With the 2023 NFL Combine right around the corner (Feb. 28-March 6), we’re taking a look at who draft experts are taking for the Tennessee Titans in their respective mock drafts.
Most experts have the Titans taking an offensive tackle in Round 1, with Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. and Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski being the most popular choices.
And they are good ones, as Johnson and Skoronski are two of the best tackles in this year’s draft and would fill a major need for a Titans team that has multiple holes upfront, including at guard, also.
Without further ado, let’s take a trip through recent mock drafts and see who experts are pegging to the Titans.
Luke Easterling, Draft Wire (three rounds)
No. 11 overall: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
This offense isn’t going anywhere without some serious upgrades in the trenches. Skoronski might be smaller than most teams would like a tackle to be, but regardless of where he lines up, he’s a Day 1 starter with the polish, power and technique to help get this unit back on track.
No. 41 overall: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
No. 72 overall: WR Marvin Mims Jr., Oklahoma
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire (two rounds)
No. 11 overall: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
No. 41 overall: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
Nate Davis, USA TODAY
No. 11 overall: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
The offense seemingly never recovered from the highly debated draft night trade of A.J. Brown last year. Johnston is big (6-4, 215 pounds) and explosive and – in concert with 2022 first-rounder Treylon Burks – could open up the field for RB Derrick Henry while providing a massive target for whoever is playing quarterback in Nashville next season.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (two rounds)
No. 11 overall: OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
Paris Johnson, who played left tackle for the Buckeyes this season, also has experience on the interior; either way, he is a Day 1 starter.
No. 41 overall: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated
No. 11 overall: OT Paris Johnson Jr. Ohio State
Taylor Lewan, who missed all but two games with a knee injury last year, expects to be cut in “the next couple of weeks” and then he’ll make a decision on whether he’ll retire. Either way, the Titans could use this pick on a long-term left tackle prospect with Johnson. The former five-star recruit was a two-year starter at both right guard (2021) and left tackle (’22), but he’s ideally suited to play left tackle given his combination of size, length and athleticism.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
No. 11 overall: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
Broderick Jones is a young player with great strength. Tennessee may need both left and right tackle this offseason. Jones will fill one of those roles dependent upon what other decisions the Titans make this offseason.
Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network
No. 11 overall: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
The Titans appear to be in transition as they try to figure out the team’s identity moving forward. I think this leads them to get back to basics and address positions that aren’t going to win the headlines but pay high dividends throughout the season. Peter Skoronski has the versatility to play guard and tackle and should be a plug-and-play starter for a unit that needs to be upgraded.
Walter Football (three rounds)
No. 11 overall: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Taylor Lewan is a 32-year-old coming off a knee injury. He’s also due $14.8 million next season in what happens to be his contract year. I imagine the Titans will want to find help with their poor blocking.
Peter Skoronski is an athletic tackle who has kept his quarterback clean. He can play center as well.
No. 41 overall: EDGE B.J. Ojulari, LSU
Bud Dupree could be released after this season because he has not produced up to his salary.
No. 72 overall: WR Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss
The Titans need another receiver to pair with Treylon Burks.
Jonathan Mingo is a huge receiver who runs great routes and can generate good yards after the catch.
Danny Kelly, The Ringer
No. 11 overall: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Mayer fits the Titans’ identity like a glove, giving the team a hard-nosed blocker in the run game while providing some much-needed playmaking talent on offense. He’s a beast in the red zone and should start from the get-go.
