PFF names ideal scenario for Tennessee Titans to upgrade tight end position

The Tennessee Titans don't have a choice this offseason — they absolutely have to address the tight end position. Tennessee's top three tight ends from last season — Anthony Firkser, Geoff Swaim, and MyCole Pruitt — are all set to be free agents when the new league year begins next week. I think at least […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans don't have a choice this offseason — they absolutely have to address the tight end position.

Tennessee's top three tight ends from last season — Anthony Firkser, Geoff Swaim, and MyCole Pruitt — are all set to be free agents when the new league year begins next week.

I think at least one of those tight ends returns to the Titans in 2022. But they'll still have to add a starting-caliber tight end either through free agency or the 2022 NFL Draft.

Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus took a look at the ways all 32 NFL teams can improve their biggest need this offseason (trade, free agency, or draft).

PFF identified tight end as Tennessee's biggest need. And they think they should address that need via the draft. Specifically in the third round of the draft by selecting Colorado State tight end Trey McBride with the No. 90 overall pick.

From PFF:

The draft is a must for the cap-strapped Titans. There are a lot of competent tight ends in this year's class — but not a lot of high-end guys. We may not see more than a couple of guys go on Day 2, which would bode well for Tennessee. The ideal scenario would be Colorado State’sTrey McBride at Pick No. 90. He can do everything they’d ask him to do from a blocking perspective and was the highest-graded receiving tight end in the FBS last year.

Titans
Colorado State senior tight end Trey McBride carries the football during a game against Nevada on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins.Ftc 1127 Ja Csu Nevada Fball 011 Titans

This would be a nice selection for the Titans, but I don't think it would do much for the team in 2022. McBride's prospect grade, via Next Gen Stats, is 6.31. That puts him as an eventual plus starter — essentially not quite a Pro-Bowl level player (and it could take a couple of years to get to the plus starter level). That feels about right for a third-round pick.

I like the idea of the Titans drafting McBride, but they need to pair him with a veteran free agent tight end like Tyler Conklin or Maxx Williams.

We'll start to see how the Titans' offseason plans play out next week when the free agent frenzy begins.

Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Related Articles