Titans trade up in latest NFL mock draft from ESPN insider, continue 'aggressive' offseason
The Tennessee Titans are not messing around under new head coach Brian Callahan. Tennessee has been extremely aggressive this offseason, signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley, center Lloyd Cushenberry and running back Tony Pollard in NFL free agency, while also adding cornerback L'Jarius Sneed via trade. "We came in with a targeted plan and idea of what […]
The Tennessee Titans are not messing around under new head coach Brian Callahan.
Tennessee has been extremely aggressive this offseason, signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley, center Lloyd Cushenberry and running back Tony Pollard in NFL free agency, while also adding cornerback L'Jarius Sneed via trade.
"We came in with a targeted plan and idea of what we want to do and that started by the pro department and those guys led by Brian Gardner as well as our coaching staff, being able to come in and hit the ground running," Titans GM Ran Carthon said of the team's aggressive free agency moves.
It's obvious that with bold moves like those, the Titans are in a "win-now" mindset and it only makes sense to continue that trend in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft — which is exactly what the latest ESPN mock draft has Tennessee doing.
Titans Continue Aggressive Momentum in ESPN's Latest NFL Mock Draft
ESPN insider Field Yates sees the Titans staying put in the first round at No. 7 overall and selecting their new left tackle in Notre Dame's Joe Alt.
Yates cites left tackle as a "massive need" for the Titans and believes Alt could thrive under offensive line coach Bill Callahan:
"The Titans came into the offseason with a lengthy to-do list but have spent big to upgrade the roster, adding Calvin Ridley, L'Jarius Sneed and Lloyd Cushenberry, among others. But one massive need remains: left tackle. Alt, a 21-year-old former college tight end, would fill that hole in a hurry. He has great length at 6-foot-9 and is a smooth operator who would only get better under the guidance of Bill Callahan, one of the best offensive line coaches in the league. The Titans allowed 64 sacks last season, tied for fourth most in the NFL, so this has to be a priority," – ESPN's Field Yates.
The second round of the draft is where Yates sees the Titans' aggression kick in.
He has the Titans trading up and sending No. 38 and a pair of fourth-rounders (one in 2025) to the Carolina Panthers for No. 33 overall.
Yates notes that the Titans lost out on a third-round pick this year due to their trade up for Will Levis in 2023, however, he points to Tennessee's "win ASAP" mentality to make sense of this trade.
With the No. 33 pick, Yates has the Titans select Missouri edge Darius Robinson.
"Let's continue the aggressive offseason for the Titans with a move up for a player whose tape screams first-round talent. It seems wrong even having Robinson in the second round. He is so physical, quick and versatile, and he had 8.5 sacks last season."
Final Word
The trade and pick couldn't make more sense considering the Titans' edge room isn't the strongest behind Arden Key and Harold Landry III.
Adding an athletic and explosive edge like Robinson would be worth the move up and the young spark that Tennessee's pass rush absolutely needs.
New Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed addresses concerns over previous knee injury with Chiefs
Titans fans will love what Sneed had to say.
