© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Best Round One Fits for Tennessee Titans in 2023 NFL Draft
INDIANAPOLIS -- The NFL Combine officially kicks off today, which means several of the other main offseason events are just around the corner. Free agency officially begins on March 15, and the highly-anticipated NFL Draft is in exactly two months on April 28.
The Tennessee Titans hold the No. 11 pick in the first round, and it'll be interesting what options that are available after the first ten selections. With players set to showcase their skills throughout the next week here at the combine, let's take a closer look, in no particular order, into the best draft prospect fits for Day 1 of the draft.
Quentin Johnston, wide receiver, TCU
At No. 11, the Titans could very likely have their fair share of options at the wide receiver position. TCU's Quentin Johnston is one of the top wideouts in this class and would fill a big need for the Titans.
You could make the case for some of the other top receivers in this class, but Johnston, to me, is a perfect compliment for Treylon Burks. In 2022, Johnston, who stands at 6'4," hauled in 60 receptions for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns.
Many have projected that the talented receiver could go in the top ten of the draft. If Johnston is there and the top tackles are off the board by the time the Titans are set to pick at No. 11, selecting the TCU standout would make a lot of sense.
Peter Skoronski, left tackle, Northwestern
Northwestern left tackle Peter Skoronski is perhaps the best tackle in this class. With questions surrounding several positions along the offensive line, adding the dominant tackle would make a ton of sense for the Titans at No. 11.
Given Skoronski's talent, some have even said he'd be more of a guard than tackle. Either way, left tackle is the Titans' biggest need, and Skoronski is extremely dominant in pass protection and can move very well. There's a reason Skoronski is regarded as the top tackle talent in this class, and if he's there at No. 11, the Titans should run the card up to the podium.
Lukas Van Ness, edge rusher, Iowa
Lukas Van Ness is such an intriguing talent. In 2022, he recorded 6.5 sacks to go along with 36 total tackles. While he primarily played outside in 2022, Van Ness spent a lot of time as a three-technique for Iowa in 2021. Being able to play both inside and outside may help the talented pass rusher climb up draft boards.
When you look at Tennessee's needs defensively, edge rusher isn't one that typically comes to mind right away. Bud Dupree's future with the Titans seems uncertain, and he's had trouble staying healthy over the last few seasons. Harold Landry III is coming off a torn ACL, so it's unknown whether the team's leader in sacks from just a couple of seasons ago can return to his old form.
If Landry won't be ready to go to start the season and Dupree is cut sometime this offseason, drafting Van Ness would give the Titans' defense a young and talented edge rusher to pair with their other stars along the defensive line in Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry and others.
Titans' NFL Combine Preview: It's NFL Combine week, which is one of the largest events of the entire offseason for all 32 teams around the league. With the combine kicking off this week, what should Titans fans be looking out for in days the ahead? CLICK HERE
Titans draft dream scenario: The Tennessee Titans head into the NFL offseason with a ton of needs, specifically on offense. NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah thinks this offensive lineman out of Northwestern would be a perfect pick for the Titans. CLICK HERE
Titans 'have to get more explosive on offense' at No. 11 pick: What direction should the Tennessee Titans go with the 11th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft? NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah weighs in on what could be some of the best options for the Titans in the first round. CLICK HERE
