The Tennessee Titans were defeated 20-16 by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Saturday’s AFC South title deciding showdown. The 7-10 Titans ended the season on a seven-game losing streak and missed the playoffs. Tennessee’s loss means they’ll officially own the No. 11 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. They would have earned the 10th overall selection had the New Orleans Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but slid to 11th following Carolina’s victory.
NFL franchises with the 11th overall selection have fared well over the previous five seasons. Saints rookie wide receiver Chris Olave just enjoyed a 1,000-yard rookie campaign. In 2021, the 11th overall selection was Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, who nearly the set the single-season rushing record among quarterbacks this season.
The 11th overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft was Mekhi Becton, who’s failed to develop into a franchise left tackle for the New York Jets. In 2019, the Cincinnati Bengals selected fellow offensive tackle Jonah Williams And finally, the 11th overall selection in 2018 was three-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
The Titans will enter the draft with several needs all over their offense. The new general manager will fill some of those requirements via free agency, but they’ll need to locate some immediate contributors via the draft. Left tackle, interior offensive linemen, wide receiver and even quarterback are all potential targets.
Ironically enough, offensive tackles, wide receivers and quarterbacks have dominated the most recent string of 11th overall selections. Those are some of the Titans’ biggest needs.
Left tackle needs to be a priority. Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr. may be the No. 1 tackle on the board. Titans head coach Mike Vrabel should have terrific intel on Johnson, who hails from Vrabel’s alma mater. Georgia’s Broderick Jones and Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski are alternative options, although the latter may kick inside at the next level.
Things are equally as muddy at wide receiver. This year’s class lacks a bonafide high-end playmaker. TCU’s Quentin Johnston, Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba and USC’s Jordan Addison are the three likeliest receivers to be the first pass-catchers off the board.
The Titans could also consider a quarterback. Ryan Tannehill finished the campaign on season-ending IR after suffering recurring ankle injuries. There’s a trio of first-round quarterbacks that could get drafted within range of Tennessee’s No. 11 overall pick. They are Alabama’s Bryce Young, Kenutcky’s Will Levis and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. The Titans may have to trade up to land one of these would-be targets. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson is a wild-card that is also expected to be a first-round selection.
Unfortunately for the Titans, this draft doesn’t appear particularly strong at their biggest needs, which is receiver and tackle. The incoming general manager will be tasked with navigating through these difficulties. Recent league-wide history suggests the Titans should draft a quality player.
