How Tennessee Titans picks reacted to landing with the team

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans 2022 NFL Draft is in the books. General manager Jon Robinson went into Thursday's first round with five original picks and two compensatory selections. Tennessee turned those seven total draft choices into nine new Titans by the end of Day 3. Robinson's 2022 class was not without drama. Between trading away […]

Buck Reising Tennessee Titans Beat Writer
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Tennessee Titans WR Burks NFL award rookie NFL Draft

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans 2022 NFL Draft is in the books. General manager Jon Robinson went into Thursday's first round with five original picks and two compensatory selections.

Tennessee turned those seven total draft choices into nine new Titans by the end of Day 3.

Robinson's 2022 class was not without drama. Between trading away A.J. Brown and drafting a potential future at quarterback, this group of rookies carries a high level of intrigue. Six players on offense and one on defense comprise the group of drafted players.

We met with each player via Zoom immediately after Tennessee selected them. Here are some of the highlights.

Round 1: WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)

Tennessee Titans first round draft pick wide receiver Treylon Burks, center, speaks with head coach Mike Wrabel, left, and general manager Jon Robinson, right, during an introductory press conference at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, April 29, 2022. Treylonburks 042922 An 006
Tennessee Titans first round draft pick wide receiver Treylon Burks, center, speaks with head coach Mike Wrabel, left, and general manager Jon Robinson, right, during an introductory press conference at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, April 29, 2022.

(on getting a second chance to visit with the Titans)

"Honestly just being in that room, like you said, 18 minutes. Getting questions here, questions there. Not being ready for an answer and not being prepared for it. And then also that kind of put me in a state to where I wasn’t myself. And then being able to come back, honor that second chance. I just wanted to show them who I really am and I’m not that person."

Round 2: CB Roger McCreary (Auburn)

(on how his skillset will fit in with the Titans)

"I feel like I will come in and do great with my skillset because I’m a corner that can play a lot of zone too. I know that I can play the nickel too to fit in the secondary, and I can go out to the corner. So, I feel like it's good that going into the system they want me to play at both positions. I’m looking forward to playing at both positions."

Nov 27, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers cornerback Roger McCreary (23) breaks up a pass intended for Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Traeshon Holden (11) during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium.  Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers cornerback Roger McCreary (23) breaks up a pass intended for Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Traeshon Holden (11) during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Round 3: OT Nicholas Petit-Frere (Ohio State)

(on maintain weight on his body after struggling to do so earlier in his career)

"Coach (Ryan) Day helped me out a lot. It was the whole thing about making sure we're not only going to feed you to get to that weight, we're going to make sure that you're playing on a weight that makes you optimal and that comes from your body weight percentage. I think the highest that I got was 23 percent. I think when I got to the Combine, I was like 18 to 20 percent body fat for an offensive lineman. That's crazy. You know, so I know that I'm going to go to Tennessee, they're going to do the same things that made me bigger, faster, stronger than I ever could even imagine. I just can't wait for it."

Round 3: QB Malik Willis (Liberty)

(on if it will be difficult waiting for his chance to be on the field)

Dec 18, 2021; Mobile, Alabama, USA; Liberty Flames quarterback Malik Willis (7) passes the ball against the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the second quarter during the 2021 LendingTree Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert McDuffie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2021; Mobile, Alabama, USA; Liberty Flames quarterback Malik Willis (7) passes the ball against the Eastern Michigan Eagles in the second quarter during the 2021 LendingTree Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert McDuffie-USA TODAY Sports

"I mean, understanding that it comes with it. Ryan Tannehill is a great player and he's a great leader for this organization. I just want to come in and just do all I can in order to get better at my craft. Whenever that time comes for me to get on the field, then that time will come. But until then, I'm just going to try to learn and be the best teammate that I can be."

Round 4: RB Hassan Haskins (Michigan)

(on how the downhill rushing style at Michigan prepared him for what the Titans like to do)

"Yeah, we would do a lot of power schemes and stuff like that. Downhill run, that is my game. I can do it all, but I feel like it's the best part of my game. I’m trying to run downhill, run through your face and get those yards. All of those yards count."

Round 4: TE Chig Okonkwo (Maryland)

Sep 7, 2019; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (9) runs with the ball as Syracuse Orange defensive back Eric Coley (34) tackles during the first quarter at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2019; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo (9) runs with the ball as Syracuse Orange defensive back Eric Coley (34) tackles during the first quarter at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

(on comparing himself to former Titans tight end Jonnu Smith at the combine)

"Jonnu was one of the guys that I like to watch throughout college. That's cause he's a 6-2 guy, just like me. He's one of the guys I like to pattern my game after. His play style is very physical. He's very good with the ball in his hands. I feel like I'm the same way. I feel like I'm very physical. I'm not afraid to stick my head in there. He's very strong after the catch. That's definitely some of the similarities that people see between me and him."

Round 5: WR Kyle Philips (UCLA)

(on which current NFL receivers he likes to watch work)

"I have four main ones. Cole Beasley and Hunter Renfrow in the slot, how they run routes. I love how intentional they are with their stems, eyes, head movement, all that stuff. Next, Keenan Allen. At the top of his route, he's got a little skip step that he freezes the DBs with. I've been able to add that to my game and I love that a lot. Lastly would be Davante Adams with his release package. I really love his split release, so I've been able to add that to my game a little bit."

Nov 27, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA;    UCLA Bruins wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the California Golden Bears in the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the California Golden Bears in the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Round 6: DB Theo Jackson (Tennessee)

(on growing up in Nashville, playing for the University of Tennessee and getting drafted by the Titans)

"I'm going through so many emotions right now. It's the best feeling to grow up in Nashville, go to school at Tennessee and then come back home for pro ball. I can't even think of the words to say right now. I'm so excited, so eager to get to work."

Round 6: LB Chance Campbell (Ole Miss)

(on how he'll try to better his chances of making an NFL roster)

"I think that the deal there is just carving out a niche and providing value. I'm just going to try and work hard and out the team first. When you do those things, just put your head down and do things, do whatever is asked of you to the best of your abilities, things will work out the way that they are supposed to."

Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports