USAT: Titans Wire audio clip

USAT: Titans Wire

Feb 19, 2022

The Tennessee Titans going with an EDGE in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft has been a trendy go-to for draft experts this offseason, but we remain steadfast in our opinion that such a selection is highly unlikely. - In his latest mock draft for Draft Wire, Luke Easterling has the Titans taking Minnesota edge rusher Boye Mafe at No. 26 overall. Here’s his take: - “Even if the Titans are able to re-sign Harold Landry, they could still use a younger edge rusher on the opposite side if Bud Dupree can’t be counted on long-term. Mafe backed up his impressive film with a dominant week of practice at the Senior Bowl, launching him into the first-round conversation.” - As we’ve said many times before, the only way the Titans are taking an edge rusher this early is if Harold Landry leaves in free agency, something we don’t expect to happen. - Yes, Dupree had a rough first season in Nashville as Easterling notes, but he did finish the campaign strong, and he’s going to get at least another year to right the ship before the Titans even start to think about moving on. - Instead of going with an edge rusher at No. 26 overall, the Titans would be better served targeting a position of need on offense, like at tackle, guard, wide receiver or tight end. - Easterling does have Tennessee addressing its need at tight end in this mock, though. He selects Coastal Carolina tight end Isaiah Likely for the Titans in the third round. - After having a trio of one-dimensional tight ends in 2021, Likely would give Tennessee the well-rounded, every-down player at the position they need. - Likely is a talented pass-catcher who possesses the speed to get vertical in the passing game, but he has also received praise for his blocking skills. - From the The Draft Network: - “Likely is a highly effective blocker and at Coastal Carolina, they put him in multiple positions to execute key blocks. At times they aligned him at H-back and put him in motion to become the lead blocker on run plays and he does this effectively. When he is aligned at receiver, they threw receiver screens from the bunch formation and made him the blocker in charge of flushing the point man out of the play.” - While we’re certainly on board with the Likely pick, we’d prefer the Titans go in a different direction in the first round than what Easterling has them doing here. - - RelatedPFF names Titans' Ben Jones the most underrated FA at centerTitans' David Long reflects on 2021 season, how he can improveTitans' Kristian Fulton reveals he had shoulder surgery - - List - - Where can the Titans help Ryan Tannehill the most? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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.

F i l t e r   &   S o r t