Fanspeak Mock Draft 2.22: Will Tennessee have better luck drafting an OT this time?

The recent release of long-time left tackle Taylor Lewan may be just the first of several big moves this offseason for Tennessee, as quarterback Ryan Tannehill is rumored to be a potential cap casualty.

But the Titans likely go into the 2023 draft feeling like they already have the QB position covered, at least for next season, after drafting Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 draft.

Therefore, it’s logical to assume Tennessee will at least consider taking a tackle with their first pick this year.

And if that’s the case, it wouldn’t take much for the rookie to fare better than the last offensive lineman the Titans drafted in the first round, Isaiah Wilson.

At 6-foot-6, 350-pounds, Wilson was a surprise entrant into the weird, 2020 Covid draft as a redshirt sophomore from Georgia. On the field, Wilson barely played. Off the field, his tenure was plagued by team violations and legal issues.

He was traded one year later to the Miami Dolphins. Just how bad was Wilson’s tenure in Tennessee? The Titans only received a seventh-round pick in 2021 from Miami in the trade – and had to send the Dolphins a 2022 seventh-rounder.

Then again, Wilson’s time with Miami was even shorter, as he was cut three days later after showing up late for his team physical and also for missing two workouts.

He then signed with the New York Giants’ practice squad, only to be released four months later.

These days, his Wikipedia entry says he is a rapper. Still just 24, it’s unknown if Wilson is still pursuing a musical career.

First Round:

1. Houston Texans (TRADE): QB Bryce Young, Alabama

The only way this happens is if the team has its sights set on one QB and is afraid someone will jump ahead of them. Otherwise, even giving up one Day 2 pick to move up one spot seems a little painful. Don’t forget the DeMeco Ryans’ Alabama ties with this selection.

2. Indianapolis Colts (TRADE): QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

Same reason Houston moved up – Indianapolis might be afraid someone leapfrogs them for one of the remaining top QBs.

3. Arizona Cardinals: DL Jalen Carter, Georgia

Carter is a better fit as a J.J. Watts replacement than Will Anderson.

4. Chicago Bears (via DEN): Edge Will Anderson, Alabama

The Bears hope Anderson transforms their D the way LB Brian Urlacher did not that long ago. The best part? Talent-starved Chicago picks up some extra Day 2 picks along the way.

5. Seattle Seahawks: DL Bryan Bresee, Clemson

This isn’t as big of a reach as it might seem. Bresee is ranked No. 10 in the latest Fanspeak-Jake Rigdon big board.

6. Detroit Lions (via LAR): QB Wil Levis, Kentucky

We said last week we think Detroit takes a QB if one of the big-three are still available, and we stand by that logic.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: OT Paris Johnson, Ohio State

If Just Blog Baby’s Micah McDonald says the team’s No. 1 draft priority is tackle, then we’re going to take his word for it.

8, Atlanta Falcons: S Brian Branch, Alabama

Before you say this is too high for Branch, let PFF explain the pick:

https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1623435753450622977

 

9. Carolina Panthers: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida

New head coach and QB whisperer Frank Reich gets a new mold of clay to work with.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via NO): CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

It would be tempting to take Bijan Robinson, but DB is a far greater need.

11. Tennessee Titans: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern

LT Taylor Lewan is out, Skoronski is in.

12. Houston Texans (via CLE): Edge Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech

Houston needs a receiver and a guard, too, but Wilson plays at a premium position and is the highest-rated player still on the board.

13. NY Jets: G O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida

Analysts say Torrence could have gone on Day 1 last season when with Louisiana.

14. New England Patriots: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas

Know what New England is good at when it comes to the draft? Just sitting back and watching as a player who should not be there falls in their lap.

15. Green Bay Packers: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

Mayer is probably a more dependable pick than the best receiver in this draft class, which will be important if Aaron Rodgers leaves or is traded.

16. Washington Commanders: CB Kelee Ringo, Georgia

We still think Ringo is the pick here with all the top QBs gone.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State

Why are we fighting this pick?

18. Detroit Lions: TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah

Detroit could use a safety valve for the QB, and Kincaid might be the best pass catcher of the 2023 tight end class.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Deonte Banks, Maryland

The team will need a RB if Leonard Fournette is released, but they can always find one on Day 2.

20. Seattle Seahawks: LB Trenton Simpson

Don’t look now, but Seattle’s normally weird drafts may be a thing of the past.

21. Miami Dolphins: Forfeited

22. LA Chargers: WR Jordan Addison, USC

Addison checks a lot of boxes for Los Angeles, although he’s a bit smaller than typical No. 1 receivers.

23. Baltimore Ravens: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU

Rumor has it that Johnston will test well at the Combine, so he could move up.

24. Minnesota Vikings: Edge Myles Murphy, Clemson

Murphy has been trending down in recent weeks, but this is still too good of a value to pass up.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina

Tyson Campbell, meet the primary reason why you won’t be targeted much in 2023.

26. NY Giants: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

Surely the Giants won’t lose both their QB and RB to free agency, right? Because that would make this pick feel kind of unnecessary.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Devon Witherspoon, Illinois

Young No. 1 corner? Check. Young slot corner? Check. Even if Second boundary corner? Well … Even if Anthony Brown returns from injury and re-signs with the team, the always-dependable CB is not even close to the prospect Witherspoon is.

28. Buffalo Bills: OT Broderick Jones, Georgia

We had the Bills taking the Tennessee tackle last month. Jones would be an even better pick.

29. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee

Cincinnati is finally learning an important lesson: You can never have enough quality offensive linemen, especially if you’re trying to protect a franchise-altering QB.

30. New Orleans Saints (via DEN): QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

Before you say, “no way,” how many times have you scratched your head at New Orleans’ picks in the first round?

31. Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Lukas Van Ness, Iowa

The Eagles’ two first-round picks will make NFC East teams groan.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama

What’s that, you say? The Chiefs offense lacks dynamic talent outside Patrick Mahomes. OK, we can fix that.

Who’s left:

Los Angeles Rams, second round: S Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M

Cleveland Browns, second round: DL Karl Brooks, Bowling Green

Miami Dolphins, second round: RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane

Denver, third round: OT Tyler Steen, Alabama

San Francisco, third round: CB Jaylon Jones, Texas A&M

 

Jake Rigdon (@jrigdon73) covers the NFL draft for Fanspeak.com. He also covers the NFL draft from a Dallas Cowboys perspective in this subReddit. And his big board is updated at least once per week during the season and leading up to the draft.