These three outcomes would signal a perfect 2024 NFL Draft for the Tennessee Titans
The 2024 NFL Draft is one week away! The Tennessee Titans are entering a potentially franchise-altering weekend with several needs across their roster, particularly at offensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, and safety. The decisions made by the 31 competing teams will directly impact Tennessee’s final haul. We’ve identified three dreamlike scenarios that could play out for the Titans during the 2024 NFL Draft.
DRAFT JOE ALT NO. 7
I believe the most commonly mocked scenario is the best outcome for the Titans. Joe Alt would be a plug-and-play left tackle at a premium position of need. Between Dennis Daley and Andre Dillard, the Titans have had the worst left tackle play in the league for two consecutive seasons. Their inability to get even league-average play from that position left the offense severely shorthanded throughout 2022 and 2023.
The Titans are also unlikely to draft a left tackle of Alt’s caliber in the second round or later, nor are they finding one in free agency. History indicates premium tackles get drafted early and often. The Titans have invested around Will Levis this offseason by adding Calvin Ridley, Lloyd Cushenberry, and Tony Pollard. Exiting this draft without a clear-cut upgrade at left tackle would be a massive error.
The Los Angeles Chargers (No. 5) and New York Giants (No. 6) could consider drafting Alt before the Titans. Both the Chargers and Giants have potential needs at right tackle, and could convince themselves Alt is capable of switching positions and filling that requirement. I don’t necessarily expect them to go that route, but the Titans should be thrilled if Alt remains available with the seventh selection.
TRADE BACK IN ROUND 2, STILL GET PREFERRED TARGET
The Titans could target a number of players, or positions, with their scheduled second-round selection at No. 38 overall. Given Tennessee’s various needs, a trade-back from 38 in order to recoup the 2024 third-rounder they lost in last year’s Levis trade-up could be a worthwhile outcome. It’s worth acknowledging the Titans also lack a 2025 third-round pick after trading it for L’Jarius Sneed. A rebuilding roster without third-rounders in back-to-back drafts isn’t great for accelerating the rebuild.
If the Titans want to target an edge rusher in the second round, it’s conceivable that Marshawn Kneeland, Chris Braswell, or Darius Robinson will be there. If they prefer a wide receiver, Ladd McConkey, Ricky Pearsall, Xavier Legette, Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, Keon Coleman, or Brian Thomas Jr. could be among the options. If it’s an inside linebacker, they should be within striking distance of Junior Colson or Edgerrin Cooper. If they want to double down on offensive tackles, Jordan Morgan, Kingsley Suamataia, and Patrick Paul are within the realm of possibility.
The sheer number of players I just listed indicates why a trade back could be a great option.
DRAFT AND DEVELOP DAY 3 PICKS
When this Titans roster was really humming, it was partially because they had developed day three picks such as Amani Hooker, Jayon Brown, and David Long Jr. Even Nate Davis was a multi-year quality starter as a third-round pick. Chig Okonkwo and Josh Whyle are arguably the only two day-three picks the Titans have developed into useful players over the past few draft classes, many of which were miserable under Jon Robinson.
Ran Carthon and Brian Callahan need to draft talented prospects that are capable of developing into contributors on day three. Both Carthon and Callahan came to Tennessee from annual Super Bowl contending organizations that did a great job of reshaping their rosters through good quality draft picks.
The Titans have shown interest in a ton of intriguing prospects I expect to be drafted in rounds four through seven. That list includes cornerbacks like Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and Kris Abrams-Draine, offensive tackles like Ethan Driskell, Travis Glover, and Dalton Tucker, and linebackers like Jordan Magee.
Drafting a future starter on Saturday could put a bow on an outstanding 2024 NFL Draft for the Titans.
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