Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Tennessee Titans Will Levis Trade Up Reaction and NO WIDE RECEIVERS???

Episode Date: April 29, 2023

The Tennessee Titans had a controversial day two of the 2023 NFL draft. They started off the day with a trade up for QB Will Levis who the fan base was divided on. Who is Levis and what does this mean for the Titans at quarterback? Next, the Titans brought in explosive running back Tyjae Spears, but that comes with some severe knee concerns. And how did they not draft a wide receiver???Follow Tyler on Twitter @TicTacTitansFollow the show on Facebook @LockedOnTitansPodSubscribe to the Locked On Titans YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/LockedOnTitans/videosSupport Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!BetterHelpThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist who can take you on that journey of self-discovery from wherever you are. Visit BetterHelp.com/lockedon today to get 10% off your first month.Built BarBuilt Bar is a protein bar that tastes like a candy bar. Go to builtbar.com and use promo code “LOCKEDON15,” and you’ll get 15% off your next order.Ultimate Football GMTo download the game just visit Ultimate-GM.com or look it up on the app stores. Our listeners get a 100% free boost to their franchise when using the promo LOCKEDON (ALL CAPS) in the game store.FanDuelMake Every Moment More. Don’t miss the chance to get your No Sweat First Bet up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS in Bonus Bets when you go FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON.FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Tennessee Titans trade up and select quarterback Will Levis, and they don't draft a wide receiver on day two of the NFL draft? I'm breaking it all down on today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast. Let's get it. You are Locked on Titans, your daily Tennessee Titans podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Whoa, Titans fans! A controversial day two of the 2023 NFL Draft for the Tennessee Titans.

They trade up to get Will Levis. They select a running back in Tajay Spears, and they don't draft a wide receiver. We're going to talk about all of that and take a look at tomorrow, day three in the NFL draft and what the Titans could be looking at and what picks they have remaining. Before we get into all of that, I want to thank you guys for making the Locked on Titans podcast your first listen every day. Remember Monday through Friday, Tennessee Titans content on all platforms, all year long and always for free. Tennessee Titans content on all platforms, all year long. And always for free, make sure that you get subscribed and stay subscribed to the Locked on Titans podcast where it's your team every day.

I'm going to continue breaking down all the picks on day three with instant reactions, with five to seven minute breakdowns. Going to do another 30 minute live recap of tomorrow's activities as well. So make sure that you don't miss any of that. And then the breakdowns that I'll have coming on all of the drafted players for the Titans throughout the next few weeks. But with that in mind, let's move forward. Do want to thank the everydayers though,

who are tuning into the show Monday through Friday, every week, all year long. Shout out to you guys, but welcome in anybody new who's new to the podcast. Again, get subscribed for free content Monday through Friday, all year long. Shout out to you guys, but welcome in anybody new who's new to the podcast. Again, get subscribed for free content Monday through Friday all year round. But the trade itself is what I want to start with. The actual trade that the Titans made. Pick number 33 and pick number 81 is what the Titans received. So they went up eight picks

to 33. They went down nine picks from 72 to 81. And then they gave up a third rounder in 2024. So overall, when we're talking about just the trade itself, the trade isn't that bad. I don't think the trade itself is bad,

what the Titans paid. Not, you know, kind of a trade-off with the picks and where they're at in terms of how far away they went from where they were before. And then giving up the third rounder next year, I get that that is, you know, something that the Titans are going to want next year. But again, I just don't think the trade was really that expensive for the Titans to go up and do this. What I want to do is, let's look at the pros. Let's look at the positives here for one moment. Don't worry, I'll get to the cons.

I'll get to the negatives. But let me go against my best judgment here and start with the positives. So, number one, Levis has a prototypical quarterback body, a big-time body, 6'4, 229 pounds. He is a large human being at the quarterback position. He has an incredibly quick release, which a lot of people compare to Aaron Rodgers. I'm just talking about the quickness of his release on his throw. I'm not saying he's going to be Aaron Rodgers. I'm just saying it's tight to his head. It's quick. He gets the ball out. He has a nice quick release.

He also has incredible arm strength. And we say arm strength, but velocity is really what matters. Yeah, Levis can throw the ball far downfield, but more importantly, he can quickly throw the ball into tight windows because he can throw fastballs. He has good running ability as well. No, he's not Lamar Jackson. He's not Jalen Hurts. He's not Mike Vick out there, but he does have maybe the running ability of a Josh Allen. Maybe he could give them a little bit of that. He hurdles defenders. He jukes defenders. He runs with strength and power. He's going to be able to utilize his legs to help the Titans. Okay. So those are positives. Also, everyone who's been around the guy says he's incredibly tough. He's going to play through injuries.

And if you watch on tape, he's going to hang in there and deliver the ball even if someone's barreling down on him to hit him. He is a tough player, and that'll matter in the locker room. Financially speaking, the Titans can move off of Ryan Tannehill now. They can save $18 million by getting rid of Tannehill, and we'll talk about that more in a second, but I think that's what the Titans need to do. So you save money there, and that allows you to have

a little bit more money to play with going forward. Their scheme familiarity, at the end of the day, Will Levis played in a pro-style offense at Kentucky that is very similar to what the Titans do in their offense. And the other day when Rand Carthon was talking, I believe it was on Monday in the pre-draft conference, he said that what they look for most is things that you did in college that actually translate to what they do in their system.

And I put out a tweet that day saying, hey, I know that we don't like Will Levis, but Rand Carthon is telling you right there that the Titans like to see guys do things within their scheme in college that they're going to do in the scheme with the Titans. And the play-action-heavy, run-first offense that they had in Kentucky that was built in 2021

by Liam Cohen, who is actually a Sean McVay descendant, which obviously that's what the Titans got their offensive system from. So all of that comes in together. So that is all positives. And let me just say this. Will Levis has potential to be really good. There's a lot of downside.

There's a lot of risk. There's a lot of cons, which we're getting ready to go really good. There's a lot of downside. There's a lot of risk. There's a lot of cons, which we're getting ready to go through them. But we have to calm down a little bit and stop acting like the guy doesn't have any positive traits. He doesn't have any potential upside. That's simply not the case. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I'm a big fan of the pick and I'm a big fan of Will Levis and I think he's going to be good. You guys know who have watched the show my everydayers out there you know that I've been saying throughout the draft process

I'm not a big fan of his game. But at the end of the day it's not my pick and all of the things that we just talked about are positive traits that he has that could end up making him great. It's possible. It is possible even if I don't think it's likely

because he's got terrible footwork. His mechanics and the way that his feet are pointing when he throws balls and how he adjusts his feet to where he needs to throw the ball is just not there. And that's why some people think that he's a project. He doesn't process things quickly.

He has the tendency to lock on to receivers, not go through his progressions. And when your feet aren't in the right place, you're going to be inaccurate. And when you're slow to make decisions in the pocket, you're going to make bad decisions. And all of that inaccuracy and poor decisions turns into turnovers.

He doesn't have great pocket movement at all. He doesn't have instincts in turnovers. He doesn't have great pocket movement at all. He doesn't have instincts in the pocket. He doesn't feel the rush pressure step up into the right lanes to deliver passes. He has a tendency to run into the back of his offensive line. Even when he has a clean pocket, he just does not have good instincts in the pocket. And my God, I feel like I'm describing Ryan Tannehill right now. He's a bit too reckless as a runner. When he does run, he's got to learn to get down. He's a bit too reckless as a runner when he does run. He's got to learn to get down. He's not going to be the biggest boy on the field anymore

like he was in college. And the Titans are all about yards after catch. They want to throw the ball to receivers and have them catch the ball and be able to get on the move and get on the run. Will Levis' ball placement is just not there. He puts guys in bad positions more often than neutral positions when it comes to' ball placement is just not there. He puts guys in bad positions more often than neutral positions

when it comes to the ball placement. I mean, I've gone through the positives. I've gone through the negatives. I can see why they did it. I can see why they liked what they saw on tape. I can see why they thought the price to trade up with the Cardinals to 33 wasn't that high. I get all of that.

I really do. I really do. I really do. But there's a lot of risk here as well and a lot of development that needs to happen from Levis for him to ever become something that the Titans are going to be happy about. So the question then becomes, what about Ryan Tannehill?

I think, you know, you cut him, you trade him, you keep him. If you can trade him, you do. I think you cut him. I think this is the end for Malik Willis. Malik Willis is gone. But I've been telling you guys that since, you know, the Cowboys game, honestly, because it was obvious Mike Braywell gave up on the kid at that time.

But those are conversations that we can save for another day. Will Levis is a Tennessee Titan, a controversial start, and the controversy continues. We need to talk about the Titans' second pick of the day, Will Levis is a Tennessee Titan. A controversial start, and the controversy continues. We need to talk about the Titans' second pick of the day, running back Tajay Spears, who I like a lot, but have you guys heard about his knee? Oh. My. God. We're going to get into that in just a moment.

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That's LOCKEDON in all caps. Make sure that you check it out today. Go to ultimate-gm.com or just look it up in your app store on your phone. That's ultimate-gm.com. The ultimate pro football GM. Start your dynasty today. Titans fans, we are going to continue today's edition of the Locked on Titans podcast, a live breakdown of day two of the 2023 NFL draft. The Tennessee Titans pick Will Levis after they trade up to pick number 33.

Then they follow it up with Tajay Spears, the running back out of Tulane. And all I got to say is it's a controversial day, folks. The trade up, taking Levis, who the fan base, I mean, I would say 80% of the fan base did not want Will Levis. It might even be 85%. I mean, dare we say 90%. Either way, all I know is a large majority of the Titans fan base did not want Will Levis. I was included in that as well. I mean, I know I went over the positives, but I'm just trying to be as honest as possible and try to figure out what the Titans are seeing. But either way, they take Will Levis with a trade up

and then they take a running back? A running back? I knew that the Titans were going to look at running backs in this draft. We saw them have interest in them when it comes to the things you can track. Also, with all of the talk about trading Derrick Henry, I don't think Derrick Henry gets traded, but it's obvious the Titans are thinking about life after Henry

now. And they need to. So, not surprised that the Titans took a running back, but not having a wide receiver and taking a running back, if the Titans the Titans took a running back but not having a wide receiver and taking a running back if the Titans would have taken a running back on day three and had a wide receiver in tow

then I would understand it but trading up to take Levis and then following it up with a running back that's wild now I do got to say this I like Tajay Spears I really do Tajay Spears is quick

he's agile he's going to be great in a zone run scheme where he's able to make one cuts I like Tajay Spears. I really do. Tajay Spears is quick. He's agile. He's going to be great in a zone run scheme where he's able to make one cuts and uses agility to get through holes. He's a guy who can help the Titans out of the backfield as a receiver as well. That's something he's going to be able to do. And he's great in pass protection.

He's a guy who's willing to get in there and block next to the quarterback, which means the Titans are going to put him in the Dontrell Hilliard role. And I like him as a compliment to Derrick Henry, but Ram Carthon already said tonight that they see Tajay Spears as a three down running back, which means that when Henry does move on, the Titans could use Tajay Spears as their lead back. And no, he's not going to be the workhorse that Derrick Henry is, but after Derrick Henry's gone, the Titans are going to do what most of the other teams in the NFL do and have a committee at running back. And if you had Tajay Spears as one of the lead backs

in your committee and you pair him with a power back and then a utility back and like all the rest of the teams in the NFL do, then you might have a decent group. But, but as I teased earlier, Tajay Spears doesn't have an ACL in his knee. He had two ACL tears in college. Some people are saying that he has arthritis in the knee. Ian Rappaport on NFL Network was comparing Tajay Spears to Jay Ajayi because he's probably only going to be a guy who can play for one contract. He's probably going to be able to play on his rookie contract and then his knee is going to be ruined. Now that freaks a lot of people out and I see a lot of you guys upset about that situation. Well, all I can tell you is this.

Mike Vrabel said that they feel comfortable with the knee. And let me tell you why I think that Mike Vrabel's telling the truth, even if that means that they're only going to have Spears on a one-year contract. Guys, when Derrick Henry is gone, we're probably only going to have running backs for their rookie contract that's what most of the NFL is doing you get a running back

you run them down through their rookie contract and then you draft another one you don't give running backs second contracts so to me I know that everybody is upset that Tajay Spears may only be a one-contract running back, but I don't care about that because the Titans should only have one-contract running backs going forward after Derrick Henry is gone. The Titans have to evolve and get smarter,

and the rest of the NFL, the best teams in the NFL, are doing it with running back by committee. So who cares if Tajay Spears only plays for five years and then he can't play anymore. If they're five productive years with the Titans, then we draft another guy again in the mid rounds, then perfect. That's what they're going to be doing going forward.

So I'm not as upset about the Tajay Spears pick as maybe some other people are. But here's what I will say. Man, coming out of day two with Will Levison, a running back, and no wide receivers is tough to sell this fan base. It surely is. I mean, that's tough, man. I don't know what else to say to you.

Everybody is, you know, telling me, and look, I know a lot of you guys hate when I do this, and I don't want to pat myself on the back too much, but, but, everyone was telling me on Twitter and here on the show that I was overreacting when I was upset about NWI and Chris Moore

being the only wide receivers that the Titans have brought in. I was overreacting. I was upset about NWI and Chris Moore being the only wide receivers that the Titans have brought in. I was overreacting. It's no big deal. Wait until the draft. Well, I told you guys the Titans aren't going to care about wide receiver and Chris Moore and NWI are going to be your starters. Moore and NWI are going to be your starters. Talking about NWI and Chris Moore being the fifth and sixth wide receiver. No, they're going to be two and three. I mean,

team just doesn't care about wide receiver. They didn't think it was important to address it this year. Apparently they're just going to save it to next year. All right, go ahead. But, man, any of the receivers that they get from here at 147, I don't know, man. I don't know if that's going to really do much. Basically, any wide receiver that they get from here on out is the draft version of Chris Moore and Nick Westbrook-Akene.

Right? Like, we're going to be getting a wide receiver in the fifth or sixth round who is, what, Des Fitzpatrick? Racey McMath? I mean, we're not getting anybody who's actually going to be able to play. So, yeah, they just, they said,

hey, we don't, we don't care about wide receiver. So, maybe that DeAndre Hopkins trade is coming around the corner. I doubt it, but hey, maybe. But either way, I just want you guys to know, I tried to warn you about this receiver issue. And I could see why trading up to get Levis and drafting a running back with injury issues could make Titans fans feel a certain way.

So I understand if you're not super happy right now about the way day two went. But, but, but, with that in mind, with that in mind, we got to move forward. We got to look ahead, folks. We got to look ahead. Who's available still? What picks do the Titans have tomorrow? What do they still need to get? I'm going to go over all of it in just a moment. Before I do, I want to let you guys know about the best protein

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We're diving into all of that. We started off talking about that trade up for Will Levis. I don't think the trade was really that expensive. Not really that worried about the trade. Levis, it's a boom or bust situation. He definitely has high-end potential, but there's a lot of risk there and a lot to clean up. And the Dominoes with Tannehill and Malik Willis going forward,

going to be interesting to talk about. Talked about Tajay Spears, why I'm not as concerned with that injury history. Titans probably only need him for one contract, and then they can draft another guy anyways. You don't give running back second contracts in today's NFL. I'm not that worried about that. But I understand if some of you guys are upset,

but maybe what the Titans do going forward will help you guys feel a little less upset. So we'll get into that. Before we do, thank you guys for making the Locked on Titans podcast your first listen every day. Monday through Friday Tennessee Titans content all year round on all platforms

and always for free. Make sure you get subscribed and stay subscribed to the Locked on Titans podcast. I'm going to have breakdowns of every pick every selection. Another 30 minute recap tomorrow. We're going to be breaking down these picks throughout the coming weeks as well, getting into OTAs, getting into organized team activities, which is OTAs, but getting into mini-camp,

training camps right around the corner, so make sure that you guys stay locked on to the Locked on Titans podcast, part of the Locked on podcast network, your team, every day. But looking at what the Titans have coming up next, they have picked 147 in the fifth round. They have picked 186 in the sixth round. And they have picked 228 in the seventh round. I'm looking at wide

receiver. The Titans have to be looking at wide receiver, right? Right? Right? They have to. Anyways, Tyler Scott from Cincinnati would be a great option. He met with the Titans a ton in the pre-draft process he could play inside he could play outside

he's a late convert he was a running back quarterback style guy and they converted him to wide receiver so he's a guy who needs some development but if you tap untapped that potential or tap that potential you could find yourself with a really really solid number two wide receiver.

Charlie Jones. Charlie Jones from Purdue has a ton of speed, great punt return ability. I think he could make a lot of sense for the Titans. A.T. Perry from Wake Forest. Monster guy, 6'3", big bodied. He can go over the top. I think he's a solid player.

Maybe he'll be available for the Titans. Xavier Hutchinson from Iowa State, another big-bodied guy who has a lot of physical traits. Trey Palmer out of Nebraska, an explosive guy who may not be the biggest guy, but he's got a ton of speed. Dontavian Wicks from Virginia is another big-bodied ex-guy. And then one of the guys that I really liked during the pre-draft process is

Bryce Ford Wheaton. He reminds me of George Pickens a little bit, kind of a discount George Pickens, thin, tall, long, wide receiver can go over top. I wrote down Skywalker in my notes when I was scouting him during the

pre-draft process. I love Bryce Ford Wheaton. Titans probably be able to get ahold of him at 147. So those are options at wide receiver. At tight end, Josh Weil from Cincinnati, Zach Kuntz. I think it's Old Dominion for Zach Kuntz. Payne Durham from Purdue could make a lot of sense as a guy that can be their third tight end this year, and they can groom to eventually take over for Trevon Wesco. Those could make some sense for the Titans. On the offensive line, DeJuan Jones, the monster

offensive tackle from Ohio State, still on the board. If the Titans see Skowronski as a guard, like in their heart of hearts, and they want an offensive tackle, maybe that makes sense. Chandler Zavala at guard could make some sense. And honestly, at this point in the draft,

I would love to take a chance on Andre Voorhees. Andre Voorhees is a guard from USC. He tore his ACL during the combine. I think that could make a lot of sense. Honestly, I think the Titans probably pick two defensive players tomorrow. They'll get a safety and a linebacker who are meant to be special teams players, but I think they have so many needs on offenses that they can't just take special teams players.

They need to go maybe take some project wide receivers, take some project tight ends. Again, Andrew Voorhees could make a lot of sense for him as well, even though he's coming off the ACL and won't be available this year. I mean, those are some options. Those are what they can do. So, I understand if you guys aren't satisfied with

what's happened today. We'll see what they do tomorrow, but definitely a controversial draft for the Titans. Absolutely. But that's going to do it for me today, folks. Remember, subscribe. Hit the thumbs up button if you're watching right now. I really appreciate it.

It's midnight where I'm at. Been grinding for days. If you wouldn't mind, throw a thumbs up just to show some support. I appreciate you guys. I'm going to be breaking down every pick tomorrow. Doing a full breakdown tomorrow night. Going to have shows Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, all the way through.

Breaking down all of the draft content that you could ever want. That's going to do it for me today, folks. As always, I am your host, Tyler Rowland, and this was Locked on Titans.