2022 4-Round Mock Draft: Tennessee Titans

The 2021 Tennessee Titans had many fans believing the franchise’s Super Bowl curse may soon be over, even finishing the regular season as the number-one seed in the hotly contested AFC. Unfortunately for them, they faced the future AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals in their first playoff game and crashed out to a disappointing end to the season.

So far for the Titans, their biggest off-season move has been to re-sign linebacker Harold Landry before he could test the free agency market. They also released Julio Jones, their biggest off-season move from 2021, after a season filled with injury and disappointment.

The most pressing needs for the Titans in the draft are wide receiver, tight end, cornerback, and the offensive line. Let’s see what their plan for the 2022 NFL Draft could contain.

1.26 (26 Overall)

Zion Johnson, G, Boston College

Zion Johnson is available at No.26 in this mock and the decision is easy for the Titans front office. Had Johnson not been available, I really think QB becomes a possibility here. Nevertheless, Johnson is here in this mock, and Tennessee commits to Ryan Tannehill for at least 2022.

The 6’3″, 312 lbs guard out of Boston College is a day one starter for this Titans offense in 2022. Johnson started three seasons at Boston College, two of these at guard and one at tackle, showing his versatility along the offensive line. The Titans released Left tackle Rodger Saffold this off-season and in this mock immediately replace him, looking to solidify the line in front of Tannehill and Derrick Henry for years to come.

Johnson has excellent technique and is extremely consistent, suggesting he could be above average on the left side of the line in Nashville. Starting at left guard, Zion will help on all downs, but particularly in pass protection for Tannehill, only allowing six pressures at Boston College in 2021.

3.26 (90 Overall)

Romeo Doubs, WR, Nevada

The Titans look to improve their thin WR room, adding Romeo Doubs out of Nevada. The two-time First-Team All-Mountain West receiver boasts some of the most exciting physical traits for a receiver in this draft class, particularly if he is available at Pick 90. To complement these, he has the ability to get into the endzone, scoring nine and eleven touchdowns in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

At 6’2″, 204 lbs, he is long and rangy but still possesses the speed to beat defenders deep. With defenses so focused on A.J. Brown in Tennessee, Doubs could get loose and prove a real problem against a CB2. Also, he possesses the size to take on corners on contested throws, as well as the ball-tracking ability to come down with it in a variety of situations.

Everything said so far probably makes you wonder why he is available in the third round for the Titans. Doubs has a limited route tree, something teams will want him to work on when he enters the NFL, and also had some drop issues in 2020.

However, he still had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in college and his issues are unlikely to be anything that will stop him from having a successful career as a WR2, with the upside to bring first-string numbers in his career.

4.26 (131 Overall)

Jelani Woods, TE, Virginia

For many Tennessee fans, Jelani Woods is their ideal pick at this spot. In this mock, he is available and Jon Robinson obliges. The 6’7″, 269 lbs monster of a man has been flying up draft boards in recent weeks and is someone who has aced the draft process so far.

Woods played three years at Oklahoma State, primarily playing as a blocking tight end for the Cowboys. In these three seasons, he had 366 yards and four total touchdowns. These numbers are nothing exciting and might suggest he is not a threat in the receiving game, limiting his impact on the professional level. However, he transferred to Virginia for his 2021 senior campaign and dramatically changed his draft stock.

In one season with the Cavs, he caught 44 balls for 598 yards and eight touchdowns. On top of this, Woods has shown speed and ball-catching ability in the draft process and is overall a well-rounded tight end. His three years of run blocking at Oklahoma State as well as a season of receiving at Virginia show he is capable, and willing, to play all three downs in the NFL and will be an immediate asset for any team ready to draft him.

4.38 (143 Overall)

Cordale Flott, CB, LSU

With their second pick in Round Four, the reigning AFC South champions select cornerback Cordale Flott out of LSU.

Flott is long and has a good size to play slot corner in the NFL. He played both nickel and outside corner in the Tigers defense, showing his versatility to be comfortable in various situations. His athleticism also allows him to make plays on the ball and this, mixed with his aggressive playstyle, will undoubtedly provide highlight-worthy plays for whichever team takes a chance on him during the event.

When defending the run he reacts well, identifying it early. However, his lack of strength is often on display in the run game, struggling to work through blocks and also having issues with getting the ball carrier to the ground when he attempts to make a tackle.

All in all, his physical characteristics as well as his understanding of the game should excite Titans fans if they land him late in the fourth round. He has the potential to develop into a really important piece of this Tennessee team, helping defend against the abundance of passing talent in the AFC for years to come.

4-Round Titans Mock Draft Summary

In this mock, the Titans commit to Ryan Tannehill and stay in win-now mode. They bolster the offensive line to help protect Tannehill and give him two new weapons in Doubs and Woods.

Finally, they add Flott, who has the potential to be an impact player on defense for this team that will be continuously facing extremely talented quarterbacks and receivers within the conference in the near future.

TEN fans should be happy if the draft falls the way this mock did as they would be set up well to compete again for a playoff spot come September, hopefully with the tools to take it further than they did in the past few seasons.

Previous Mock Drafts: LAR, CIN, KC, SF, GB

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