Mike Moraitis
April 23, 2024 8:07 am ET
After months and months of speculation, rumors and mock drafts, the 2024 NFL draft is just days away and we’ll FINALLY have answers for what the Tennessee Titans will do.
If you’re like me, you’ve had it with all of the aforementioned things. The process leading up to the draft is just too damn long and exhausting and it’s well past time to get this show on the road.
One of the things that has made this particular cycle a bit more tedious is the fact that Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt has been mocked to the Titans a ridiculous amount. Of course, that pick makes sense considering Tennessee’s need, and he is my personal preference for the Titans in the first round, but the lack of variety makes clicking on mocks far less exciting.
So, with that in mind, our final mock draft round-up includes expert projections that do not have the Titans taking Alt. After scouring the internet, here’s what we found:
R.J. White, CBS Sports: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
White: “While Alt being off the board is a curse, Nabers being available is a blessing. Yes, the Titans signed Calvin Ridley to a big deal this offseason and still have DeAndre Hopkins, but the latter turns 32 in June, the former turns 30 this season and disappeared at times for the Jaguars in his return to football following an indefinite suspension for violating the gambling policy, and new coach Brian Callahan’s offense in Cincinnati excelled when all three top receivers were healthy anyway. Finding a legit young receiver should still be a priority for Tennessee.”
Jordan Reid, ESPN: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Reid: “Offensive tackle has been a common projection at this spot, and it’s without question the weakest position on the Titans’ roster. But Alt is off the board, and taking the best player available instead of reaching for a need makes sense. Tennessee signedCalvin Ridleyto afour-year, $92 million deal, butDeAndre Hopkinsis entering the final year of his contract. Odunze could make an immediate impact for QBWill Levis, making plays on vertical routes or over the middle.”
Ari Meirov, The 33rd Team: OT JC Latham, Alabama
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Meirov: “If Alt is off the board, which he is in this mock, then this could be the sweet spot for a team to trade up and get the quarterback it covets. Tennessee could then draft one of the other available tackles, or the Titans could stick and secure whoever the second-ranked tackle is on their board.JC Lathamis a mountain of a man and played primarily at right tackle at Alabama.”
Gordon McGuinness, PFF: OT Olu Fashanu, Penn State
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
McGuinness: “Joe Altto theTennessee Titansis a lock in the eyes of many, but the Chargers spoiled that dream here. While it would be easy for the Titans to be disappointed in this situation, Fashanu looks like a franchise left tackle in pass protection. The Penn State product allowed just 10 pressures from 382 pass-blocking snaps last season, so I wouldn’t have any concerns about drafting him in the top 10.”
Chris Simms, NBC Sports: OT JC Latham, Alabama
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Simms: “He could’ve gone No. 5 to the Chargers, but he goes to Tennessee instead. The Titans’ offensive line has been through the ringer in recent years, and it’s “the thing that needs to be addressed by them in a big way.”
Ryan Pawloski, Still Curtain: WR Malik Nabers, LSU
SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
Pawloski: “Great scenario here for the Tennessee Titans as Malik Nabers falls to their pick. They run to the podium and take potentially the best receiver coming out of college. It has been a debate over the past several weeks if Harrison Jr. or Nabers is the best receiver in this talented draft class. The Titans get a legit top receiver for their offense in this mock draft.”
Eric Galko, CBS Sports: OT JC Latham, Alabama
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Galko: “The Titans could definitely still take a receiver here despite signing Calvin Ridley, but adding a premiere left tackle will pay more short-term dividends for Will Levis heading into year two. Latham is likely to be the second tackle off the board.”
Paul Kuharsky (via LA Times): WR Malik Nabers, LSU
SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
Kuharsky: “The Titans have to find a starting left tackle in this draft and they lack a third-rounder from their 2023 trade up to select Will Levis. But in this scenario, the explosive Nabers is too good to pass up as a weapon for Levis and piece of Brian Callahan’s new offense. With Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins, they will be as dangerous as they’ve been at WR since the 1999 reinvention as the Titans.”
Read all the best Titans coverage at The Tennessean and Titans Wire.
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