Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - TENNESSEE TITANS NFL DRAFT PREVIEW: Cam Ward CHANGES THE CULTURE, Biggest Needs & Trade Potential

Starting point is 00:00:00 Tennessee Titans fans, the NFL draft is here and this could be the most important draft in franchise history. I'm going to break down the Titans biggest needs, best draft fits and trade possibilities on today's NFL draft preview edition of Locked on Titans, your daily Tennessee Titans podcast, part of the locked on podcast network, your team every day. Welcome to the locked on Titans podcast. I am your host Tyler Roland Titans fans. Today's NFL draft preview edition of the locked on Titans podcast is brought to you by LinkedIn jobs. LinkedIn jobs helps you find qualified candidates. You want to talk

Starting point is 00:00:47 too faster. Post your job for free at linkedin.com slash locked on NFL terms and conditions do apply it's draft day folks. And again, this could be one of the most important drafts in Tennessee Titans history. This draft will set the culture for a new era of Tennessee Titans football. We're going to talk about what the Titans biggest needs are. We're going to talk about the best fits for those needs in all three days of the draft. Also look at some potential trade options and of course the Titans could trade down, but I also think the Tennessee Titans could trade up. So I'll

Starting point is 00:01:21 go over all of that before I dive into it. Do want to remind you, I am your host Tyler Roland. 25 years as a Tennessee Titans fanatic. I've covered the team for USA today, sports illustrated and hosted the number one Tennessee Titans podcast, locked on Titans for six seasons. Do want to thank you guys for tuning into locked on Titans Monday through Friday. It's year round free Tennessee Titans content. And I'm going to have a ton of draft content this week as well. Instant reaction videos.

Starting point is 00:01:49 I'm going to have nightly recaps going live here on the Locked on Titans podcast, breaking down what happened, what to look for next. So much coming your way. Make sure that you get subscribed. Stay subscribed. It's your team every day. With that being said, the Tennessee Titans need to set the culture with this draft. And I thought we talked about it on yesterday's show with Chad Brinker and Mike

Starting point is 00:02:11 Borganzi's comments about needing to get good players. Right now with Cam Ward coming in, we are starting the new era of Tennessee Titans football. Any remnants of the Mike Vrabel, Derek Henry, Ryan Tannehill, AJ Brown brown like all of that has died what happened was Rancarthong took that team with mike rable and then with brian callahan and basically tried to put makeup on a pig It did not work and now mike borganzi and chad brinker are telling us over and over again as loud as they possibly could yesterday This is not a good team. We have a ton of needs. We can't solve every need.

Starting point is 00:02:48 This is not a good roster. Brian Callahan said we got the number one pick for a reason. You know what I mean? So they are telling us, Hey, this draft right here is stage one of building our program cam ward's going to be the number one pick. He is going to define the culture. And I think that Cam Ward, being the person that he is and the leader that he is in the locker room

Starting point is 00:03:12 and his intangibles as a person are as important to the Titans as the on-field stuff right now because Cam Ward isn't just coming in and hoping to, you know, lead a good team to victory. Cam Ward has to literally be the foundation for which this new era of Tennessee Titans football is built upon. And with that in mind, you have to take that philosophy into account as the Titans go through the rest of the picks in their draft. You look at a guy at the second round, like Luther Burden, incredibly talented, but Emeka Agbuka, both those guys were available. I believe the Titans would go with Emeka Buka

Starting point is 00:03:46 because he is more of a character, culture, fit. He would be a guy who does the right things, goes the right way, loves football, and would help you establish that culture. It reminds me of when Brian Callahan talked about building a culture last year when he was hired. And he talked about in Cincinnati, they tried to draft guys who were high character guys who loved football, who came from big time

Starting point is 00:04:07 programs to help set that culture after Cincinnati had been marred at rudderless for the last couple of years before they got Joe Burrow. So I look at it exactly the same. This is a culture setting draft for the Tennessee Titans. And with that in mind, I think they will prioritize high football character guys. So keep that in mind as we go forward, but make no mistake, this could end up being the most important draft and Tennessee Titans franchise history if things go right.

Starting point is 00:04:34 And that sort of potential has me so, so excited. So what are the biggest needs for the Tennessee Titans headed into the draft and what picks do they have? The Tennessee Titans have eight picks in this draft as things currently stand. They have picked number one in the first round. They have picked number 35 in the second round. They have picked 103 to start the fourth round. They have picked 120 in the fourth round.

Starting point is 00:04:59 They have picked 167 at the end of the fifth round. They have picked 178 and 188 in the sixth round. So eight total picks, but only two of those are in the top 100 where you really get day one starting talent. So the Titans are probably going to look to find a way to get an extra top 100 pick and we'll talk about the trade possibilities and who could be a partner for them later in the, in the show. But biggest needs after knowing the picks tier one, biggest needs, the top

Starting point is 00:05:25 needs quarterback wide receiver edge. Obviously the Tennessee Titans are going to go quarterback with Cam Ward at number one. If they stick and pick at number 35, I think there is a high likelihood that is one of these two positions that remain wide receiver or edge. I think it would depend on the talent that was available. I think right now I would tell you it is much more likely that the Tennessee Titans would take an edge rusher with their second round pick rather than a wide receiver where they think they might be able to get value later in the draft. So I would lean edge, but either way, those three positions, quarterback, wide receiver and edge are the top tier needs for the Tennessee Titans heading

Starting point is 00:06:04 into this draft. And again, I'm going to tell you my best fits for the Titans at all of these positions and day one, day two, day three options here in just a moment. My tier two biggest needs for the Tennessee Titans. Number one is safety. The Titans need a safety desperately that they can plug in next year. Amani Hooker is on the last year of his deal with the Titans and may not be around. Xavier Woods is basically on a one-year deal where the Titans can get out of Xavier Woods's contract with $1 million of dead space next year.

Starting point is 00:06:38 The Titans do not have a long-term safety option on the roster right now. So I think safety is a bigger need than what most people would think of right away off the top. If the Titans can get a top level safety early in the draft, I think they'll take a chance at it. We'll talk about some options again here in just a second. But the second most important tier two need for me is interior offensive line. Kevin Zeitler is 35 years old. He's on a one year contract. The Titans do not have a long term option for right guard on the roster. And I think with how important offensive line is going to be for this regime and how important offensive line should be for the Titans based on what we've seen

Starting point is 00:07:17 with that group over the last few years. You don't want to catch yourself in a position where you have to find starters every single year on the offensive line, stockpile those guys. So interior offensive line guard, even center with Lloyd cushion, Barry coming off an Achilles injury. I think interior offensive line is far more important than again, a lot of Titans fans would say. So that's my number two tier two option.

Starting point is 00:07:40 My last tier two option is linebacker. The Titans have Cody Barton probably going to be on the team for a year or two. Outside of that, all of the young linebackers, Otis Reese, Cedric Gray, uh, James Williams, we don't know if they're going to blossom. And last year, nobody really took a step forward to give you a ton of faith that they can be a starter or a number one linebacker for the team. So linebacker is a tier two need for me, but I don't think it's a very good draft for linebackers.

Starting point is 00:08:09 So I'm just not that interested in getting the guy out of that class, even though I have that need here. And then my final tier of needs are all the things I think the Titans could afford to get later in the draft. If at all offensive tackle running back interior defensive line, cornerback and tight end. I don't think that those are as big of needs as the other two tiers that we talked about, but again, the Tennessee Titans,

Starting point is 00:08:34 as they told us yesterday in their pre draft press conference, they are going to be drafting best player available. This team is bad. They have needs all over the roster at every spot. So the best thing to do as a rebuilding team is not worry about plugging holes and filling needs for year one, worry about building out the best roster you can

Starting point is 00:08:52 and that's best player available. So I think all of these positions are in play for the Titans all over the board and I'll tell you my best fits on all three days. Do wanna let you guys know that today's episode is brought to you by Monarch Money. Ever check your bank account and wonder where did all my money go? Between dining out, online shopping, and entertainment, it's easy to lose track. That's where Monarch Money comes in, your personal CFO giving you full visibility and

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Starting point is 00:11:04 game time today. Last-minute tickets, lowest price, guaranteed. Titans fans, let's continue today's NFL draft preview edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. As a reminder, again, I'm going to have a ton of content throughout the draft. I'm going to have a short video on all socials to break down each pick as it happens. I'm going to go live immediately after each day ends of the draft to break down what happened and what to look for next I'm gonna have film content on all of the Titans draftees just like I did last year over on the tic tac Titans film channel

Starting point is 00:11:52 I'm gonna have a scheme fit video on cam ward. I'm gonna have a full scouting report on cam ward I have a wide receiver video up. I'm gonna have an edge rusher video up here in the next few hours as well I am pumping out so much content over draft weekend. You got to make sure that you don't miss any of it. Get subscribed, stay subscribed, stay locked in to the Locked on Titans podcast. But with that being said, let's talk about the best fits for the Tennessee Titans at every single position based on what day they would be available. And obviously at quarterback, it's cam ward. I'm not going to spend time going up over day two and day three quarterbacks.

Starting point is 00:12:31 When we know the Titans are taking cam ward on day one, but you go to wide receiver, which is the next biggest need for me on the list. And I think if the Titans were to make a trade up back into the first round, I don't think that's super likely, but if they would or if these guys slide to day two potentially, a Mecheg Buka and Luther Burden are the top tier fits for the Titans at wide receiver early in the draft. If you get to day two sticking and picking at 35 potentially making a trade down. I think Kyle Williams, Jaden Higgins, Jalen Royals out of Utah State who's kind of a do-it-all weapon and yards after catch opportunity guy and then Elick Aomannor the

Starting point is 00:13:12 Physical big wide receiver out of Stanford I think those are great fits for the Titans Williams and Royals more speed guys Higgins and Aomannor more guys that are big and physical they could be on the outside as an X So those are my favorite fits on day two for those guys day three I think a guy like Tori Horton out of Colorado State who's kind of a more risky version of Kyle Williams in my opinion Thin guy good route runner good speed some injury concern Isaac Tesla Who's a big physical guy out of Arkansas Isaiah Bond? There's some off-field issues there,

Starting point is 00:13:45 but I love Isaiah Bond out of Texas on day three. At edge, if James Pierce, Nick Scourton, or Devin Azaraku are available at pick number 35, I think one of those guys is the pick for the Titans. Again, I think they would go edge. So those guys are great bits for me early in the draft if they fall. But more likely day two options for the Titans. I love Braden Swinson out of LSU. Prince Leo Mommy Ellen out of Ole Miss. Jordan Burch is kind of a more big physical defensive end

Starting point is 00:14:17 out of Oregon who I think makes sense. Femi Oladejo is a guy that I like a ton that makes a ton of sense and Landon Jackson is another big physical edge rusher. I think all of those guys are in play on day two. I think the Tennessee Titans find a way to get an edge rusher on day two. But on day three, a big physical guy like Savion Jones out of LSU, big physical guy like Jared Ivy out of Ole Miss, Fidel Diggs out of Syracuse, John Joyner, Minnesota. I think all those guys are big physical edges that would make sense for the Titans on day three. Safeties. Now we're getting to the next tier of needs for the Titans. If Malachi Starks is on the board out of Georgia at pick 35, the Titans should take him.

Starting point is 00:15:06 I think he's a playmaker, great ball production. He can roam the back end. I love Malachi Starks. I hope he's there, but if not, and more likely day two, Andrew McCuba out of Texas, super underrated in my opinion, would love Andrew McCuba as a free safety roam in the back end. Xavier Watts out of Notre Dame came for a visit with the Titans. Super underrated in my opinion would love Andrew McCuba as a free safety room in the back end. Xavier Watts out of Notre Dame came for a visit with the Titans, so did McCuba.

Starting point is 00:15:30 Very similar to Amani Hooker in my opinion and what role he could play within the Titans defense. And Kevin Winston out of Penn State, little lower on him later in the draft, maybe third round in a trade back. But Winston is a very ferocious physical safety. I think the Titans would like having him on day three, Jonas Sanker out of Virginia, Malachi Moore out of Alabama, uh, RJ Mickens out of Clemson and a real deep cut Maxon hook out of Toledo. Those are my day three options at safety that I think Sanker, Moore, and Mickens could all end up being starters for the Titans.

Starting point is 00:16:09 Linebacker again, I don't like a lot of options, but if Jahad Campbell drops, I would certainly consider it. Carson Swessinger out of UCLA would be a good fit if the Titans traded back in the second round because he's more of a coverage guy would go with more of a run stuffer like Cody Barton and give you two guys who have good balance at linebacker. Um, day three though, they want to take a shot. Danny Stutzman out of Oklahoma is a big athletic guy who is terrible at playing the position.

Starting point is 00:16:39 If they could coach him up with a size and athleticism, I would like that. And Jay Higgins is a smaller guy out of Iowa, but he's just, just a good football player who can come in on special teams and make an impact. But again, I do not like this linebacker class and I am perfectly fine if the Titans want to totally avoid it. I am not mad about that at all. Get an undrafted free agent to mix in with your already young linebacker core. Um, on the interior offensive line though, this is really where I really want to see the Titans get somebody. If Donovan Jackson from Ohio state drops out of the first round and is there at

Starting point is 00:17:13 35, take him, take him, take him. The Titans had him on a visit. He gives you tackle versatility, but could be your long-term starting right guard and now you have a great offensive line. I just love Donovan Jackson out of Ohio state, but day two options, Lyat Milam out of West Virginia, Tate Ratledge out of Georgia, Miles Frazier out of LSU. Love those options on day two later on day two in the draft day three,

Starting point is 00:17:40 Emory Jones out of LSU, Jalen Rivers out of Miami, Caleb Rogers out of Texas Tech, all great interior offensive line options. I really hope the Titans get one of those players that I just mentioned. Moving to the tier three list of needs. Again, these are needs where if the Titans don't grab somebody, I'm not going to be frustrated by it. Offensive tackle again with Adam Moore, and Latham being a first round pick last year, I feel less confident the Titans go

Starting point is 00:18:10 offensive tackle, but if, if Josh Simmons out of Ohio state who had a knee injury, but would have been the number one offensive tackle, he would have been a top 10 pick if he didn't get hurt in the middle of the season, we're hearing that he's been medically cleared by a bunch of teams that they're fine with it. If Josh Simmons is there at 35, I say you take it and you let him recover from the knee injury and you can replace Dan Moore with him long-term. Uh, if not though, day two, Anthony Belton, big physical, powerful, offensive tackle out of North Carolina state, Charles Grant, the athletic development tackle out of William and Mary and Ozzy, Trapio, the

Starting point is 00:18:48 solid do it all swing tackle out of Boston college. They're all great options for the Titans on day two. And then cam Williams, the big physical development project out of Texas, only 21 years old Logan Brown out of Kansas, uh, miles Hinton out of Michigan. I would take all those guys as day three as development projects or guys that could come in right away and compete for a swing role. Running back, running back.

Starting point is 00:19:15 I think the Titans are gonna draft a running back. I really do. If Trevion Henderson is there at 35, I would not be mad if the Titans took him. I think he's gonna be a Jir Gibbs level weapon in the NFL and you can't count on Tajay Spears and Tony Pollard's probably on his last year with the Titans like running back is a way bigger need than people realize I would probably put it in tier two if I could redo this list I would put running back in tier two honestly on day two physical

Starting point is 00:19:43 running backs is what the Titans need. Caleb Johnson out of Iowa did a visit. Cam Scataboo out of, uh, Arizona state did a visit with the Titans on day three though, which I think is the most likely is day three running backs. Damien Martinez, the power running back out of Miami reunited with Cam ward, Devin Neil out of Kansas, um, DJ Giddens out of Kansas state, RJ Harvey out of UCF. I think all would be good paired running backs with what the Titans already have. The Titans did a ton of work on interior defensive line too. If Derek Harman out of Oregon drops to

Starting point is 00:20:17 35, I'd take him. Uh, Darius Alexander, TJ Sanders, Omar, Norman lot, all guys that make sense on day three or day two of the draft day three, Ty Robinson out of Nebraska, um, cam Jackson out of Florida cornerback. If Joday Baron falls to 35, I'll take it. But other than that, I don't want a cornerback on day two Quincy Riley out of Louisville who is just like Jarvis Brownlee jr Jacob Parrish out of Kansas state who is a physical slot corner press slot corner and Zah Frazier out of San Antonio like those guys make sense at cornerback to me but on day three I'm

Starting point is 00:21:03 not taking a cornerback day two unless Baron falls to 35 tight end is an interesting one Because if Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland were to drop to 35 the Titans should absolutely sprint to the podium and take them But those guys aren't gonna make it so Mason Taylor out of LSU Elijah O'Rourke on day two. I would be right with that. I guess not as enamored as maybe IDL or running back. And then more likely day three tight ends Terrence Ferguson out of Oregon blocker Jackson halls blocker Thomas Fedone blocker. I think those are all options for the Titans on day three, but now we need to talk about potential trades for the Titans in the draft because of course they could trade down in the second round.

Starting point is 00:21:51 But I think the Titans could also trade up back into the top 100 as well. Do want to let you know that today's episode is brought to you by LinkedIn jobs. As a small business owner, your work doesn't end when the clock hits five. Your business is always on your mind, which means when it's time to hire, you need a partner that works just as hard as you do. That's where LinkedIn jobs comes in. When you clock out, LinkedIn clocks in. LinkedIn makes it easy to post your job for free, share it with your network and get qualified candidates all in one place. Post your job. It's LinkedIn's new feature that helps you write job descriptions and then

Starting point is 00:22:29 quickly get your job in front of the right people with deep candidate insights. Here's a pro tip. Add the hashtag hiring frame to your profile picture to double your reach to qualified candidates. No wonder 72% of small businesses say LinkedIn helps them find high quality hires post your job for free at linkedin.com slash locked on NFL. That's linkedin.com slash locked on NFL to post your job for free. Terms and conditions do apply. Titans fans. Let's cap off today's NFL draft preview

Starting point is 00:23:19 edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. Again, could be one of the most important if not the most important draft in Tennessee Titans history. If Cam Ward leads the Tennessee Titans to a Super Bowl, this is by far the most important draft in Tennessee Titans history, but it's not just Cam Ward. They need to hit on at least three other picks in this draft with starters that helped set the culture. We talked about biggest needs, best fits on all three days at those needs. Now I want to talk about trades before I do again.

Starting point is 00:23:49 Thank you for making locked on Titans. Your first listen, get subscribed, stay subscribed. I'm going to have so much content for you guys coming out in the next few days to the next week or so, but. Obviously we have to talk about the trade down option for the Titans at pick number 35 in the second round. If the Titans were able to trade back and collect an extra day to pick, it would be a fantastic outcome because there are pockets of players that I

Starting point is 00:24:18 think make a ton of sense for the Titans and a trade down in the second round would allow them to get a player at both of the biggest need positions, wide receiver and edge or interior offensive line safety, interior defensive line running back. Those there are pockets of those players on day three where the Titans, if they traded down and got another pick could get a bite at the apple twice. So New Orleans is a team that I think makes a ton of sense in a trade down for the Titans. They have picked 40, they have picked 71, they have picked 93. If the Titans were to

Starting point is 00:24:53 get 40, were to get 93 in a trade down, that would make sense. 40 and 71 is an absolute home run. I think the Tennessee Titans could trade pick 35 and pick 141 for 40 and 71, especially if the saints are coming up to get a quarterback like Jackson Dart or Tyler Shupp. I think if that isn't good enough, 35 and 120 absolutely gets the deal done. We've seen it last year. There was a trade just like that. It was 33 and 168. So the Titans give up a little better and they get a little bit better at the pick in the 70s. Vegas. Vegas is another team. Geno Smith is going to be 35 years old.

Starting point is 00:25:46 Vegas could absolutely look to move up and get a quarterback. Vegas has 37 and 68. 37 and 68 for 35 and 120. For a quarterback, they might do that. Honestly, I would do 35, 120, and 167 to get 37 and 68. And then Seattle. All right. If the Titans are willing to drop back far, Seattle, because of their trade with the Steelers for DK Metcalf.

Starting point is 00:26:25 Seattle has 50, 52, 82 and 92. So any combination 52 and 82, 52 and 92, 50 and 82, 50 and 92. I would do 103 and 35 for 50 and 52 if they would be willing to do that. I don't think they would but like there are so many possibilities and these are just teams that I think could want a quarterback. If James Pierce Luther burden, some of these guys start dropping into the early second round. It isn't just quarterbacks that teams come up for early in the second round.

Starting point is 00:27:00 They'll come up for premium positions that fall. Think about Tyler Booker. So I think the Titans are in a great spot to trade down at 35 but the reality is there may be prospects that fall. The Titans even said it in their press conference there are camp pass prospects who they would not trade down at 35 and they would just take that player. They've said it multiple times during the process. I think a Mechaeg Buka is one of those guys. I think that a guy like Donovan Edzaraku is one of those guys. I think Donovan Jackson might be one of those guys. So I guess I think there's a great opportunity for the Titans to trade down,

Starting point is 00:27:49 but I am not like, oh yeah, they're absolutely going to trade down. I think there's a good chance they get somebody there that they really like and they don't want to pass on and they take. All right. Now here's where I want to throw out my aggressive idea. I had a tweet back on March the 15th and I said that I would not be shocked and I would encourage it as a matter of fact that if the Titans stick and pick at 35 and don't trade back the way they get themselves an extra top 100 pick is the only way to trade up. You have picked one oh three. Okay. That's where you start out. You

Starting point is 00:28:31 trade one oh three for whatever the pick is that you move up to the eighties, the nineties. I think it's absolutely possible. So you look at some of the trade charts and you look at some previous trades. If the Titans put 103 and 120 together, I think they could get up to about 80 to 85. Maybe 80 to 87. If the Titans put 103 and 141 together, I think they could get to 90 95 somewhere in there and the Titans put 103 and 167 together. I think they could get to 95 to you know 98 a

Starting point is 00:29:16 Small jump up there which wouldn't be as fruitful in my opinion So I think 103 and 120 or 103 and 141 are really the thing. They could do 103, 141 and 167 and move up to 75. Like there's, I don't think that the Tennessee Titans have to leave this draft with eight people. I think based on where the Titans picks are right now and not having that third rounder and this class being big on starters not stars Why would the titan I if i'm the titans i'm absolutely giving up One of my two fourth round picks And then one of my

Starting point is 00:30:01 167 178 188 picks to move up here. So I think honestly, if I had to tell you the truth, I think it's more likely that the Titans trade up back into the top 100 than it is that they trade down at 35. What they do remains to be seen. I'm gonna be here live tomorrow. As soon as the pick is made to talk about Cam Ward being the franchise quarterback, film content, instant reactions, all of that. Get subscribed, stay subscribed.

Starting point is 00:30:30 It's your team every day. But that's going to do it for today's NFL Draft Preview Edition. I am your host, Tyler Rowland. And this was Locked on Titans.

Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - TENNESSEE TITANS NFL DRAFT PREVIEW: Cam Ward CHANGES THE CULTURE, Biggest Needs & Trade Potential

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