2021 Titans Mock Draft: Potential Selections for Tennessee

With nine picks in the draft, Tennessee will be all over the place throughout. After gaining an additional compensatory pick in the third round, Tennessee currently has four selections in the top 101. This is great news for a team that is looking to reload for another playoff run next season. 

Additionally, the front office also acquired a seventh-round selection after trading away Isaiah Wilson to the Miami Dolphins. Tennessee needs a wide receiver and a cornerback. The front office is bound to be selecting at least one in the position this offseason. With that said, here is the 2021 Titans mock draft. 

2021 Titans Mock Draft

Round One | Pick 22 | Rashod Bateman | WR | Minnesota

Rashod Bateman enters the draft as one of the best receivers available. Coming out of Minnesota, the wide receiver proved you don’t need to attend a top school to catch the NFL’s attention. During 2020, Bateman only played five games due to COVID-19 complications for the team. He was on pace to finish with 94 receptions, 1,227 receiving yards, and five touchdowns. 

Tennessee needs a receiver after choosing to opt-out on one of the top targets in free agency. Bateman makes sense as the first pick for the Titans mock draft, as he’d be an excellent number two receiver for this roster. He’d be a great sidekick to AJ Brown, and he has the size, speed, and durability to be another outside target for Ryan Tannehill. 

Bateman’s ability after the catch is noticeable too and matches the Titans scheme perfectly. They like to work through Derrick Henry until the defense respects the run, then pass the ball downfield for the big play. AJ Brown has feasted with underneath tosses, and Bateman has the tools to do so too. He has the potential to make an immediate impact the same way Brown did his rookie year. This should be considered a great selection for the Titans mock draft.

Round Two | Pick 53 | Elijah Molden| CB | Washington

After securing the main team need in the first round, Tennessee will be addressing the second biggest need with pick 53 in the Titans mock draft. The team might miss out on Jaycee Horn, who seems to be rising draft boards lately. However, the Titans have a great chance to land one of the best man-to-man cornerbacks in Elijah Molden. 

Coming out of Washington, Molden has had an impressive collegiate career. Similar to Bateman, Molden didn’t get to showcase his skills too much due to the coronavirus. However, through four games, Molden was on pace for 68 solo tackles, three pass deflections, and three interceptions. 

He’s an aggressive corner that goes after the ball and seems to be a leader for the Huskies. He claims he relies on his instincts more than anything and has a feel for the game. If Molden has that high of a football IQ, then Tennessee could be walking away with a steal. Molden is a solid selection to boost the secondary, which is why he’s taken in the second round of the Titans mock draft. 

Round Three | Pick 86 | Brevin Jordan | TE | Miami

It was disappointing to see Jonnu Smith leave Tennessee, but after seeing what the New England Patriots paid him, so be it. There is still a chance the Titans sign another veteran tight end, but it seems unlikely. It’s more plausible Tennessee uses Anthony Firkser as the main receiving tight end, and draft a rookie this offseason. For the Titans mock draft, I have Tennessee selecting Brevin Jordan with the 86th overall pick.

The Miami prospect has a lot of raw talent. He’s athletic, good with the ball after the catch, and has a knack for getting in the endzone. Last season with the Hurricanes, Jordan finished with 38 receptions, 576 yards, and seven touchdowns.

He’s almost a carbon-copy of Jonnu Smith which bodes well for his future. However, Jordan needs time to develop and adjust to the professional level. He may not receive much playing time in the first year or two with Tennessee, but this franchise would be a perfect place for him to play. This is more of a project selection for the Titans mock draft, as it’ll take a year or two for Jordan to make a real impact in the NFL. 

Compensation | Pick 101 | Quincy Roche | Edge | Miami

The Titans’ compensatory pick landed at 101. This is fantastic for the front office as they have a chance to land four players they really like within the first three rounds. Even after re-building the front seven, this would be a great spot to take a solid pass rusher. With the 101st pick in the Titans mock draft, Tennessee selects Quincy Roche. 

Roche isn’t elite in his skillset, but he’s very good at what he does. His lack of size is the reason why he’s projected to be taken late in the third round, but he has the potential to be a solid pass rusher in the NFL. He finished his final season in Miami (Fl) with 45 total tackles, 14.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. 

He has a nose for the ball and seems to find the ball carrier quickly. Roche also seems to force his way into the backfield, despite his “small size.” After signing Denico Autry, and Bud Dupree, bringing in a young prospect like Roche would be the best-case scenario for the defense. He’d likely play more often in 2022, but Roche would be a smart selection, which is why I have him going to Tennessee in the Titans mock draft.

Round Four | Pick 127 | Walker Little | RT | Stanford

The Titans have a solid offensive line. Taylor Lewan is set to come back next year after suffering a season-ending injury, which will improve the offensive line vastly. Also, with high-level play from Rodger Saffold, Ben Jones, and Nate Davis, the Titans offensive line is nearly secured.

Even so, it’s very likely the front office selects a tackle to compete for a starting spot next year. Walker Little out of Stanford would be a great choice for Tennessee. He’s been very efficient throughout his collegiate career, and unlike Isaiah Wilson, Little seems to be focused on playing football. The right tackle position is a need that has to be filled, but it’s not like the roster is desperate either. Little is a great choice in the Titans mock draft. 

Round Five | Pick 167 | Jaelon Darden | WR | North Texas

Heading into the fifth round of the Titans mock draft, I have Tennessee double-dipping in the wide receiver position. Jaelon Darden out of North Texas might just be the most underrated prospect in this draft class. He finished his final season with 74 receptions, 1,190 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns.

Darden fits the mold for what Jon Robinson looks for in the draft. The Titans’ GM likes to pick guys who have plenty of game experience and produce quality numbers, no matter what school they go to. Darden fits that description perfectly. He hasn’t received much attention from scouts so far, but his college career cannot be ignored. For Tennessee, he’d likely start as the fourth receiver on the depth chart, but he has the potential to be a great slot receiver for this franchise. 

Rounds Six-Seven

Tennessee still has three picks remaining in the Titans mock draft. They’re likely to pick the top remaining player off the board, no matter the position at each pick. The Titans seem to draft a quarterback within the final two rounds every year, so I have them taking one in the Titans mock draft. Here are the final three picks to round out the Titans mock draft. 

• Pick 186 | Sam Ehlinger | QB | Texas 
• Pick 215 | Cornell Powell | WR | Clemson 
• Pick 256 | Buddy Johnson | ILB | Texas A&M

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