Because you didn’t get enough mock drafts in the months leading up to the 2022 NFL draft, here’s more for you to enjoy, as experts are already looking ahead to 2023 for every team, including the Tennessee Titans.
We all consumed about 80 billion mock drafts in the past few months and, yes, Titans Wire is guilty of contributing to that total.
However, it’s the offseason and there isn’t a lot going on right now, thus we’re taking one more trip (we promise this is the last one) around the mock draft circuit to see what picks experts are making for the Titans.
Luke Easterling, Draft Wire: 18. TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
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Easterling: “This offense desperately needs a complete tight end who can help clear the road for Derrick Henry in the run game, but also challenge defenses as a receiving thread. Mayer checks all of those boxes, and is a red-zone machine.”
Todd McShay, ESPN: 17. TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
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McShay: “Mayer finished his sophomore season with 71 catches (third among tight ends) and 840 receiving yards (fourth). He has tremendous 6-foot-4, 251-pound size and good hands. The Titans would love a playmaking tight end like Mayer for quarterback Ryan Tannehill — or Malik Willis, should the Titans make that move going into 2023.”
Walter Cherepinsky: 15. TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Cherepinsky: “The Titans have needed help at tight end for quite some time, so perhaps they’ll use this pick to finally fill that need.
“The next NFL tight end to come out of Notre Dame, Michael Mayer murdered opponents with high production over the middle of the field.”
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire: 17. EDGE Nolan Smith, Georgia
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Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: 19. WR Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland
Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Wilson: “The Titans shipped A.J. Brown to Philly and drafted Treylon Burks, but there’s room for more playmakers at the position. Whether it’s Ryan Tannehill or Malik Willis at QB, Demus would be a welcome addition to the WR room.”
Christian D'Andrea, For The Win: 22. TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
D’Andrea: “The Titans signed Austin Hooper and drafted athletic Maryland standout Chigoziem Okwonko in hopes of upgrading their tight end platoon this spring. Mayer may provide too much value at No. 22 to pass up.
“He’s currently the clubhouse leader to be the first tight end off the board after a 71-catch, seven-touchdown sophomore season with the Fighting Irish. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he’s big enough to be a useful run-game blocker — a talent for which head coach Mike Vrabel is always looking.”
Jason McIntyre, FOX Sports: 18. EDGE BJ Ojulari, LSU
SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
McIntyre: “This is the younger brother of Azeez Ojulari, a 2021 pick by the Giants. BJ had seven sacks and 11.5 TFLs in 2021 and projects as one of the best pass-rushers in the SEC for 2022.”
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus: 18. OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
Renner: “Skoronski took over for Rashawn slater as a true freshman in 2020 and the offense barely missed a beat. He’s earned overall grades of 81.4 and 83.8 in his two seasons as a starter.”
Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: 17. OT Dawand Jones, Ohio State
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Sobleski: “The Tennessee Titans drafted Nicholas Petit-Frere in this year’s third round as the possible long-term solution at left tackle and should be developed as Taylor Lewan’s potential replacement. Lewan turns 31 later this year, his salary-cap charge is $14.8 million next year with no guaranteed money left on the deal, and the veteran hasn’t played particularly well as of late.
“The Titans can bring in Petit-Frere’s collegiate teammate, Ohio State’s Dawand Jones, and have a plan to address both tackle spots.
“Jones is a massive road-grader (6’8”, 360 pounds) at right tackle. He’ll need to clean up his pass protection to firmly establish himself as a first-round talent, but just being marginal in this area is good enough since pass-rushers are forced to circumnavigate his expansive wingspan.
“If improvement in Jones’ game does occur, the Titans could have a solution for both offensive tackles.”
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 17. WR Jordan Addison, Pittsburgh
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Iyer: “The Titans did replace traded A.J. Brown with first-rounder Treylon Burks, but they also need to be wary of the fact newcomer Robert Woods is coming off a torn ACL and will be turning 31 before next season. Addison was the best collegiate receiver in 2021 catching passes from Pickett and will have appeal because he can be highly effective with his quickness in the slot if not using his smooth route-running outside.”
