Insider says don’t rule out Titans going WR with No. 7 overall pick

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/23/24

The consensus among many scouts, draft experts and mock drafters is that the Tennessee Titans will take Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt with the No. 7 overall pick in Thursday’s 2024 NFL Draft.

However, during the latest episode of “The Athletic Football Show,” NFL insider Dianna Russini mentioned there’s another position the Titans are considering — one she wouldn’t be at all surprised they went after given where the team's first-year head coach Brian Callahan came from.

“You have an offensive-minded head coach that comes from Cincinnati,” Russini said. “We know how they built that team, we know what that team looks like on offense. This Titans team could use another wide receiver. I do know it’s an option. I do know it’s something that they’re discussing, it’s up on the board, they’ve don’t tons of homework on it and I would not be surprised if they decide to go that way.”

Callahan was the offensive coordinator of the Bengals in 2021 when they drafted wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase No. 5 overall. At the time, the Bengals desperately needed a left tackle to protect Joe Burrow, and they were even linked to Oregon’s Penei Sewell, who went two picks later to the Detroit Lions.

Cincy elected to get Burrow a game-changing weapon to throw to instead, a move that looks pretty good in hindsight (Chase won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 and he’s a three-time Pro Bowler).

If Tennessee does go WR in Round 1, it could address its tackle need with the No. 38 overall pick in Round 2. Potential options there could be Arizona’s Jordan Morgan, BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia, Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton, Washington’s Roger Rosengarten or Houston’s Patrick Paul.

With quarterbacks expected to go with the first four picks, there’s a chance the Titans could have a shot at either Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. or LSU’s Malik Nabers depending on what direction the Los Angeles Chargers, who pick fifth, and New York Giants, who pick sixth, decide to go.

Both teams could use a No. 1 WR but also have needs on the offensive line. Alt has been linked to the Chargers over the last few weeks, and the Giants could be eyeing a QB if one falls past the first four picks.

If Harrison Jr. or Nabers is still on the board (or if the team likes Washington's Rome Odunze), it may be too hard for the Titans to pass up giving second-year QB Will Levis another weapon to throw to.

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