Titans fans should not jump to conclusions about the No. 7 overall NFL Draft pick despite rumblings
INDIANAPOLIS — The Tennessee Titans have the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. A franchise that has not selected that high in the order since taking wide receiver Corey Davis at No. 5 in 2017 is in desperate need of a talent infusion. Whether the choice will be between a wide receiver […]
INDIANAPOLIS — The Tennessee Titans have the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. A franchise that has not selected that high in the order since taking wide receiver Corey Davis at No. 5 in 2017 is in desperate need of a talent infusion.
Whether the choice will be between a wide receiver or a left tackle seems to be at the top of everyone's minds this offseason.
Tennessee needs both positions addressed in free agency and the upcoming draft. Coach Brian Callahan's appearance on 104.5 The Zone live at the annual scouting combine on Tuesday seems to have fans convinced a skill player will be the choice. It would fly in the face of a seemingly obvious decision.
A Titans offensive line allowing quarterbacks to be sacked 64 times in 2023 and grading out with Pro Football Focus' league-worst pass blocking efficiency rating (74.5) should take the opportunity to add the best left tackle available, right? How GM Ran Carthon fills some of those gaps in free agency first will help dictate those decisions. The popular opinion is that a top lineman is still the right call.
Not so fast, my friends.
"I've always felt like today's offenses, I think you still have to protect the quarterback," Callahan said on 104.5 The Zone. "But, to score points, you have to have guys who can score points. I've always felt that. I've always believed that. It doesn't mean that we're just automatically going to take a receiver. Philosophically, the more talented receivers that you have, the better chance you have to score points."
The point is: fans should not jump to either conclusion as to what Tennessee will do at No. 7 overall.
Callahan described protection issues for a football team as a "holistic problem." Of course, linemen are at the focal point of protection. A quarterback can always get rid of the ball faster, a skill player can always get in better position either by their own route-running volition or because a coach is adept at scheming open windows for the offense to capitalize.
The Titans ability to keep second-year quarterback Will Levis off the ground is critical, but there are multiple ways that Carthon, Callahan and their respective staffs can address it.
Ran Carthon gets real about rumors of previous friction within Titans brass
INDIANAPOLIS — Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon had an eventful first year on the job. After a 6-11 finish and parting ways with coach Mike Vrabel at year's end, Carthon is focused on the path forward. While Carthon preferred to work in the background, it left him open for plenty of criticism he opted […]
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