Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
This mock checks all the boxes for the Titans by addressing their four biggest needs, which are wide receiver, tight end, guard and tackle.
Tennessee re-stocks its wide receivers room with Watson and Thornton, both of whom won’t have to step into major roles in Year 1 thanks to the presence of Robert Woods.
Watson gives Tennessee depth on the outside, while also providing a No. 2 wideout of the future opposite A.J. Brown. Thornton is the burner and deep threat this offense needs, and he operates out of the slot.
The picks of Parham and Mitchell shore up the offensive line, as Parham can play guard and Mitchell projects as a left or right tackle. The former excels as a run-blocker and pass protector, and the latter is already polished in pass protection but could use some work as a run-blocker.
Ruckert projects to be a solid two-way tight end at the next level. He’s more than serviceable as a blocker, and his receiving skills are underrated after being buried in Ohio State’s loaded group of pass-catchers.
The only two defensive picks were at cornerback and safety. The idea there is to have an insurance policy for Caleb Farley and to take a swing at replacing Dane Cruikshank, who moved on to the Chicago Bears in free agency.
Jones has great speed to keep up with faster wideouts and is excellent in man coverage. He also has the versatility to play inside and out, giving Tennessee options on how to deploy him.
The Arizona State product, who was a five-star recruit out of college, has a small frame (5-foot-11, 171 pounds) and had some off-the-field issues in college, otherwise he’d likely go higher.
Bell can play deep or in the box and gives Tennessee a potential replacement for Cruikshank in his first season. The Florida A&M product has the makings of a starting safety down the road, so he could be an insurance policy with Amani Hooker hitting free agency in 2023.
