The 2023 NFL Draft is underway. The Tennessee Titans appear to be at a crossroads between taking one more shot with their current core or blowing it up. Their two biggest offseason moves have been releasing Robert Woods and signing Jeffery Simmons to a four-year extension. With their direction still unclear, what positions are most important for the Titans to address during the draft?
Tennessee Titans Team Needs Following Round 1 of the NFL Draft
- OT
- WR
- C
- EDGE
- G
No NFL roster is perfect. Whether via free agency, trade, or the draft, each team has needs to address.
With the last-ranked offensive line, the Titans’ primary goal entering this draft should’ve been building their line early and often. Outside of quarterback, no position is more important.
So far, so good. The Titans took one of the top o-line prospects with their first pick. By no means should they be done taking offensive linemen. However, with limited selections, they can only do so much.
2023 is likely Ryan Tannehill’s final year as a Titan. It also appears the Titans have thrown in the towel (rightfully so) on the Malik Willis experiment. While QB may not be a need, they absolutely should take a shot on one.
MORE: Tennessee Titans 2023 NFL Draft Picks
But equally important is who that QB is throwing to. The Titans are quite bereft of wide receiver talent beyond potentially Treylon Burks. And the jury is still out on Burks. The Titans would be well-served not to leave Day 2 without a new wide receiver, but the overall weakness of this class may make forcing it not worth it. That’s something the Titans’ front office will have to decide.
On the defensive side, the Titans were downright dreadful against the pass. No team allowed more passing yards per game. They could really use a strong edge rusher to frustrate opposing quarterbacks.
Results for Titans 2023 Draft Picks
1.11 | Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
This easily could’ve been Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but this offensive line was just so bad last season. The Titans did the right thing. They needed a top lineman, and Peter Skoronski provides them with the first piece of a multi-year offensive line rebuild.
Predictions for Remaining Titans Draft Picks
While it’s impossible to predict exactly how any draft will play out, we can use the PFN Mock Draft Simulator to get a pretty good idea of what players will be available at each of a team’s draft picks.
2.10 | Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
The Titans definitely need to take a wide receiver, but Hendon Hooker likely would’ve been a first-round pick if not for his injury. He can sit behind Tannehill for a year and take over as the starter in 2024.
3.09 | Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE, USC
Last season’s Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year is quite solid in pass coverage for a man of his size. While Tuli Tuipulotu still has work to do as a pass rusher, he would provide an immediate boost for a pass defense in dire need of a playmaker.
5.12 | Jon Gaines II, C, UCLA
One of the top centers remaining and top players on the board, anyone other than Jon Gaines II feels like a reach to force drafting a position of need. The Titans probably should’ve taken a wide receiver by now, but perhaps punting the position until a stronger class comes along next year is a better move. Gaines provides them depth at a more pressing position of need.
6.09 | Rakim Jarrett, WR, Maryland
Taking a wide receiver on Day 3 isn’t going to solve the problem. It won’t even help it much. But they have to try. Rakim Jarrett has good speed and an overall strong athletic profile. This late in the draft, you’re just looking for raw skills to work with.
MORE: Tennessee Titans 2023 Schedule
The real issue for the Titans is they have a ton of needs and not enough draft picks. They would likely be well-served to trade down from their first-round selection to acquire multiple picks.
7.11 | DeWayne McBride, RB, UAB
The Titans don’t necessarily have a luxury pick, given their lack of selections in this draft. However, they also have a 29-year-old Derrick Henry and no quality backs behind him. DeWayne McBride is a two-down grinder with great production on the ground. He could serve as a capable backup to the King.