After taking Alabama right-tackle-intended-to-be-NFL-left-tackle JC Latham at No. 7, the Titans stuck with their solo pick on the second day of the NFL Draft and added a defensive-tackle-all-the-way in 366-pound T’Vondre Sweat with the No. 38 pick.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the Titans are done up front on either side, but it does put edge, linebacker and safety at a premium. With cornerback a position to watch. And the Titans could always use another receiver or tight end.
Here are 11 possibilities for the Titans on Saturday’s final day, rounds 4-7. They have pick No. 106 in the fourth, 146 in the fifth, 182 in the sixth, and 242 and 252 in the seventh.
T’Vondre Sweat drove this dude back with one arm 😳pic.twitter.com/lpXIcRveu3 https://t.co/GJzakFwmQP
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) April 26, 2024
Caelen Carson, CB, Wake Forest. Carson, ranked No. 102 by The Athletic’s draft analyst Dane Brugler, is one of several corners who took a visit to Nashville. He could play inside or outside at 5-11, 193, and Brugler writes that if healthy, he projects as “an eventual NFL starter.”
Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State. The Titans didn’t take Michigan linebacker Junior Colson earlier in the draft (he went No. 69 to the Chargers and his college coach, Jim Harbaugh), so what about the guy at the same position who played for his rival? Ranked No. 106 by Brugler, Eichenberg has everything a team wants in a run stopper, but his coverage skills are the question.
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Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville. Brugler’s No. 112 prospect also visited the Titans and hammers home the point that they are serious about adding to the position. He’s smaller, 5-10, 194, and sometimes overly aggressive, but Brugler writes that he’s good enough to compete for a starting nickel role early in his career.
Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri. Right behind Brownlee in Brugler’s rankings (No. 114) is another player the Titans have had in, and he’s another guy who projects with his size (5-11, 179) and game to play inside in the NFL. Brugler writes that he is “a light-footed athlete who competes his tail off and anticipates well.”
Javon Baker, WR, UCF. The depth at receiver extends well into the draft, and Baker projects as someone who will line up outside at 6-1, 202. Brugler ranks him No. 120 and says his tape has a combination of inconsistency to go with speed and ball-tracking skills.
Top 10 Javon Baker Catches
Which would you rank #1? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/sAtkvDIpoK
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) April 22, 2024
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson. The linebackers in this range of the draft are more in the thumper mold and less prolific in coverage, and that certainly describes the 6-foot, 228-pound Trotter. Brugler ranks him No. 123 and calls him an “instinctive hammer” with limitations in space.
Will Reichard, PK, Alabama. Yep, it’s about time the Titans used a draft pick on a top kicking prospect and solved the position for years to come. Nick Folk filled the role better than anyone could have hoped last season and is back, but the Titans don’t want to keep wandering in the kicker wilderness. What pick would it take? Could the Titans get him at 182, or even with one of their seventh-round picks? Brugler ranks him No. 168.
Eric All, TE, Iowa. You can’t just ignore an Iowa tight end, can you? As a bonus, he also played some college ball at Michigan. And though tight end is not top of mind as a Titans need, All is a talented prospect whom Brugler ranks No. 197 and projects as a No. 2 tight end on an NFL depth chart — if he can stay healthy. All’s injury history means he could end up a value pick.
Sione Vaki, S, Utah. Vaki, ranked No. 204 by Brugler, impresses much more as a physical presence than an athlete in space. But this could work in tandem with a veteran signing, especially because he projects as a special teams contributor.
Evan Williams, S, Oregon. Now we’re into the late picks for the Titans, and safety should be a consideration even though there are veterans who could be signed over the summer. Amani Hooker is a terrific player and Elijah Molden is penciled in as the co-starter for now, but this position needs work. Brugler ranks Williams No. 185 and writes that he has “an energetic field presence with a trigger and toughness that are easy to appreciate.”
Braiden McGregor, edge, Michigan. It’s hard to resist considering prospects from Michigan, considering the schematic translation and the greatness of that defense in 2023 — though it can also be true that the top stars on a defense like that can make the role players look better. Brugler ranks McGregor No. 231 and describes him as “long, fast and explosive” at 6-5, 254, comparing him to Cleveland’s Alex Wright.
(Photo of Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg: Joseph Maiorana / USA Today)
