Surprisingly,Tennessee Titans Reach for NFL Draft Needed Trade Deal As Described…
The Tennessee Titans made some big splashes during free agency but could fill a big need during the 2024 NFL Draft, even if they have to reach in order to do it.
General manager Ran Carthon made some splashes this offseason, adding running back Tony Pollard and field-stretching wide receiver Calvin Ridley to quarterback Will Levis’ supporting cast, as the second-year former second-round pick quarterback enters a pivotal 2024 campaign.
While the jury might still be out on Levis’ NFL ceiling, Carthon and the Titans must solidify the offensive line in front of him, ahead of the 2024 season.
It’s no surprise, then, that CBS Sports lists offensive tackle as the Titans’ biggest NFL Draft need.
“As part of its coaching search,” Josh Edwards writes for CBS Sports. “Tennessee made it clear to candidates that they intend to move forward with Will Levis as the starting quarterback. They have done everything in their power to support him this offseason by signing wide receiver Calvin Ridley, running back Tony Pollard and center Lloyd Cushenberry.
“Wide receiver and offensive tackle were viewed as the most likely outcomes for the Titans at No. 7 overall but they used free agency to sign Ridley and released incumbent starting left tackle Andre Dillard. Levis spent last offseason running for his life but now the franchise has one of the league’s best offensive line teachers, Bill Callahan, and are likely to use its first round pick on the offensive line for the second consecutive year.”
Even if Pollard and Ridley figure to be dynamic weapons around Levis, the offense will struggle to reach its most prolific potential without a dominant offensive line, which makes prioritizing offensive tackle a must for Carthon and the Titans.
The Titans are well positioned to add young talent to a roster that can give Carthon and Tennessee an opportunity to truly evaluate whether Levis is the future.
Tennessee owns all eight of its picks in the upcoming draft, including No. 7 overall.
Given the amount of quarterback-needy teams looking to trade up — and selecting in the top-three picks, the Titans could have their pick of the premier offensive tackles in this year’s class.
Penn State’s Olu Fashanu and Notre Dame’s Joe Alt could be in range for the Titans when Tennessee goes on the clock in the first round.
