NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since the 2022 season came to a close.

The 34-year-old veteran discussed everything from his offseason training habits to the recent moves made by Tennessee in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Titans added rookie QB Will Levis with the 33rd overall pick, but did not draft a wide receiver until pick 228 when they selected UT Martin's Colton Dowell.

Tannehill was asked about his feelings on the Titans' draft and the team not drafting a wide receiver in the early rounds.

"As a quarterback, there's two areas you'd like to see improve and that's the O-line and wide receiver," Tannehill said on Wednesday. But only one of those two needs would actually be addressed throughout the offseason and the NFL Draft.

Tennessee signed a pair of versatile veterans in Andre Dillard and Daniel Brunskill to fill starting spots on the offensive line, and selected Northwestern's Peter Skoronski with the 11th overall pick in the draft. As long as the group is able to stay healthy, the Titans' offensive line should be much improved in 2023 from the group that finished the regular season last year. 

The same thing cannot be said about wide receiver. Robert Woods, who was Tennessee's leader in targets, catches, and receiving yards in 2022, signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, the Titans' only wide receiver addition in free agency was 29-year-old Chris Moore. 

It seemed safe to assume that receiver would be a point of emphasis for Ran Carthon, Mike Vrabel, and the Titans during the draft. But surprisingly, Tennessee's front office would not draft a receiver until the seventh-round. 

You can include Tannehill in the group of people who were expecting to see the Titans draft a receiver in the earlier rounds. "They don't ask me my thoughts on draft picks. Mike and Ran get to make those decisions," Tannehill said. "Obviously I knew it was an area that could be addressed, but they did, just a little bit probably later than I thought it was going to. But we added some other key positions, some talent that'll help us across the board."

Ryan Tannehill says the #Titans addressed wide receiver “a little later than he though they were going to” in the draft. pic.twitter.com/8eIlcoapfm

— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) May 3, 2023

An improved offensive line is bound to help Tannehill out in more ways than one in 2023. Having time to throw and an improved run game are the obvious ones, but Tannehill's health is also paramount to Tennessee's success next season. Being sacked 33 times in 12 games is not a good way to protect your body.

But even with a new and improved group up front, the lack of weapons remains a concern, and nobody could blame Tannehill if he was a bit frustrated with the front office not prioritizing pass catchers. 

This is the final year of Tannehill's contract. Assuming the Titans go in a different direction and have Will Levis take over in 2024, Tannehill is playing this season to earn his next opportunity. It's hard to show what you can do as a passer without the playmaking targets necessary for success. 

"You look at who you got in the room, and that's who it is," Tannehill said on Wednesday. "So I'm going to have to go out and compete each and every day and we'll see who ends up getting the majority of the time. But definitely guys are going to have to step up just like they are at every position across the board."

I feel good about both Treylon Burks and Chig Okonkwo in 2023, but let's hope Kyle Philips, Racey McMath, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine can take massive leaps forward for the Titans this year. It sounds like the team is banking on that happening.