Tennessee Titans have qualified for the playoffs in three of the last four seasons. However, after a free agency period filled with roster turnover, the Titans have several glaring needs at various positions on both sides of the ball. With nine total picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Titans are among those teams with a great opportunity to boost their roster. The following includes a rundown of the Titans picks in this year’s NFL Draft, as well as a three-round mock draft based on the team’s greatest needs.
Tennessee Titans 2021 NFL Draft Picks
The Titans have nine picks total in the 2021 NFL Draft. Four of those picks are in the top 100 overall and fall within the first three rounds.
- Round 1 — No. 22 Overall
- Round 2 — No. 53 Overall
- Round 3 — No. 85 Overall
- Round 3 — No. 100 Overall (compensatory)
- Round 4 — No. 126 Overall
- Round 5 — No. 166 Overall
- Round 6 — No. 205 Overall
- Round 6 — No. 215 Overall (from Chiefs)
- Round 7 — No. 232 Overall (from Dolphins)
3-Round Titans Mock Draft
Note: This mock draft disregards potential trades and pre-draft trade rumors. Selections are made based on team’s current allotment of draft picks.
Round 1, Pick 22 — Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Given the Titans’ roster moves in free agency, the cornerback and wide receiver positions stand out as the team’s two greatest needs coming into the NFL Draft. While Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel will likely be able to land a quality wideout in the Second Round, a surefire defensive back is far from guaranteed in that territory. As such, it makes more sense for the Titans to pursue any of the cornerbacks who project to go right around pick No. 22 overall. Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II is one of those on the list.
Newsome was part of a ferocious Northwestern defense in 2020 that gave eventual national finalist Ohio State all they could handle in the Big Ten Championship Game. Newsome allowed just 12 receptions to opposing receivers on 34 targets for 93 yards all season. He had one interception and surrendered a passer rating of just 31.7. He possesses the talent and intangibles to play in both a man or zone scheme. His physicality is a nuisance for any opposing receiver to deal with and he backs it up with impressive speed and agility.
With free-agent signee Janoris Jenkins and 2020 second-rounder Kristian Fulton already in the fold, drafting Newsome would give the Titans an excellent trio or corners. That would be a big step in improving one of the NFL’s worst pass defenses from a year ago.
Round 2, Pick 53 — Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
With cornerback addressed in Round 1, wide receiver becomes the Titans’ primary focus with their Second Round selection. There has been plenty of buzz around a whole host of potential wideout targets. The Titans still have superstar A.J. Brown and have been linked to his former Ole Miss teammate, Elijah Moore, in the pre-draft rumors. Moore’s stock is also reportedly on the rise, and it’s rather unlikely he lasts all the way to pick No. 53. The same can be said for Minnesota product Rashod Bateman who could very well go on Day 1. North Carolina’s Dyami Brown is a name that has the potential to slip through the cracks.
One could argue that Brown is one of the best wide receivers to ever come out of the North Carolina football program. In his three seasons as a Tar Heel, he put up gaudy statistics. He went for over 1,000 yards receiving in both his sophomore and junior seasons, finishing with over 2,300 for his college career. Brown also impressed at his pro day, running a 4.44-second 40-yard dash. With speed like that, it’s no wonder he can stretch the field deep on vertical routes. Brown has decent size (6-1, 195 lbs) and is as dynamic a playmaker as any receiver in this class.
With Corey Davis having departed in free agency, the Titans are in need of a second perimeter threat to line up opposite Brown. The team did well to sign Josh Reynolds, but he might be best suited to play in the slot. Drafting a playmaker like Brown would afford Tennessee the option to do just that.
Round 3, Pick 85 — Walker Little, OT, Stanford
Star Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan was forced to miss more games than he played last season. The team’s line suffered as a result. On top of that, there is no guaranteed starter at the right tackle position as of now. The Titans will almost certainly opt to at least draft some tackle depth in the coming days. Stanford’s Walker Little would be the perfect option. While he certainly would be a depth piece, Little also projects to have the upside to emerge as a potential NFL starter.
Although Little opted out of this past season, he more than made his mark in his time at The Farm. The 6-3, 317-pound lineman played in 21 games over his first two seasons. He earned First Team All Pac-12 honors as a sophomore in 2018. His junior campaign in 2019 failed to advance beyond a single game due to a knee injury. But while Little hasn’t played meaningful game snaps in some time, he has the size and talent to exceed his current draft stock. The Titans would be getting a smooth and athletic blocker with sound upper body strength.
At the very worst, one has to believe Little settles into a role as a sturdy backup. Given how last year went for Lewan, one need not preach to the Titans about the importance of tackle depth.
Round 3, Pick 100 — Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
As usual, the tight end forecaster for the 2021 NFL Draft is all over the map. Trying to make sense of which players might be available at the position just by comparing mock drafts across the industry nearly impossible. Arguing that Miami’s Brevin Jordan will be an option for the Titans at pick No. 100 overall might be a bit of a stretch. That said, if he is still available, Tennessee should not hesitate. In fact, it would not be a surprise to see them go tight end regardless with one of their third round picks given the current state of the position.
With Jonnu Smith heading up north to Foxborough in free agency, the Titans are left without a clear starter at tight end. Anthony Firkser is decent, but he’s probably not ideal to carry a starter’s workload. He almost certainly would not pick up where Smith left off last season. Brevin Jordan has the right combination of size, skill and athleticism to be that guy for Tennessee. His time at The U was marked by constant growth and progression. Jordan possesses tremendous hands and fine ball control.
Jordan’s work ethic seems to be one that will enable continued development and expansion upon his current route tree at the NFL level. With Ryan Tannehill in need of a new red zone go-to, the Titans should look to land him one with their final pick of Night 2.
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