Mock Draft 1.0

Written By Jack Loeb

We are officially on NFL Draft watch. The NFL draft is only 38 days away and with the frenzied throes of free agency in wake it’s time to look forward. The Titans are desperate to reshape their franchise after the past two years of subpar performance. Taking a look briefly at the moves made in free agency there’s glaring needs at: QB, WR, EDGE, and S. The Titans have solidified their starting 5 offensive lineman by adding and paying both Dan Moore Jr. at LT and Kevin Zeitler at RG. Although the Titans added Dre’mont Jones there’s still a need at the Edge position that the Titans desperately need to figure out. Lastly, the additions of Van Jefferson, Xavier Woods, and Brandon Allen does very little to assuage the concerns at QB, WR, and S. Barring that in mind here’s my first mock draft using PFF’s Mock Draft Simulator:

*If you want the abbreviated version scroll down to the bottom*

1st Overall: Cam Ward QB Miami

It’s no secret that the Titans are in need of a QB. Pundits a month earlier were expecting a trade of the #1 pick, primarily to the Giants. In this instance that’s off the table. The Titans are in desperate need of a franchise QB and Ward has some serious shades of McNair to his game. Which is fitting because it would be exactly 30 years since the Titans drafted McNair in 1995 to be their franchise QB. Ward is basically the consensus top QB in this draft and he’s worthy of the first overall pick. It’s really just that simple for the Titans.

49th Overall: J.T. Tuimoloau Edge Ohio State

In Mike Borgonzi’s introductory press conference he stated, "I would love to have 30 picks over the next three years and 12 of those picks come from the top 100…” The Titans get closer to that goal here. The Bengals sent picks 49 and 81 for the 35th overall pick. When making the trade the top WR’s on the board were Bech and Noel. In addition, only Landon Jackson of Arkansas was available at 35. In this scenario the idea to trade down and grab a 3rd round pick make plenty of sense. Thus, J.T. Tuimoloau was the pick. Tuimoloau was a phenomenal player for the Buckeyes this year racking 12.5 sacks and 2 FF’s. Tuimoloau would more than likely start at Edge or at least be a rotational player that gets more snaps than Key by the time the year ends.

81st Overall: Tre Harris WR Ole Miss

Harris was by far the best WR available at this spot. The Titans are in need of weapons outside of Calvin Ridley. Right now the Titans top two receivers are Calvin Ridley and Van Jefferson — that’s putrid. Harris has elite YAC ability and contetest catch rate. He only played 8 games last year due to injury, but Harris is a WR who has the talent and past production to justify as a second round pick. However, he ends up falling to the third round and now he should find a number of targets this year as the second best option for Ward. I’m not going to jinx it…but I think you know.

102nd Overall: Quandarrius Robinson Edge Alabama

There’s no shame in double dipping and that’s exactly what I did here. Robinson had elite pass rush grades from PFF. In terms of winning one on one he did so in spades. At 6’5 241lbs he brings elite height and weight to the position as well. His best trait is his speed off the edge. He’ll need some refinement in the NFL to add more nuance to his game but he’s a good prospect that should go in this range.

119th Overall: Cobee Bryant CB Kansas

The Titans recently released Chidobe Awuzie. The Titans overall plan probably isn’t to add a high round pick on Corner. However, with the ascension of Brownlee Jr. and Baker Jr. Awuzie became expendable. Bryant was a very solid player for the Jayhawks last year. He had 4 interceptions last year, 2 TD’s (6 in his 3 year career), and allowed a 62.7 passer rating when targeted. He’s extremely feisty and reminds me a bit of Cortland Finnegan. He can come in and play in certain spots and earn his way through special teams

142nd Overall: Pat Bryant WR Illinois

Remember how I like to double-dip. Well, this is no different. The Titans are so bereft at WR talent they take another shot with Pat Bryant. The Junior Fighting Illini had a breakout season last year as he gained 984 yards on 54 receptions for a whopping 18.2 ypc and 10 TDs. Bryant is 6’2 205 which is a solid target for Ward. Bryant plays hard and he looks and sounds like an all-around solid player that you’d want on your football team.

168th Overall: Kyle McCord QB Syracuse

Yes, another double-dip. At this point it was too good an option to pass up. McCord could end up being nothing more than a camp body that ends up getting protected on the practice squad. But in a league of “you either have a QB or you don’t” you need to exercise all options. Will Levis may very well be traded during or shortly after the draft depending on what happens on draft night. It may even be the best thing for him in the long term. However, McCord had an all-time great season for Syracuse last year with 4760 with 34 TDs and 12 INTs. McCord is one of the best deep ball throwers in the draft and all of college football last year according to PFF. He still needs some refinement on the finer aspects of being a QB but if Brian Callahan can help develop McCord he should be a serviceable backup.

179th Overall: Tyler Cooper Guard Minnesota

The Titans can still use some depth along the offensive line and Tyler Cooper was the BPA available for that at 179. Cooper is 6’6 310lb guard who played nearly 600 snaps and allowed 3 sacks and 7 hurries all season.

241st Overall: Orande Gadsden II TE Syracuse

The Titans have Chig Okonkwo for now but with his contract coming up next year it’s no guarantee that he’ll be the Titans starter in 2025. Gadsden was the BPA at TE. Gadsden was extremely productive and was the beneficiary of McCord’s meteoric rise in 2024. Gadsden gained 934 yards on 73 receptions for 7 TD’s. That’s very solid production at 241. Gadsden can come in and compete with Whyle for time and could end up activated if he can play well enough on special teams.

Jack Loeb https://twitter.com/jakjack91
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