, let's say Tennessee does value a receiver over a left tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft. Who are the potential candidates for the Titans?
It appears a foregone conclusion that some team will have selected Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., the top receiver in this year's draft class, in the first five picks. There are still two really solid options for the Titans, though.
LSU's Malik Nabers and Washington's Rome Odunze both have the potential to make an immediate impact in Nashville.
Nabers had a monster year at LSU in 2023, totaling 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns on 89 receptions. Odunze finished the year with 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdown grabs in his final season at Washington.
Per ESPN's top 25 prospect list, Nabers ranks No. 5 and Odunze comes in at No. 8.
Related Titans stories
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- TOM BREW COLUMN: Brian Callahan has worked with some of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and most recently has helped turned Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow into a star. He's the next head coach of the Tennessee Titans, and his first job will be to turn Will Levis into that same kind of star. This is a great hire for the Titans. CLICK HERE
- PEYTON MANNING ON CALLAHAN: Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning is raving about his former collaborator and the Tennessee Titans' new coach. He's a "great hire." CLICK HERE
