2021 NFL Draft: Day Two Live Updates, Analysis
Many of the other options the Tennessee Titans had at No. 22 remain on the board as day two of the NFL Draft commences.
The Titans made one of the more intriguing picks in the first round of the NFL Draft by selecting Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley, a player who has endless talent but plenty of injury concerns.
General manager Jon Robinson and company have three picks on Friday night, including one in the second round (53) and two in the third round (85 and 100). However, Robinson has said on multiple occasions over the last couple of weeks that the Titans are willing to move around if the situation is an optimal one.
With several first-round caliber players still there for the taking, matters could get even more interesting for the Titans tonight.
A few players to keep a close eye on: Elijah Moore (WR, Ole Miss), Teven Jenkins (OT, Oklahoma State), Azeez Ojulari (OLB/edge, Georgia).
Sit back, and wait to see who joins Farley in the Titans' 2021 draft class.
(6:10, CDT): The Jaguars are using their draft position to their advantage. After adding quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne last night, they went defense with the first pick in the second round. Georgia cornerback Tyson Campbell is the newest member of the AFC South. Quite the haul so far for the Jaguars.
(6:23, CDT): A prospect that the majority of experts and mock drafters projected the Titans to land is gone two picks into the second round. Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore is a New York Jet. A speedy and versatile option for quarterback Zach Wilson. Moore will learn plenty from former Titans wide receiver and 2017 first-round pick Corey Davis, who signed with the Jets in free agency.
(6:30, CDT): With Moore off the board, here are some of the best available wide receiver prospects: Terrace Marshall (LSU), Rondale Moore (Purdue), Dyami Brown (North Carolina), D'Wayne Eskridge (Western Michigan).
(6:37, CDT): Alabama had a record-tying six players go in the first round last night. Offensive guard Landon Dickerson is the seventh Crimson Tide to be drafted this year. He's headed to the Philadelphia Eagles.
(6:40, CDT): Make that eight Alabama players. The Patriots traded up to take defensive tackle Christian Barmore, arguably the top player at his position in this draft.
(6:43, CDT): There goes Teven Jenkins, who seemed to be a perfect prospect for the Titans. The massive offensive tackle is now a Chicago Bear. Here are some of the top options remaining at that position: Liam Eichenberg (Notre Dame), Sam Cosmi (Texas), Jalen Mayfield (Michigan).
(6:49, CDT): Wouldn't it be something if LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall fell to the Titans? Cornerback Kristian Fulton, who the Titans drafted in the second round last spring, tweeted: "@Titans @terracemjr." That's an interesting development to keep an eye on.
(6:54, CDT): Eichenberg is off the board. The right/left tackle is a Miami Dolphin. During a pre-draft press conference, Robinson said he thought offensive line was a pretty deep pool. Perhaps that's why the Titans haven't been in a hurry to take one in this draft.
(6:56, CDT): Okay, how many trades is that? Teams are making deals at incredible speed.
(7:00, CDT): The Titans are seven picks away. Who are the best available players at the moment? Azeez Ojulari (OLB/edge, Georgia), Terrace Marshall (WR, LSU), Rondale Moore (WR, Purdue), Sam Cosmi (OT, Texas), Carlos Basham Jr. (DE, Wake Forest), Asante Samuel Jr. (DB, Florida State), Pat Feiermuth (TE, Penn State).
(7:15, CDT): Asante Samuel Jr. goes to the Los Angeles Chargers. Titans coach Mike Vrabel played with his father, Asante Samuel Sr., with the New England Patriots.
(7:23, CDT): Both Moores are off the board. Highly talented Purdue slot wide receiver Rondale Moore goes to the Arizona Cardinals. Best available options at wide receiver included Dyami Brown (North Carolina), Terrace Marshall (LSU), D'Wayne Eskridge (Central Michigan).
(7:30, CDT): Titans fans who were on their hands and knees hoping Azeez Ojulari (OLB, Georgia) continued to fall won't be happy about this one. The Giants take him at No. 50.
(7:32, CDT): And another offensive tackle is off the board. Sam Cosmi (Texas) goes to Washington at No. 51. It seems more and more likely that the Titans will go with a wide receiver at No. 53.
(7:34, CDT): The Browns trade up to get ahead of the Titans. The home crowd goes wild as linebacker Jeramiah Owusu-Koramoah is named the newest Brown at No. 52.
(7:39, CDT): The Titans are on the clock. I believe they will go with a wide receiver here. Top options included Dyami Brown (UNC), Terrace Marshall (LSU).
(7:42, CDT): The Titans select Dillon Radunz, an offensive tackle from North Dakota State. Radunz protected quarterback Trey Lance, who went No. 3 overall to the 49ers, over the last few seasons. While there were plenty of talented wide receivers for the taking at No. 53, the Titans needed to address offensive tackle sooner than later after the Isaiah Wilson fiasco last season. The 6-foot-5, 304-pounder will compete for the starting right tackle job in training camp along with free-agent addition Kendall Lamm and others.
(7:49, CDT): Former Vanderbilt University star defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo is off the board. He will play for the Titans' biggest threat in the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts. Indianapolis is putting together one heck of a defensive front, with Michigan's Kwity Paye in the first round, and now Odeyingbo.
(7:55, CDT) ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday that teams believe Titans second-round pick Dillon Radunz can play all five positions on the offensive line.
(8:01, CDT): Titans second-round selection Dillon Radunz said he trained with former San Francisco 49ers offensive lineman Joe Staley, a six-time Pro Bowler.
(8:07, CDT): Former NFL cornerback Aquib Talib, who hosts a show on Bleacher Report, says the Titans should give running back Derrick Henry 30 carries per game in wake of drafting offensive tackle Dillon Radunz at No. 53.
(8:08, CDT): Radunz said he is aware of why the Titans had a need at right tackle (Isaiah Wilson's falling out). He called the situation "unfortunate."
(8:11, CDT): Radunz says he watched the draft from his home near Minneapolis, Minnesota. He said he was holding back tears as general manager Jon Robinson told him he would be a Titan.
(8:18, CDT): Terrace Marshall's fall is over with. The LSU wide receiver stays in Louisiana with the New Orleans Saints. Robinson must believe the receiver position is very deep this year. D'Wayne Eskridge went a few picks earlier to Seattle. Best available pass catchers now: Dyami Brown (North Carolina), Tylan Brown (Oklahoma State), Nico Collins (Michigan).
(8:25, CDT): The Buffalo Bills have loaded up on the edge rushers. They just took Carlos Basham (Wake Forest) after drafting Gregory Rousseau last night. Joseph Ossai (Texas), who many thought would be a second-round pick, is the best available edge rusher. The question: how much longer will he last. Third round coming up...
(8:38, CDT): The Houston Texans just made their FIRST pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Yes, you read that right. As star quarterback Deshaun Watson's NFL future looks more uncertain amid a sexual harassment scandal, the Texans selected Stanford quarterback Davis Mills. Even if Watson does play again in wake of the disturbing allegations, he requested to be traded earlier this offseason.
(8:50, CDT): On that same note, it seems more and more likely that the Titans will be the only AFC South team that returns their starting quarterback this season. The Jaguars (Lawrence), Colts (Carson Wentz) and Texans (unknown) all figure to have new signal-callers this season.
(8:52, CDT): Joseph Ossai (edge, Texas) goes to the Bengals at No. 69. One player to watch out for at No. 85 is Tulane's Cameron Sample. He won Senior Bowl Defensive MVP honors. He's a raw prospect but could grow and develop behind talented veterans Bud Dupree and Harold Landry.
(9:21, CDT): The Titans will make their first of two third-round selections shortly (No. 85). Wide receiver is the biggest need right now. Some options that might be there for them: Brown (North Carolina), Wallace (Ok. State), Collins (Michigan), Amari Rodgers (Clemson).
(9:32, CDT): There goes Brown (WR, UNC). The options for the Titans at WR are dwindling. If they don't pick a pass catcher at No. 85, it'd be shocking. Best available: Wallace (Ok. State), Collins (Michigan), Brevin Jordan (TE, Miami), Amari Rodgers (Clemson).
(9:37, CDT): Titans trade the No. 85 pick to Green Bay, who moves up seven spots from No. 92. The Titans now hold picks 92 and 100. The Titans also acquired No. 135 from Green Bay in the trade.
(9:42, CDT): Everyone thought the Titans would draft a wide receiver.
(9:50, CDT): The Houston Texans have now made the same amount of draft picks as the Titans. Houston did not make its first selection until the beginning of this round. Ironically, the pick was Michigan WR Nico Collins. The wide receiver pool has dried up quickly in the latter stage of the third round.
(10, CDT): A linebacker? The Titans select Georgia inside linebacker Monty Rice at No. 92. Jayon Brown returned to the Titans on a one-year deal, and Rashaan Evans' fifth-year option decision is looming. The Titans are thinking about the future here. This past season, Rice was one of five finalists for the Dick Butkus Award, which is given to college football's top linebacker annually. He was a three-year starter with the Bulldogs, and he finished atop the team in tackles in each of those seasons.
(10:08, CDT): At this point, it's legitimate to doubt if the Titans will take a wide receiver. Here are some potential options for them at pick 100 anyway...Tylan Wallace (Ok. State), Shi Smith (South Carolina), Brevin Jordan (TE, Miami), Austin Watkins (UAB), Amon'Ra St. Brown (USC).
(10:16, CDT): Monty Rice, speaking to local media members for the first time, says he is a three-down linebacker. The third-round pick said Georgia has the most complex defense in college football, and he is ready to take on an NFL playbook.
(10:20, CDT): Rice says this is more than a personal triumph. It's a family triumph.
(10:29, CDT): The Titans' most glaring weakness last season was defense, particularly their pass defense. They've focused on it in the draft. With the 100th pick, the Titans selected Washington defensive back Elijah Molden. Some projected the nickel/safety would be a second-round pick ahead of the draft. The 5-10, 190-pounder seems like a guy who will find his way onto the field on defense and special teams. He'll be able to learn from veteran slot corner Kevin Johnson and if he does become a safety, he'll be able to pick the brain of a Pro Bowler and All-Pro, Kevin Byard.
(10:45, CDT): Molden said he had a feeling that he would be a Titan all along. He said they were among the most interested in him, and he did a breakdown of their defense at some point in the past few months.
