Locked On Titans - Daily Podcast On The Tennessee Titans - Titans Squad Show: Titans OPEN TO LOVE, Mock Draft SQUAD EDITION

Episode Date: March 7, 2026

Could the Tennessee Titans shock the NFL and take a running back at No. 4 overall? On today’s episode, we dive deep into the polarizing possibility of Jeremiyah Love landing in Nashville. We also go... round-by-round for the "Two-Tone Blue." From the high-stakes 1st rounder to the Day 3 sleepers, find out exactly who we have the Titans drafting to fix the roster. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! TurboTaxThis year you’re getting a major upgrade — Intuit TurboTax now has in-person locations nationwide. Visit http://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel FanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at http://BetterHelp.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) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcript
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Starting point is 00:00:00 I'm Julian Minnensohn. You know, it took me a little bit, but I'm open to love. Jeremiah love, that is. Oh, boy. I'm Kayla Anderson. It is mock draft season. And maybe my mock will surprise you, but maybe it won't with who I took, number one, overall. And I'm Brad Hopkins. I actually shocked myself at how well I played the role of general manager in my mom's draft. Let's get into it. Titan up. It's the Titan Squad, everything Tennessee Titans every week. Covering all the big hits and game-changing plays from the heart of Music City, the way only the locked-on podcast network can. Squad up, the Titan Squad Show starts now. And welcome to the Titan Squad Show. As you heard off the top right there,
Starting point is 00:00:48 I'm Julian Minneson alongside Kayla Anderson and Brad Hopkins. Today's episode is brought to you by Game Time. download the GameTime app, create an account, and use code locked on for $20 off your first purchase. And now my esteemed guests here with me, I put them through a little bit of an exercise, especially as we're getting ready for the new league year. Yes, Brad, that is you. You are esteemed, Brad, legend, I might add. With the new league year starting next week, obviously we're going to be busy with Titan signings and new faces to the team, who they want to bring in to help.
Starting point is 00:01:25 this roster in 2026. But until we get to that point, I wanted to do a little bit of a mock draft. We're still kind of fresh off that combine and wondering what the Titans are going to do, not just at four, but with the rest of their picks. So we each went to PFSN and did a little mock draft, and we have them for you guys today. For a viewing audience, we're going to put up each of our picks on the screen. And for our audio listeners, we'll just read through each of our draft picks. And we're going to start with Bhop on this one. So Bhop, I'm going to pull up your draft right now. You just did this fresh today.
Starting point is 00:02:00 And the first thing I notice is you're open to love Bhop. Yeah. Yeah, and the thing is, we talked about this earlier. I don't think the Titans could actually go wrong with the number four pick, especially with the ones that they've been projected to take. I mean, you wouldn't have a bad draft if you took David Bailey number four. He's certainly qualified as one of the. the more outstanding edge rushers in this draft.
Starting point is 00:02:26 But when you start thinking about the generational talent aspect of it, the way that Titans' offenses have been built traditionally from the ground up, meaning the running back position, Jeremiah Love is one of those guys that might be synonymous with an Eddie George, a Chris Johnson, a Derek Henry. The lineage of running backs is what I'm trying to say. Soft hands, tough runner, just unbelievable competitor. and what we saw at the combine kind of solidified his position is at least the point of the top three,
Starting point is 00:02:58 regardless of position, picks in this draft. So he were available at number four. I think the Titans would actually steal it and start a new generation of Titans football. The rest of your picks, we're going to go one by one here because each of the segments will have each of our draft. So Behoff will be first. Kayla will be in the second segment and then I'll be at third. So you have Jeremiah Love fourth overall. Then 35, you go wide receiver with Chris Bell.
Starting point is 00:03:22 Louisville. Yeah. Now, the thing is I did three of these dress. And what a cool concept, by the way. We'll talk about the platform of which we actually did our draft because being able to, I actually got so wrapped up into getting a player that I wanted, but the legitimacy is they might not be there because there are other players that are picking, other teams that are picking. So when you take that in consideration, a guy you might think might be there, it's now onto the next guy. And if it's not that position, if in other words, the next guy at the position isn't worthy of a pick that you think you're going to, that you have a mat, then you've got to maybe go to a different position. So it was really cool to watch this whole thing. And Chris Bell came up second
Starting point is 00:04:04 for me in two of my drafts. So I was thinking something, there must be something about this guy. You know what I mean? He brings that. He must be a really pristine route runner because he's not going to get away with you, get away from you with speed. Got a tremendous catch radius. And he's a tough do. So I like him as an impact receiver at number two, someone that can kind of help add some depth and challenge some of those fourth rounders from last year. Your third round pick at 66th overall, Drew Shelton out of Penn State. I guess I shouldn't be shocked. You're going with a offensive lineman that hot. Got to get some linemen in there, man. You know, and the thing is, I watched, you know, Kayla, Julian. I watched some of the guys
Starting point is 00:04:42 I would have loved to have had come to Tennessee. Not that I wouldn't want Drew Shelton to come, but I would have wanted a Caden Proctor. I would have wanted, you know, a Spencer Finner. It was one of those guys, the higher up echelon, the Francis, Francis, Maanoa, those kind of guys. But Drew checks off a lot of boxes, big, big 10 linemen, you know, a guy that does well mirroring edge rushers. And I'm just reading his stats here. Run blocking may be a little inconsistent, but that's what the league is for to get developed into that guy, right? But he checks off a lot of other boxes for the measurables.
Starting point is 00:05:13 I'll go on to, I'll help you out here. Malik Muhammad, another dude. thought, okay, so Malik, when you look at it, he wasn't one of those guys that's going to be like, while you with the cover stuff, but he's going to sting you in the run game, you know, a real physical cat. Where Devin Moore, the 141st pick, he's more of the guy that's going to be in your grill. He can neutralize your top option because he's able to athletically mirror that kind of guy, you know, so I really liked him. And Jade Roberts, he's just a mauler. He's just a dude that you don't want to be messing around with in the bar, man. You know, you're going to throw you out the club, you know, that kind of guy.
Starting point is 00:05:47 that's his presence. And I think that, you know, when I looked at Cyrus Allen, too, at number seven, which I thought was kind of, when you start getting into 184 picks and whatever, start jockeying things around, right? So I saw his smooth athletic ability, you know, natural ball tracking, that kind of stuff. Those kind of checked off a box for me late in the round. And I had to grab me a tight end, too, Kail. Oh, yeah.
Starting point is 00:06:10 Adding some depth to Gunnar Helm, Chigua. David Martin Robinson is another guy on there, but they got to have some guys. And I figured the Alabama tight end would make sense. And you know, me and my linemen, right? So I got stacked shells with some big guys. Cade and Miami, an interior guy. I thought it really made an impact for that program. So I didn't do, I thought too shabby grabbing a few linemen,
Starting point is 00:06:32 a couple of receivers, a couple of corners, starting the draft with running back, which I really didn't. I wouldn't have picked the running back if it weren't Jeremiah Love. Let's just say that. And that's my draft. Kayla, where are your thoughts on B.Hop's picks as we have them here? Let me just read them off one more time before you get into it, Kayla, with the audio audience here.
Starting point is 00:06:50 We got Jeremiah Love at fourth overall. Chris Bell, the Louisville receiver at 35, Drew Shelton, Penn State, tackle at 66. Then he goes back-to-back corners in Malik Mohamed and Devin Moore, Texas and Florida. Jayden Roberts, 143. Cyrus Allen, the receiver, Cincinnati, 184, goes Josh Quavis, tied into Alabama, 194, and then rounding it out with another offensive line in the guard out of Wyoming, Caden Bar-Nette. Kayla.
Starting point is 00:07:14 Yeah, no, I like it, Bihob. first of all let's start with Jeremiah Love, who, you know, obviously these earlier picks we know more about and right now, at least in the process. And those are the value picks, right? Those are the guys that you're hoping that they get right in, they're plugged right in and can play right away. And Jeremiah Love is definitely one of those guys. I think it was the last podcast that we did with each other where someone brought up the name Christian McCaffrey and not saying that Jeremiah Love is going to be Christian McCaffrey. But CMC and watching here in particular this year with the 49ers, he was asked to do a lot in terms of more than just the run game and the past game as well, which I know Jeremiah Love has the ability to do that. Being able to have a versatile back like that, you can't go wrong with. And I know right now the Titans have their backs, but you're looking bigger picture, right? And this is a guy that has all the qualities that can be a weapon for Cam Ward, whether it's helping Cam relieve some things with the.
Starting point is 00:08:16 run game or find him as a past catcher as well. So I can't fault you on that. I would not hate it if Love went to Tennessee, even though there are some more needs there. Obviously, back-to-back corners. I like it. I did that in my draft as well, Brad. And I think the reasoning for that is because I'm having cornerback fatigue.
Starting point is 00:08:37 The Tennessee Titans have had so many issues with depth at cornerback. And they've tried to bring guys over. Clearly, that's not worked out, i.e. Sneed. They just can't seem to find their footing back there. No pun intended. And I feel like this is a draft where maybe you can go and get a couple of these guys. And look, even if it's a depth piece, one of them ends up being a starter. The other's a depth piece.
Starting point is 00:09:02 That's a win because they've been so depleted there. The one thing I'll ask you, Bhop is where is your edge player? I was just going to say Bhop. I was just going to say the edge player because all offseason long, we've talked about Titans getting an edge. Did you have maybe in mind that they get an edge in free agency and then, and then forego one in the draft? Look at the smart guy, the big brain on you.
Starting point is 00:09:28 I'm thinking at the end of the day, Amy's got all of this money, right? There's no way in the world she lets Trey Hendrickson and Max Crosby get away. Max might make it down to Dallas. I think that Jerry's been talking about that. Kind of can't even keep a secret, really. So if he actually ends up working a deal out with Las Vegas, you can definitely see. him replacing Micah Parsons, which is just kind of weird in its own way, you know, like, why you just keep them?
Starting point is 00:09:52 But if we could get a Troy Hendrickson, which I'm kind of thinking, man, Cincinnati sucks. Nashville would love to have it. You know what I mean? And I'm not talking about the team. I'm talking about the city. Who cares about Ohio, man? Come on down here. Couple up with Jeffrey Simmons.
Starting point is 00:10:10 That's what we need. And I think that it might be what the Titans are thinking as well. I would love to see Jeffrey Simmons. get some help because seeing him get a career year with 11 sacks without any help was something to see and now get an experienced pass rusher next to him man with robert sola too on defense should be exciting to see okay on the other side of the break we're going to go to cala's mock draft she teased it a little bit maybe have some similarities to brad but maybe some big differences as well that's going to be next on the titan squatch show don't go anywhere all right we live in a world where we can
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Starting point is 00:11:24 Terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem code L-O-C-E-D-O-N for $20 off download GameTime today. All right, we're going to go to Kayla's mock draft now. So if you're with us on YouTube live, we'd love to have you here, comment, subscribe, all that fun stuff. Maybe we'll get to some of your suggestions for our drafts and some feedback in the show. Kayla, I'll have you have the floor now. Yeah. So, and clearly you can see I did some wheeling and dealing, if you know what I mean.
Starting point is 00:12:02 I'm always about, you know, like for Gonzi, I feel like, likes to say, like you want as many guys as you can, right? And you want to look forward to the future too. So you can see I've done some wheeling and dealing. I even picked up a 2027 Las Vegas third round pick. So I'm not only looking at this year. I'm looking at the future as well. I think I got some pretty good value in here. So I'll start with my number four overall pick.
Starting point is 00:12:28 If you watched the podcast last week, no surprise here that I am going with my guy, David Bailey, the edge out of Texas Tech. I'm just one of those people that once I get stuck on someone, he kind of becomes my guy. And then I try to put it out there in the world and have it come back. whether that's going to happen or not for the Titans this season, I don't know. But I do feel like David Bailey is a guy that you could instantly plug in and you're going
Starting point is 00:12:57 to see something out of him. You're going to get production out of him. And why is that? Well, the guy spent three years at Stanford. So first of all, he has the brains, which I know I've mentioned this before. Mike Borganzi seems to have a theme when he drafts players. And a lot of the players he drafts are very smart football. players. So yes, what they do on the field athletically matters, but also how they're preparing
Starting point is 00:13:23 every day for a game or every week for a game and just how they go about their business and how they carry themselves. I think is important for what Mike Borganzi is looking for in a culture as well. So this is a guy who went to Stanford before he went to tech where he just pretty much like solidified what he was as an edge. He had 14 and a half sacks this season at tech. And I just think like just this guy coming off the edge with the past, like the the moves that he has. Like we talked about this last weekend, Brad, I think it was it was you that brought it up in terms of some of the moves that he already has in his arsenal. And I feel like he can probably add some of that too. But I think this is a guy that just straight up fits what coach is looking for in terms of an aggressive player,
Starting point is 00:14:15 the length and the speed coming off the edge. It's naturally a fit for me for Sala and this defense specifically. And again, you've been wanting this production from the Titans for so long at that edge position because it's one thing to have a quarterback, but you also have to have the guy that disrupts the quarterback. And I think that you'd be getting that in David Bailey. Yeah. You went receiver for your next pick, but it looks like you made a trade right there.
Starting point is 00:14:43 Yeah, that was a trade that I was a trade that I. believe, and I can't remember exactly every trade and who it was with, but I do believe that was with Cincinnati. And honestly, they had just switched about two positions for this. So I did, I did not, I did not go down much in order to go to 41 and get Denzel Boston, Boston, the wide receiver out of the, the school I don't prefer to mention much, but that is the school of Washington. I'm a Washington State girl. So it's always hard for me to pick those Washington players. But what I'll say about this is we clearly are in the, I guess, era of we've got to find these wide receivers that you can allow to grow with your future quarterback in Cam Ward. Like you want these
Starting point is 00:15:33 young receivers to grow with camp. And we saw it last year with Jim Dike and Elyke and Ehrlich Iow Manor. and we've seen some progress, especially towards the end of the year. But I think adding a bigger body like Denzel Boston, he's 6, 4, 212, I think is a value pick at that spot. He is perfect when it comes to that big X boundary wide receiver type of player. I think Tennessee needs a guy like that. He gives him a little bit of a different skill set, like I said, than the two other younger wide receivers at that position. And just because of his body, I mentioned his weight. He has a really natural wide catch radius.
Starting point is 00:16:15 He's good in contested situations. I think those are all the things that you would like in a wide receiver in terms of them coming to Tennessee and being another weapon for the young Cam Ward. Then you go with cornerback back to back, similar to what Brad did, but you go Will Lee, Texas A&M, and then has a key of masses from Cal at 67 and 101. Yeah, and these, it's interesting. Similar in size are, are these two corners. And it's interesting nowadays, like corners can vary from as small as like 5'8 and they can,
Starting point is 00:16:50 they can be up to 6, 3, whatever. But these guys are kind of right in the middle at that 6-1 position. I'll start with Will Lee. This is a guy, 6-1-189. You had mentioned out of Texas A&M. I think his man coverage is what is like sticks out to me. he has the tools and techniques to be a complete shutdown corner. And I think that that's what the Titans have been looking for,
Starting point is 00:17:16 wanted to have in a guy like Legerius Sneed doesn't seem to have worked out there. He's long, athletic. I love that he can mirror the receiver's movements. I think that's a big bonus in a guy like this. He has good eyes in terms of tracking down the ball. So I like this guy a lot. And the reason why I went with another corner again in Massis at 101 was because I just feel like, again, if you have a guy that has some value there, at least he can be a guy who can be a depth player and grow in your system. He had a lot of production at Cal last year.
Starting point is 00:17:56 I think he was like one of the most productive corners in the country, to be fair. He is scheme versatility. Again, played a lot of football. I like he's a smooth back peddler, comfortable in vertical, in vertical planes when it comes to carrying following receivers. So I think this is a guy as well. It's a little bit different, but in terms of body, 6-1, 180, about the same size,
Starting point is 00:18:25 I just am trying to add depth at that position because I just think it's got to happen at some point. We've ignored that position. for like two years. It's about time that we find some guys in the draft. And then you go tight in here, a big need also for the Titans, especially if they're not going to bring back like a Chicka-Cocco for example, Eli Raritan from Notre Dame. Yeah, I really like Eli. I watched him at the combine and I heard a few interviews with Eli too. First of all, he's a pedigree player in terms of his dad played offensive line at Notre Dame.
Starting point is 00:18:58 He's kind of just has that natural ability in terms of the athleticism. He is 6-6, 245 pounds, but he is a freaking athlete man. I mean, he has good sneaky speed guys and really good ball skills. But the greatest part about it is he's a willing blocker. And honestly, that's what he gets praised for a lot as well. And we all know in this offense, and especially with this line, still kind of like getting fully complete. Like to have a willing blocker and a body like that in terms of Eli Raritan,
Starting point is 00:19:37 I think that that is a bonus right there to have a guy like that you can add it tight in. And it can also be somebody you can utilize in terms of pass catching. And then on the back end, your final three picks include the linebacker of Pittsburgh, Kyle Lewis, Armadreid Adams. You got some offensive line help from Texas Tech. And then you rounded out with some safety help with the. Sean Singleton from Nebraska. Yeah, I always, I feel like at this point of the draft, you're trying to get as much
Starting point is 00:20:04 value as you can, but you don't know exactly what these players are going to be. Let's be honest, right? Some of them can end up making a name for themselves. Others are just going to battle to make the team. But I do feel like Kyle Lewis out of Pitt. First of all, I love Pitt in terms of the players that they produce defensively. That team in college at the college level is known for really putting out some really good defensive players, especially linebackers.
Starting point is 00:20:30 And I think Kyle Lewis, he's a little undersized. He's six feet, 220 pounds. But his grades, especially at the combine, he graded really well. And his athleticism score, I know he had an 86 in the 2026 combine in terms of linebackers. That ranked second amongst all linebackers. I feel like this is a guy that you could have in terms of depth there because we're talking about Cedric Gray and him taking. taking the next, you know, step. You have a couple guys there right now, but why not add a guy
Starting point is 00:21:02 where you could have him, again, grow in this Robert Solid defense and at least see what you can get out of him. And then, yeah, I went with the offensive guard out of Texas A&M. I don't know as much about him. But again, I think interior offensive line, they could add some depth there. You could see if he could develop within the system. I always love guys that played in the SEC. We know what the what's asked of them game in and game out. And so I feel like they're a little bit more prepared sometimes. And then the safety out of Nebraska Singleton, look, the safety position's a concern as well, guys.
Starting point is 00:21:38 And I know we've got a Monty Hooker and stuff, but where is the depth there? There's not a ton of depth. So if you can bring in another young guy and try to develop them, I think that's what I was looking for in terms of that, that 194th pick there. Bhop, real quick, before we go to break, what are your thoughts on Kayla's draft?
Starting point is 00:21:59 Because we have some comments already that Zantku says, I can get behind both of these mock drafts. So they're like, and so what you both have brought to the table. I had, Hasichaya Matt, Matt, masses on my second draft. I also had Denzel Boston. Nice. In my second draft, too. So, and obviously you couldn't go wrong at number four.
Starting point is 00:22:19 David Bailey would be a tremendous pick for the Titans. The only difference for you and I. either was just which year are we ushering in right now? Are we the dominant defense that we know it takes to win a championship or we're going to start controlling the ground like this franchise is done for decades previous? So, you know, six to one, half dozen of another picture boys, and I think they're both great guys. I think no matter how you slice it up, you're going to get a good player if you decide to stay at number four overall. I think that's what we're going to see. Oh, are you trying to be different there, Julie, when you're
Starting point is 00:22:54 You said if you decided to stay in number four. Believe me, I really wanted to trade in the simulator that we used. I got some offers, for example, the chiefs now that they've stockpiled some draft picks. But I decided to stay put. That's all I'm going to say for at least my draft. And we're going to talk about that on the other side of the break here. Don't go anywhere. Let's do it.
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Starting point is 00:23:40 to your TurboTax app on the spot. And just like that, you're done. Your TurboTax expert works to get you every dollar you deserve. And while you get real-time notifications as you go about your day, it's the relief of walking in and meeting a real person and walking out knowing your taxes are being handled right. head to turbotax.com slash local to find a store near you and book your appointment. All right, guys, I guess that leaves up to my mock draft now. I, similar to Bhop, was all about David Bailey.
Starting point is 00:24:14 And I still love David Bailey, right? We were banging the drum for David Bailey all these weeks after the season ended. And we got to see which edges were going to be near the top of the draft. But as you can see, I agree with Bhop. It took me a minute, Bhop, but I got off of the edge talk. And I just, the more I think about Jeremiah Love, and we were talking about this off camera yesterday, B. Hop and I, this franchise has had a lot of success with their running back position. You think of Eddie George. You think of Chris Johnson. You think of Derek Henry. And what better way to usher in the next era of Titans football than with Jeremiah Love. And you think also of, and I know this comparison is going to get made, right? And they still. got to prove it out in the field of Jeremiah Love gets drafted. But Ward and Love, McNair and George,
Starting point is 00:25:09 I mean, it's just eerily similar. And they were taking in back-to-back drafts too. You know, McNair coming from a smaller school, Cam Ward coming from Incarnate Word. Eddie George, Heisman, Jeremiah Love was in the Heisman finalist. I mean, it's just rights itself. Look at you. I just, I don't know if you have any other thoughts on that, B-Hop, because you lived it. But like, it just seems almost too perfect to, like, write a script for a Hollywood ending there. Listen, I'm in my mid-50s. I've been around long enough to realize that, I guess, the repetitiveness of life, right? And so when I look at the stadium that's being built set to open in 2027, it reminds me of when we moved here from Houston and our stadium haven't been built yet.
Starting point is 00:25:58 We were competitive enough to give people a reason to kind of take a flyer. on us, but they weren't really convinced until we opened the door so that brand spanking new stadium. And those players that we drafted, they had invested in Eddie George and Steve McNair, were then just a little older, just a little wiser, which is the exact same situation that could potentially happen with Cam Ward and Jeremiah Luff, if they decided to go that way, because in successive years, they drafted this foundation, this franchise's foundation for the next how many every year, Steve and Eddie Clay here. And I think, that they're set to do it again. We know the potential of Cam Ward. And there's a quiet buzz about
Starting point is 00:26:37 what Brian DeBow is going to be able to transform him into, but let alone throw him someone behind him that will be as equal a threat that makes defensive quarter of a matter. This might be the next dude that we're talking about. And we got him. So I think there's a lot of potential there to establish the same kind of history that used to once exist on the Cumberland. Can I ask one question? I jump in here real quick. You know me, the journalist here, always trying to ask a question. So when it comes to Robert Sala and him being now the head coach, do you think there is anything that you can make of like, hey, he wants to establish his defense coming in here and have his guy kind of to say, hey, this was my first draft and I'm a part of this. I know that Mike
Starting point is 00:27:29 Orgonzi is ultimately the one that makes the decision. But do you feel like that at all can come into play when deciding between like a running back in the offensive side and then, you know, a defensive game changer like a David Bailey? Well, to me, the fact that he would bring in two personalities that have head coaching capability shows his ability to share the spotlight. It doesn't have to necessarily be about him. It doesn't necessarily have to be about a player that could be an impact. player for the style of defense that he's going to employ.
Starting point is 00:28:02 Because at the end of the day, he's going to teach the process, which will then sprinkle over everybody. And I think knowing what you have helps that job easier, right? But at the end of the day, I think that he's looking at the potential of a Jeremiah Love having an huge impact on the most problematic part of this team last year, which was them consistency offensively, right? So you'd hope that a youngsters improve one year or the next. got a lot of draft equity that showed up last year, especially in the middle rounds, to be stars, be starters on this team.
Starting point is 00:28:33 And I think that they're willing and ready to take that next step. So I don't think that Robert Sala would sit around and say, you know what, I'm going to establish my side of the football first. Not saying that you were asking it in that form of fashion, but I think they're going to be nasty regardless, you know what I'm saying? Because the best player on this team is on the defensive side of the football. They just hope they have the offense, have some complimenting players on their side,
Starting point is 00:28:56 so they can be equally as competitive. And to that point, as much as I would love to fill the need of edge, I mean, Jeremiah Love, when you think of best players available and the Titans do just need stars, like you just need more good players. He's the first person that come to mind. And when you think of the edges, there's questions about all three of them. There's no questions to me about Jeremiah Love. And that is why I decided to change my mind and go with him at number four.
Starting point is 00:29:19 Now, I made this draft without free agency in mind. So keep that in mind, right? So that is why I went edge. at 35 with Zion Young. I think he's some of the better value picks you're going to get for an edge if you're passing up on one in the first round. Six and a half sacks, two force fumbles at Missouri last year. He's kind of a hand in the dirt guy, so he's a little bit different from Jermaine Johnson, who you just got in the trade for Tavondres sweat from the Jets. So that's why I go with him at 35. And then I go to 66. As you see, I didn't make any trades either. I go to 66 and
Starting point is 00:29:50 go to Julian Neal out of Arkansas. I think for the round. and what kind of cornerback you can get there. I think Julian Neal fits it. He's 6-2, 200-plus pounds, elite physical traits. He's good at disrupting receivers, solid ball skill. And he played in the SEC. And I do give at least being an SEC country, give those guys a little bit longer leeway to where I'm like,
Starting point is 00:30:16 okay, I think I'm going to take somebody like that. And so you fill your immediate needs. You get the star, the edge, and the cornerback, which I think are like the three biggest needs right now. for the Titans. 101. This was the only pick where I felt a little bit iffy on
Starting point is 00:30:30 because I knew I had to go receiver. I went Malachi Field, 6-4 from Norderdame. The only problem is he doesn't have the top-end speed that you would maybe want in somebody who's 6-4, and we already have an Elyke-o-Manner who is 6-2, not as big,
Starting point is 00:30:46 but he's a combat catch guy. You have Chimd-Dike who is the speedster, but he's not as big. But I just look at when you think of trying to find a top receiver, you think of six foot six one and above right um with speed and and somebody six four Titans don't have somebody at least as a receiver like that right now so that's why I went with malachi fields at 101 and then Bhop as you see with 141 and 143 I went back to back offensive line and Jake Slater one of the bigger one of the better centers in the entire country and if Florida
Starting point is 00:31:17 wasn't that great but he that run game was one of the more redeeming qualities of that Florida team And then Inez Cooper, a guard from Miami who spent multiple years at Miami, which means he played with Cam War. Yeah. So I like it. That's where I go 141, 143. Sam Roush. I went at 184, the tight end out of Stanford. One of the better blocking tight ends.
Starting point is 00:31:40 And obviously that was a frustration with Chigaconko last year is though he was great in the receiving game. As a tight end left a lot to be desired from a blocking perspective. And I think if you're going to have a Jeremiah love, you need to block up front for that dude. So that's why I went with Sam Rosh. And then if you notice 194 linebacker Lander Barton, he is the brother of Cody Barton. Oh, I didn't know that. Spoke with him a little bit at the combine. Now, he's a lot different than Cody.
Starting point is 00:32:07 Cody is a little bit more compact and bigger. Cody's six, I think, six two-ish. And Landers six five, 240 pounds. So he's got a little bit of length on Cody, a little bit of a different player. But football's in their blood. It's been a part of that family. And maybe he'll be a little bit more. more comfortable as a depth piece, you know, with Cody there.
Starting point is 00:32:27 And then I go cornerback again because I think, like you mentioned, Kayla, this team just needs some help in the secondary. And think of the corners they have right now. Like, it's Marcus Harris and like that's it. And so they need some depth pieces in the secondary there. So there's my draft. Very nice. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:32:47 Yeah, I like it. I mean, I took a flyer on Malachi Fields. I also took a look at Lander Barton, Tuesday. So I was curious when I read that they were related. I thought, oh, okay, that's pretty cool. They have two Bartons on the Titans. But, you know, the crazy part about that whole, the simulating of the draft was how real it was in that I might have a player in mind to pick up, right?
Starting point is 00:33:11 And I'm looking at him because I've got the position up and I've got my ranking, who is next in line to be taken, right? And then bam, I watched that guy go out the board. And it was trying to tick me off. So I wonder how emotional these guys are when you think you have somebody in mind. You've done your homework. You looked at the measurables. You like what you see. And you're just sitting there waiting. The next thing, you know, he's off the board. And all that work you just did is gone. You know what I mean? So he's off the door. Now you got trying to find
Starting point is 00:33:35 somebody else. So the thing is real quick, it's matching up. Like I've got pick number 66, right? I'm not going to take like the eighth lineman available because I need alignment if seven of the first ones are gone. So now I've got to move on to somebody else that's worthy of a 66 pick. That's the third best receiver. You see what I'm saying? Now you've got to play these games. So it kind of does become best available while you're thinking about servicing a need, if that makes sense.
Starting point is 00:34:05 It does. That's why I was having this conversation on my radio show the other day about like if you wanted to be in one room in a professional sports at some time, where would you want to be? And mine was obviously the war room on draft day. And just for the fact that that is what they're going through in real time. And they spend months putting their big boards together and trying to be, you know, ready for any situation where the guy does go, like you said. And they're then, okay, what's our next option?
Starting point is 00:34:41 But to be in there and to experience that and probably the adrenaline rush that goes on in that moment or even to see when John Robinson trades away a guy like AJ Brown and Mike Brable is like, what the heck just happened? Like those are the moments that have to be so incredible if you're actually in that room doing that. Indeed. And that was the big part of this. You imagine having to make a million dollar decision too. We were just sweating over it on a fun little draft simulator. It must be pretty intense in those war rooms, that's for sure. On the other side of the break, we're going to answer some questions and some comments about some of the drafts, mock drafts that we put together. We're going to do that next year on the Titan Squad Show.
Starting point is 00:35:27 Go go anywhere. All right, guys. So we have one question. This comes from Paddy Boy 27. Who's the number one free agent you want for the Titans? Kaylee convers. Yeah, so I guess, well, in my imaginary world, so then maybe I could take love too.
Starting point is 00:35:54 That's my dog, by the way, Red. In my imaginary world, I would probably love to have a guy like Max Crosby. I mean, come on. Like, he's the hottest guy out there in terms of free agency. But I'll be a little bit more realistic. I think Linderbaum is probably the guy that you're looking at right now. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:36:17 You don't have a center, a center that at least you feel comfortable can come in right this moment and pick up from where he left off at his last spot and be a solid guy for a younger quarterback. So I think Tyler Linderbaum is going to have to be my guy right now that I would go after in free agency. But again, that comes with a little bit of price. Yeah, he'll be expensive. Behop, who do you like? You can cover up for a center. You don't have to have an all pro. He's a luxury. It would be. But I think Corey Levin is okay. You know, a young guy that can compete with him, maybe in that third round or something like that, if you want to invest that high, not poo-poo in the idea.
Starting point is 00:37:00 But I think what you're on to with Max Crosby would be ideal. I don't think it's going to happen just because I think Jerry's got his sights on him. Yeah. But I think addressing the outside with a veteran, it has to be that way. Do you know why? We've got a two-year window, fellas. We have a two-year window to get to the show. The reason why I say that is because next year you're going to see an improvement for this Titans roster.
Starting point is 00:37:25 It's just going to be way too much attention put on us with the money we're going to spend in free agency and with the new acquisition of coaches that have already got names that are going to draw national attention. So there's going to be improvement. By the time that stadium opens, this thing is going to be at full speed, right? And then it gets blown up because the success of this team is going to bring about other potential suitors that are going to want to pick this team apart for its success. Brian Dayball will be a head coach someplace else. Mark my words.
Starting point is 00:37:56 The better that the Titans do, the more likely Brian Dayball will be a head coach someplace else because they'll start to look at his impression in this offense and be like, dang, the guy's ready to do it again. You might as say, Gus Bradley has another opportunity anytime soon, but there will be a huge difference in who's going to be calling plays for Cam Ward after two years. So you better get it while the getting is good.
Starting point is 00:38:18 And while Jeffrey Simmons is still playing. at a high level as well. So stop screwing around. If you're going to plan a seed, get David Bailey, get Arville Reese, get somebody that's going to make an immediate impact when as soon as they get on the football field. But if you can address that by getting a veteran up front first before you can get to the draft, that's what you need to do. So you don't have a problem B Hop with kind of bringing it. And look, Max is not 30 yet. He's 28 years old. But he, you know, he's going to hit 30 before one of these guys that you draft does. You're cool, though, with bringing in a guy like that. Like you that it's more winning like right now than building potentially for that guy being here for a while.
Starting point is 00:38:56 Yeah. I play with the likes of Sean Jones, William Fuller, Wilbur Marshall, all older. I think they were probably eight, nine years older than me when I first came into the league. So I'm used to a veteran on the outside teaching me. You know what I'm saying? Think about this. The only thing about also the numbers that one of these veterans could put up. But think about them working with your young tackles.
Starting point is 00:39:22 That's what they used to do for me. They'd be like, Brad, you are bending over at the waves, bro. Stop sticking your hands out so soon because that's what I want you to do so that I can do something with your hands. You're not going to be able to reach me. I'm going to knock them down. I'm going to do something to you. They would work with me. These veterans on the other side of the football, these are the same intangibles that can help our young tackles.
Starting point is 00:39:40 When you've got a guy that's willing to share the trade secrets and make them better. Indeed. Yeah. Well, and who better to listen to than Brad Hopkins when it comes to that kind of stuff, too, as well. So I thinking with Titan maximum 239, the CB area is devoid of talent. And that's where I would go in free agency. Alante Taylor is somebody that comes to mind. I was there when the Titans played the Saints this past year. Dude was everywhere.
Starting point is 00:40:10 11 past deflections, a couple of interceptions. And they need a cornerback one. Like the Legerius Snee thing was obviously a failure. And even if you draft early for a cornerback, you're expecting to get some starters, but they're not going to be a CB1 right away. And so whether it is an Alante Taylor, whether it is a Jalen Watson,
Starting point is 00:40:31 your guy from Washington State. Yeah. Like one of those two guys, something like that, I think would be certainly helpful because you want that defense to have as many good players as possible because Robert Saul is just going to make him ascend to the next level to me. me. So that's where I would go. I like that. Just to be a little bit different because I do also agree that we need a center,
Starting point is 00:40:50 a veteran center too. I think a veteran center to have some sort of continuity with Cam Ward, let him have the same guy for a couple years, you know, back-to-back years. And let's see what he can do, especially if they do draft a Jeremiah love. Okay, that'll wrap us up for the show today. Do you have anything else? Actually, Bihab, you were going to say anything? Oh, no, no. I was just going to say, you know, a Lenderbomb acquisition would remind me of when we got Mark Stepnowski from the Cowboys, an established interior offensive lineman that was already, you know, had a lot of accolades behind his name, and he really kind of fortified
Starting point is 00:41:26 the interior. So I said all that, yeah, you know, you can cover them up. You can, but it'd be also nice to have some dudes over just studs up front that people recognize to kick your butt. I think I got so spoiled, Brad. Obviously, I didn't cover you, but on the line, but I got so spoiled having Ben Jones here to cover. And he was just such a solid player and a leader on that line and kind of brought everybody together. So I guess I'm still longing for that person to come back to the Titans or to develop into that type of solid center.
Starting point is 00:41:58 When in doubt, go trenches. That is the advice from the one and only Brad Hopkins. All right. We want to thank you for joining us on the Titans squad show. Make sure to like, comment, subscribe, all of that fun step. Tune into the Lockdown Titans podcast with Tyler. rolling every single day and us twice a week here live on YouTube, Tuesdays and Fridays during the off season.
Starting point is 00:42:16 But for now, I'm Julian Minnesone. That's Kayla Anderson. Brad Hopkins. We'll see you guys next time.

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