Dale Zanine – USA TODAY Sports
With my first pick, I went ahead and selected one of the wide receivers I would have been tempted to take had I stayed at No. 26 overall.
George Pickens of Georgia is one of the most underrated prospects in this entire draft class. Pickens has some of the strongest ball skills and most reliable hands in this class.
George Pickens’ drop rate is excellent, but combined with a reel of absurd and spectacular catches, he’s special.
The best hands in the draft?pic.twitter.com/Qph96UqMFF
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) April 18, 2022
Pickens also boasts a legitimate speed of 4.4 to 6-foot-3, and he plays the physical brand of football that would fit well with Mike Vrabel and the culture he built in Tennessee.
All aboard the George Pickens hype train 🚂 pic.twitter.com/K1Pmo0dKR9
– PFF (@PFF) April 21, 2022
The Georgia product will immediately give the Titans a terrific trio of wide receivers, with AJ Brown and Robert Woods.
My next pick then went to arguably the best tight end in the entire draft, Trey McBride. The Colorado State product has three-try potential as a blocker and wide receiver.
I thought it wouldn’t be fair to show Trey McBride as a blocker
So here’s a two-minute cut of his receiving chopspic.twitter.com/dxxiHKk2Oz https://t.co/OxmGcbdeRI
— Kendall Mirsky (@MirskyKendall) April 21, 2022
Last season, the Titans ran the majority of their offense off 11 people (three wide receivers) and 12 people (two tight ends). These first two choices guarantee that these packages will be more dynamic and talented.
I wrapped up Day 2 by selecting one of the most athletically fluid inside linemen in this entire class, Cole Strange of Chattanooga.
🚨PRO-DAY UPDATE
Rapid Ascent Day 2 Tennessee-Chattanooga C/G Cole Strange practiced for OL coaches of the Titans, Giants, Panthers and Giants this morning. Strange only did positioning drills after putting up stellar combine numbers (5.03 40 yards, 31x BP, 10-0 BJ, 7.44 3C).📈💤 pic.twitter.com/rjIXBPZNrC— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 31, 2022
Cole Strange is having a great week pic.twitter.com/KyRAqvsnqN
—Billy M (@BillyM_91) February 3, 2022
Strange would instantly join the starting competition at left guard with Jamarco Jones and Aaron Brewer, which ideally would also allow 2021 second-round pick Dillon Radunz to focus solely on the right tackle.
I then started Day 3 by giving the Titans a third running back with more upside than Dontrell Hilliard. Despite his limited athleticism, many believe Kyren Williams has the best mix of pass protection, running and pass catching abilities of any running back in this class.
You could make a mixtape out of Kyren Williams blocking out the highlights alone. He has that dog in him. pic.twitter.com/691wODT8eR
— Kenny G. (@Gritz_Blitz) March 2, 2022
The Notre Dame product also offers a legitimate advantage as a runner and could become a complete three-way running back with proper guidance and patience.
I then went ahead and drafted an athletic offensive lineman with a massive 7-foot-1 wingspan who topped his level of competition in Matt Waletzko. The North Dakota product has all the features you are looking for in project equipment. He’s worth it there in Round 5.
In a league that values tools above anything else these days, too many people are still sleeping on North Dakota’s Matt Waletzko. @matt_waletzko has a rare span (85 6/8 wingspan was the longest at @seniorbowl) and quietly had a great combine with 5.03 dashes from 40 yards, 30.0 VJ and 9-5 BJ. 📈💤 pic.twitter.com/syauc5ko0l
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) March 17, 2022
I concluded the draft by adding two players in Round 6 who could contribute to special teams and offense or defense.
Tyquan Thornton is a dynamic athlete whose speed and versatility would be invaluable to the Titans’ wide receiver and special teams units as a potential returner.
#BaylorTyquan Thornton is the fastest WR in the 2022 draft class (4.28) and has the length of 6’2 to threaten as a full outside WR.
Check the 📽️ below: hand strength to finish and exceptional red zone ability, while showing game speed matches ⏱️speed. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/AHqliLHONP
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) April 20, 2022
Finally, I give the Titans a physical presence on defense and on the special teams they can develop.
Smoke Monday is as complete a security as there is 😤
In 2021, he was the only SEC Safety with 77+ Grades in…
🔸 Run Defense (78.2)
🔸 Rush Pass (78.2)
🔸 Cover (77.0) pic.twitter.com/teaTVL66YB— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) February 6, 2022
Smoke Monday is an enthusiast who sets the tone in the running game, and with the Titans being in the same division as Jonathan Taylor, it’s a good idea to have someone who can physically enforce things in the box.
Plus, as a bonus, Monday has the coolest name in the draft and his addition would continue the Titans’ recent trend of picking players with cool names in the sixth round, like Brady Breeze and Racey McMath.
