NFL Scouting Combine: Top Priorities for Tennessee Titans at No. 7 Pick and Beyond
INDIANAPOLIS — When you're picking No. 7 in the 2024 NFL Draft, you probably need to address quite a few position groups in the offseason. That's the case for the Tennessee Titans, 6-11 in 2023 and hoping to find some quality players to add to their draft board this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Tennessee could go a number of ways with the NFL Draft, but here are the team's biggest needs this offseason — as well as a few players who already may be on the radars of general manager Ran Carthon and coach Brian Callahan.
1. Offensive line
It's no secret that Tennessee must improve its offensive line play, particularly at left tackle. The Andre Dillard/Jaelyn Duncan tag team allowed 29 of the Titans' quarterback sacks.
The most likely scenario is that the Titans go with an offensive tackle in the first round of the NFL Draft. The most common names that have popped up include Notre Dame's Joe Alt, Penn State's Olu Fashanu, and Oregon State's Taliese Fuaga.
Alt and Fashanu are considered the top-two prospects at the position in this year's draft class. However, Fuaga turned some heads with his play at the Reese's Senior Bowl. The Oregon State product might be more of an option for Tennessee than most fans realize.
Any incoming offensive lineman then will become a student of Bill Callahan, widely acknowledged as one of the NFL's great teachers.
2. Wide receiver
Outside of DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee got little production from its receiving corps. Hopkins ended the year with 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns. No other receiver had more than 424 yards (Chris Moore).
The consensus among draft experts is that the Titans will either address the receiver position through free agency or in the second round of the NFL Draft. Perhaps both?
North Carolina receiver Devontez Walker has been a name associated with the Titans after finishing last season with 699 yards and seven touchdowns.
Another name to keep an eye on is Michigan's Roman Wilson. A second-round projection might be a little high for the former Wolverine, but he's another player who has seen his stock jump since the Senior Bowl.
3. Defensive back
Switching to the other side of the football, Tennessee needs some help with its pass defense in 2024. The numbers last season just aren't going to cut it.
The Titans ranked 19th in opponent yards per pass (7.3), 29th in opponent completion percentage (67.8%), and 32nd in interceptions (six). They must get better.
Hiring Dennard Wilson as defensive coordinator is a step in the right direction. Wilson coached league-leading pass defenses the past two seasons in Philadelphia and Baltimore. But he needs players.
Oregon product Khyree Jackson could be a middle-round selection for the Titans and is a player worth watching in the combine.
Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil could be another logical option for the Titans. He may not be the hottest prospect at the position, but he made the transition from receiver to defensive back relatively late in his college career.
He possesses the versatility to play multiple positions in the secondary. Plus, with the right coaching, he has a pretty high ceiling considering his relative inexperience at defensive back.
4. Defensive end
Picking up an edge defender isn't the biggest priority for the Titans this offseason, but if there's a prospect that stands out, adding another pass-rusher wouldn't hurt.
Since Tennessee would likely wait until later in the draft, there aren't a whole lot of names attached with the franchise at the position. Washington State's Brennan Jackson is a name that popped up in one mock draft (The Tennessean), though.
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