TENNESSEE TITANS
Round 1 (No. 18 overall, from Saints through Eagles) – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas: The AFC South champs shipped Pro Bowl WR A.J. Brown to Philadelphia for this selection (and a third-rounder). Back in Nashville, Burks is a similar (if bigger) player to Brown, able to make things happen once the ball’s in his hands. Perhaps 4.55-second 40 speed is unremarkable for his spot, but the momentum it generates for a 6-2, 225-pounder who’s also been compared to Deebo Samuel could be distinctive.
Round 2 (35, from Jets) – Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn: The All-SEC corner flushes out a secondary that welcomed CBs Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden in last year’s draft. The Titans couldn’t slow down Bengals QB Joe Burrow in the playoffs even with the benefit of nine sacks. The 5-11, 190-pound McCreary has five INTs over the past two seasons but isn’t necessarily a remarkable athlete for the position.
Round 3 (69, from Jets) – Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State: He could compete for the right tackle job that’s been an issue since Jack Conklin left.
Round 3 (86) – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty: The trade of WR A.J. Brown suggested this could be a franchise in transition. That could also occur at quarterback in light of Ryan Tannehill’s inability to elevate this team in the postseason crucible. Enter Willis, who will remind Nashville fans of former Titans league MVP Steve McNair. Willis should be ready to rock in 2023.
Round 4 (131) – Hassan Haskins, RB, Michigan
Round 4 (143, compensatory) – Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Maryland
Round 5 (163, from Steelers through Jets) – Kyle Phillips, WR, UCLA
Round 6 (204) – Theo Jackson, S, Tennessee
Round (219, compensatory) Chance Campbell, LB, Ole Miss
Grade: B
Getting Willis suggests a transition without a rebuild. (And don’t be surprised if Haskins inherits Derrick Henry’s job one day.) They will run it back with Henry, Tannehill and Co. – augmented by Burks and McCreary.