With an AFC South division title under their belt, Tennessee is looking to take that next step. Two years ago, the Titans were one step away from the Super Bowl. However, what can they improve on to win it all? Luckily, they have the quarterback, a star running back, and plenty of talent around the team. In this Tennessee Titans 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft, I try to give Tennessee the players to make that next step up.
Titans Pre-Senior Bowl 7-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft
- Round 1, Pick 22: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
- Round 2, Pick 53: Alim McNeil, IDL, NC State
- Round 3, Pick 85: Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
- Round 4, Pick 116: Marquez Stevenson, WR, Houston
- Round 5, Pick 149: Trill Williams, CB, Syracuse
- Round 6, Pick 160: Malcolm Koonce, EDGE, Buffalo
- Round 6, Pick 191: Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State
Titans 2021 NFL Mock Draft pick-by-pick analysis
Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
I came into this draft with one goal in mind. That goal was to bolster the pass rush. Don’t get me wrong, I like Harold Landry. However, Jadeveon Clowney is no guarantee to come back, and Vic Beasley inspires no confidence. It is no surprise that the Titans pass rush was putrid as a result. Thus, at 22, it was all about getting the best edge rusher on the board.
It turns out, that guy was Joseph Ossai from Texas in this Titans 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft. I like what Ossai brings to the table for Tennessee. Ossai is explosive, flexible, and long.
Now, Ossai is a little green, and you’re going to have to accept that, but you can take it for what his role will be. This is a guy who is nowhere near his ceiling as a pass rusher, which could be extremely high. Yet, his best trait is his motor. There is no player with a higher motor than Ossai’s in this class. These traits make Ossai a great fit in Tennessee.
Alim McNeil, IDL, NC State
On a similar note, Alim McNeil is a beast. Instead of going to the edge this time, though, I want to stock the line’s interior in this Titans 7-round Mock Draft. Jeffery Simmons is a monster for Tennessee. However, after Jurrell Casey’s departure, the Titans did not replicate his production on the interior. It was another reason that their pass rush was so weak this season.
When I think of McNeil, the first word that comes to mind is explosive. McNeil jumps off the screen because he is just quicker than everyone else up front. However, a high pad level and wild style of play can dissipate the impact of that explosiveness at times. That is why he fell to the second round in this.
Yet, the upside is undeniable. McNeil is powerful, slippery, and improves with each passing year. The raw traits he has, combined with his improving arsenal of moves and power, make him an effective interior pass rusher and a dangerous football player. In this Titans 7-round Mock Draft, the fit makes too much sense.
Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
Jayon Brown will walk, which is why linebacker was next to be addressed in this Titans 7-round Mock Draft. While David Long is a promising player, Rashaan Evans is an up and down roller coaster. Enter Pete Werner, who can give them a nice third piece in that rotation. Werner has exploded onto the scene and gets better the more he continues to play.
It truly comes down to a few traits. Werner has NFL-level athleticism and coverage ability for a linebacker. Those were things that became clearer and clearer this season. So when you add the ability to defeat blocks at the second level and be a quality run stopper, it is hard not to like Werner. It doesn’t matter what scheme Werner goes to because he can work anywhere, and the Titans capitalize on his talents in the third round.
Marquez Stevenson, WR, Houston
The receiver position could be addressed earlier if the need arises. Corey Davis and Adam Humphries both could very well be gone. So, it was only natural for it to be the next pick in this Titans 7-round Mock Draft. The key to adding something to the receiving corps was speed.
The Titans have their number one receiver in A.J. Brown. If Davis is back, they have a formidable number two. However, they lack a consistent deep threat to take the top off the defense. Cameron Batson and Khalif Raymond have attempted to do so but have failed. The good news is that Marquez Stevenson can be that guy.
With blazing speed, Stevenson threatens all three levels of the field. This is not a guy who is a one-trick pony. All you have to do is watch his work after the cut. Stevenson’s suddenness and twitched-up explosiveness make him a great player to get manufactured touches. Therefore, he can step in there and be the deep threat this offense desperately needs.
Trill Williams, CB, Syracuse
The Titans secondary is an odd one. Malcolm Butler may have been their best cornerback this year, but the cornerback play was not up to standard in general. This secondary got torched all year. Part of that was a ridiculously passive scheme. The other part was poor cornerback play. I felt that had to be addressed in this Titans 7-round Mock Draft.
Trill Williams is a fun player for the Titans here. He is a 6-foot-2 freak athlete. He is an effective slot cornerback, but his size and athleticism allow him to play on the boundary just fine as he has experience there. Williams has all the tools you want in a Day 3 cornerback with significant upside to his game.
Malcolm Koonce, EDGE, Buffalo
Back at it again with pass rushers. The Titans don’t have many pass rushers on their team. Brooks Reed is showing some promise, but he is a rotational piece. So, to strengthen that group, I double-dip at the position in this Titans 7-round Mock Draft.
Malcolm Koonce is a well-built, athletic edge rusher. The guy has the bend, explosiveness, quickness, and length to be a weapon in the NFL. At this point in the draft, you are betting on tools and special teamers.
Koonce moves well in space, so he brings both of those things to the table. He simply gets after it, and while he lacks cohesive pass rush plans after his dip-rip is stopped, Koonce has all the tools necessary to bet that he can add to his counters and toolbox based on his physical traits.
Frank Darby, WR, Arizona State
Like that edge rusher group, the cupboard is bare for the Titans here in the receiver room if both Davis and Humphries walk. Even if one returns, though, you can never have enough YAC receivers. Frank Darby is another one of those Arizona State YAC receivers that does significant damage in the open field. With that in mind, I took him in this Titans 7-round Mock Draft.
I like Darby. He has troubles versus press coverage but can make up for that and fill in at that slot receiver role. Darby is tough, sure-handed, and explosive. These are traits that any team could want out of their slot receiver. Given the heavy play-action game the Titans employ, Darby could grow into a serious threat with development. To start, he will be a quality gunner on punt coverage.
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