Mock Draft Monday: Projecting the Titans 2024 draft class

I foresee a scenario where the Titans are left with a difficult decision to make with the 7th overall pick. If three quarterbacks go at the top of the draft, Tennessee is likely to be choosing between an elite left tackle talent with Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu and a top tier wide receiver like Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze.

I’ll remind you that Brian Callahan has been faced with that same dilemma before when the Cincinnati Bengals opted to select Ja'Marr chase instead of Penei Sewell seventh overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Of course, these situations are not mirror images of one another, but it will be curious to see if that philosophy carries over.

There is a lot of depth at offensive tackle in this draft class. Eight offensive tackles fall within the Top 32 players on the consensus big board, which is up from the five from the 2023 draft class.

With that in mind, I’ll say Tennessee attempts to kill two birds with one stone by taking a tackle at 38. They grab an instantly impactful wide out in Malik Nabers instead, who had 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns last year for LSU.

R2, P38: Patrick Paul, OT Houston

With wide receiver taken care of, the Titans get their offensive tackle at 38 in Houston Cougars left tackle Patrick Paul. Brian Callahan described what he was looking for in an offensive linemen during his introductory press conference by saying he wanted guys with length and physically that can anchor in pass protection.

Paul comes from an air raid offense at Houston in which he started 44 games at left tackle. He is 6-foot-7, 333 pounds, and has arms longer than 36 inches. He’s physical and competitive. Chippy at times. He’s not afraid of contact and his boxing background helps both his hand-eye coordination and footwork.

Paul struggles with his hand placement and can be guilty of playing too upright at times. That flaw in his technique leaves him susceptible to getting beat by bull rushes, but there’s so much to work with here.

Currently slotted at 42 on the consensus big board and the OT10, I think there’s a reasonable shot Paul is available for Tennessee at 38. Maybe he’s someone the Titans are excited to have Bill Callahan work with and develop into their future left tackle. Count me in for taking this swing.

R4, P:106: Cam Hart, CB Notre Dame

Cornerback is another position group in this draft class that has depth that will last until the middle rounds. It’s a huge need for the Titans, who may lose both Kristian Fulton and Sean Murphy-Bunting in free agency. But of the three primary Titans draft needs (OL, WR, CB), I think they’re most likely to wait on a corner until pick 106.

I’ve got my eyes on Notre Dame cornerback Cam Hart here, who impressed me at the Senior Bowl in Mobile with his length and footwork. Hart came in at 6-foot-2 and 204 pounds last week with 32.5 inch arms. That’s elite size and essentially the same measurements as Patrick Surtain II.

Hart’s capable of running with receivers down the field and is patient at the line of scrimmage. He’s smooth, but some think his lack of technique will lead to him getting flagged with regularity at the next level. At the very least, I have confidence he can be a competent corner in man coverage that is a physical tackler against the run. That fills a need for the Titans in 2024 and would make a productive draft selection at 106 overall.

R5 P144: Javon Foster, OT Missouri

This last in the draft, you’re taking a shot on upside with any offensive tackle selection. The Titans have a lot of holes to fill on the offensive line, and adding depth needs to be a priority for the organization both now and in the future. Missouri’s Javon Foster has the frame and athletic gifts to develop into a swing tackle in the NFL and could be a developmental piece for Tennessee that's available in the fifth round.

Foster came in at 6-foot-5 and 309 pounds at the Senior Bowl last week and while he has played his entire collegiate career at left tackle, he probably profiles better as a right tackle at the next level. Physicality is his calling card, but he’s got a lot of work to do on his footwork.

But as I said earlier, at pick 144 you’re taking a chance on upside and tools. Foster has that in spades. The more darts the Titans throw at the dartboard, the better chance they have of hitting a bullseye on the offensive line.

R6 P184: Jaylin Simpson, S Auburn

Jaylin Simpson is a former cornerback that made the transition to safety for the Auburn Tigers and steadily improved throughout his college career. As a fifth-year senior in 2023, Simpson recorded four interceptions and held opposing quarterbacks to a 51.0 QB rating when targeted.

His length is a big plus, and his background as a corner comes in handy while covering downfield. He can track the football well and matchup with tight ends if needed to. I was consistently impressed with his efforts in 1-on-1 drills at Senior Bowl practices covering wide receivers. Simpson is a ballhawk, but at times that means he gives up big plays after the catch. It also means he gets penalized a lot when aggressively pursuing the football.

The Titans have Amani Hooker at safety and tried to use Elijah Molden back there at times, but it’s definitely a position where they could use a long-term answer. K’Von Wallace is a free agent. Terrell Edmunds is a free agent. Molden is an unrestricted free agent after the 2024 season. Simpson is a former college teammate of Roger McCreary that can have a role on the 2024 Titans and give them an option for a long-term safety plug.

R7 P228: Carson Steele, RB UCLA

Tyjae Spears is the future for the Tennessee Titans in the backfield. But if Derrick Henry is not brought back in free agency, the team has just Spears and Hassan Haskins under contract for the 2024 season.

I think Tennessee could be in the market for a running back during the later rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, and I’d like to see them add a player that compliments Spears’ skillset well. We know that Spears has tremendous quickness and agility. He’s elusive, has phenomenal acceleration, can run routes, and is an above-average pass protector. So what attributes could compliment him? How about a powerful, compact runner that’s difficult to tackle one-on-one.

UCLA’s Carson Steele is 225 pounds and was labeled by Bruce Feldman as “one of the strongest backs in college football.” He is rumored to bench press up to 450 lbs. and squat up to 685 lbs. I think he’s a back that could get to the NFL Combine and turn some heads with his physicality.

The knocks on Steele are related to his pass-protection and lack of get away speed. He may not run away from defenders, but I could see a role for him with the Titans as a short-yardage back that is difficult to tackle, even with a loaded box.