USAT: Titans Wire audio clip

USAT: Titans Wire

Feb 10, 2022

- - - In the latest mock draft from Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling, the Tennessee Titans select a tight end and edge rusher with their first two picks in the 2022 NFL draft. - Of course, the Titans don’t have a second-round pick this year because of the trade for wide receiver Julio Jones. Here’s what Easterling had to say about the selection of Colorado State tight end Trey McBride in the first round. - “This offense obviously runs through Derrick Henry, but the passing game was sorely missing Jonnu Smith in 2021. McBride cemented himself at the Senior Bowl as this year’s top prospect at the position, and would give the Titans and immediate upgrade.” - If not for injuries, the blow of losing Jonnu Smith wouldn’t have been as significant, as the team didn’t utilize him nearly enough when he was in Tennessee. - However, that doesn’t change the fact that the Titans need to upgrade the position with a player who can assume an every-down role, something McBride appears capable of doing. - For more on McBride, we turn to The Draft Network’s Drae Harris, who notes the Colorado State product has the make-up of a solid blocker, on top of having the receiving chops. - “Trey is a 4th year Senior who aligns at TE for the Rams offense. He is a good athlete with regards to agility and movement skills. In the run game, he’s not an over powering inline blocker but he plays with physical toughness at the point of attack. In the passing game he has excelled as the primary receiving target for that offense. He does a good job uncovering and plays with sufficient straight line speed. His football instincts makes him effective against zone defenses.  He displays good, strong hands to make catches away from his frame. He has enjoyed success as the primary target on offense and has been extremely productive. On 3rd downs, he is a versatile asset that displays the skill set to align at H, FB, TE or Y. His toughness, speed and agility projects him well as a core special teams player.” - In 2021, the 6-foot-4, 260-pound prospect tallied career-highs in catches (90) and receiving yards (1,121), but only found pay dirt once. McBride did find the end zone in the 2022 Senior Bowl, and finished with two catches for 12 yards. - In the third round, Easterling has the Titans taking Penn State edge rusher Arnold Ebiketie. Here’s more information on him, per Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network. - “He has good explosiveness off the line, as well as great bend and mobility. On top of that, Ebiketie has a strong frame with dangerous length, and has shown he can tie it all together with power and quick, aggressive hand usage. - “Ebiketie can still refine his game — namely, his balance and timing. Nevertheless, he isn’t lacking in any physical department. Able to play standing up or from one-point and two-point stances, Ebiketie has the proven production, all-around ability, and modest scheme versatility to be a popular option in the early-to-mid Day 2 range.” - Ebiketie had a great season in 2021, finishing with 9.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, while also forcing a pair of fumbles. - While we like the player, the Titans taking an edge rusher this year isn’t likely unless Harold Landry flies the coop in free agency, which we don’t think will happen. - If Landry returns, the Titans will have him, Bud Dupree and Rashad Weaver as their top three edge rushers, leaving them in good enough shape that they can target other positions. - We wouldn’t rule out them taking one, but chances are such a selection would come later than the third round. - - RelatedWarren Moon: Titans can win a Super Bowl with Ryan TannehillFull list of players invited to 2022 NFL Scouting CombineTitans' A.J. Brown explains why 2021 was his best season - - List - - Twitter reacts to Titans signing Vrabel, Robinson to contract extensions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Titans Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Titans Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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