Updated Tennessee Titans mock draft after 2024 NFL Scouting Combine
NASHVILLE — With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview, it’s time we look ahead to April’s NFL Draft and where things stand for the Tennessee Titans. Titans GM Ran Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan, who have the seventh overall pick in their first draft together, both spoke to the media in Indianapolis […]
NASHVILLE — With the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in the rearview, it’s time we look ahead to April’s NFL Draft and where things stand for the Tennessee Titans.
Titans GM Ran Carthon and head coach Brian Callahan, who have the seventh overall pick in their first draft together, both spoke to the media in Indianapolis and discussed the team’s biggest needs.
After hearing the Titans brass and speaking to people from around the NFL in Indy, here’s my updated seven-round mock draft for the Tennessee Titans.
Round 1, Pick 7 – WR Rome Odunze, Washington
This was a close call for me between Odunze and former LSU Tigers wide receiver Malik Nabers. It ultimately came down to Odunze being more likely to still be on the board at 7.
Many people around the league believe that the Titans will have their choice of WR2 at pick seven with only Marvin Harrison Jr. going before them. The New York Giants are a dark horse to draft a quarterback with the sixth pick or trade out, either scenario would leave both Nabers and Odunze available for Tennessee.
But the Titans would need a lot to go right for that to come to fruition.
Head coach Brian Callahan said in his media availability that when all things are equal, he prefers players who score touchdowns. Reading between the lines of other comments made by Callahan and Carthon leads me to believe a wide out is the most logical choice here. Who better than college football's leader in receiving yards from last season?
I’ll say the Titans roll the dice on the offensive line depth in this draft class and grab Odunze to be the playmaker Will Levis needs.
Round 2, Pick 38 – OT Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Former BYU Cougars offensive tackle Kingsley Suamataia is the OT9 on the consensus big board and someone that continues to impress me in the predraft process. He is the cousin of Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell.
Suamataia's 40-yard dash time was the 5th best and his 31 reps on the bench press was 1st among tackles at the combine. He is a well-rounded athlete that has experience as both a boxer and dancer, which allows him to remain light on his feet.
Need more proof? How's this video of a 326 pound man jumping out of a pool?
I think the Titans swing big at receiver in the first round and take a gamble on an offensive tackle with upside at pick 38. Both Ran Carthon and Brian Callahan brought up the experience of offensive line coach Bill Callahan during their media availability, so perhaps the Titans feel confident they can develop Suamataia and get a steal.
It helps that he has experience at both tackle positions, is ambidextrous, and doesn't seem to have much preference about playing left tackle or right tackle at the next level. That opens up options for how to fix the offensive line in Tennessee.
Round 4, Pick 107 – CB Max Melton, Rutgers
The Titans would be fortunate if Max Melton is still on the board at the beginning of Day 3, let alone when they are on the clock with the 107th overall pick. But as we know, the draft is unpredictable and impossible to predict, so I’ll say they get lucky here and land the consensus CB14 in the 4th round.
Melton has recorded eight interceptions over the last three seasons at Rutgers. He's experience both inside and outside, has great length, and ran a 4.39 40-yard dash. Melton also led all cornerbacks in the broad jump at the combine, posting an incredible 11'4".
With Sean Murphy-Bunting and Kristian Fulton both about to hit free agency, the Titans need to add a cornerback that can run with wide receivers and provide some versatility. Melton would be that guy at pick 107 if he's still available.
Round 5, Pick 145 – WR Jacob Cowing, Arizona
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jacob Cowing was one of eight players in Division-I FBS college football to catch at least 13 touchdowns in 2023. He was one of six to do so playing in a Power-5 conference.
At 5'8" and 168 pounds, Cowing projects best as a slot receiver in the NFL. But after running a 4.38 in the 40 at the combine and proving he has elite speed, I like his chances to make an impact at the next level.
Cowing is the WR24 and 141st best player on the consensus big board. He’s not likely to get picked before Day 3.
After hearing Brian Callahan and Ran Carthon speak at the combine, I think it’s likely the Titans come away from this year's draft with more than one wide receiver. If Rome Odunze joins DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks as perimeter options, adding a separator like Cowing in the slot would be a wise move.
Round 6, Pick 184 – S Malik Mustapha, Wake Forest
The Titans add another piece to their secondary here with Malik Mustapha, a safety out of Wake Forest that recorded 80 tackles in 2023.
Mustapha did not run the 40 at the combine, but led all safeties in the bench press, which was the only workout he did.
Mustapha would give the Titans some needed depth at safety behind Amani Hooker, Elijah Molden, and a potential free agent signing.
Round 7, Pick 219 – CB Kamal Hadden, Tennessee
When I spoke with Kamal Hadden at the combine in Indianapolis, he said that whatever team drafts him this April is getting “a playmaker.” After all, he had three interceptions including a pick six for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2023.
Hadden’s 92.4 PFF Grade in single coverage was the best among FBS cornerbacks in 2023.
He is the CB26 and 217th ranked player on the consensus big board. It would tremendous value in the seventh round.
Round 7, Pick 225 – RB Carson Steele, UCLA
I think Tennessee could be in the market for a running back during the later rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, and I’d like to see them add a player that compliments Tyjae Spears well.
We know that Spears has tremendous quickness and agility. He’s elusive, has phenomenal acceleration, can run routes, and is an above-average pass protector. So what attributes could compliment him? How about a powerful, compact runner that’s difficult to tackle one-on-one.
UCLA’s Carson Steele is 225 pounds and was labeled by Bruce Feldman as “one of the strongest backs in college football.” He is rumored to bench press up to 450 lbs. and squat up to 685 lbs.
Round 7, Pick 240 – LB Steele Chambers, Ohio State
Steele Chambers is a former running back that now has three years of starting experience at inside linebacker.
As you might expect from a former running back, Chambers plays with tremendous speed. Of the linebackers that participated at the NFL Combine, Chambers was the leader in the 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drill. He also has good instincts against the run that helped him record 83 tackles.
The Titans need some help at inside linebacker, but at the very least, Chamber could be a productive special teams player.
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