It’s no secret that the Tennessee Titans’ offensive line struggled mightily in the 2023 season.
Titans quarterbacks were sacked 64 times, which was 15 more than the year prior and tied for the fourth-most in the NFL. Only the Carolina Panthers (65), Washington Commanders (65), and New York Giants (85) allowed more.
Added, the Titans allowed the second-highest sack rate (11.5%) in the league, with the Giants (14.1%) being the only team to sport a worse mark.
After the regular season’s conclusion, Pro Football Network ranked the Titans’ offensive line dead-last in the league, noting Andre Dillard’s first season in Nashville being a significant letdown after signing a lucrative three-year, $29 million contract in the offseason.
According to Pro Football Focus, the former Philadelphia Eagle was responsible for 12 sacks allowed.
It certainly did not help that the Titans were rotating Dillard and rookie tackle Jaelyn Duncan, providing no consistency for anyone. Still, both players left a lot to be desired.
Peter Skoronski, the 11th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, was perhaps the lone bright spot along the Titans’ offensive line, but there is no question that the position needs to be addressed this offseason.
Thankfully, the Titans hold the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft, where they should have a plethora of options to grab a player they can plug in immediately.
While not an ideal position to be in, the Titans find themselves in the perfect year to be rebuilding their offensive line through the draft, as NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes this year provides plenty of options throughout the draft for Tennessee to advance its rebuild.
If you need to remake your offensive line, this draft is going to provide that opportunity. Talent and depth is there to make a major impact next year.
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 5, 2024
If picks one through six are filled out by offensive skill players, Tennessee could have their crack at Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, arguably the best offensive tackle prospect in the entire draft.
Alt played in 12 games for the Irish last season, allowing just one sack and two quarterback hurries, according to PFF. The junior was given a 90.7 grade for his 2023 season. Alt played all three years at Notre Dame at the left tackle position, allowing just four sacks during that stretch.
Other options that the Titans can consider with the No. 7 overall pick should Alt be taken by one of the teams within the top six:
- Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
- Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
- Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
Should the Titans wish to address the guard position in the second round with the 38th overall pick, some names to keep close tabs on include:
- Graham Barton, G, Duke
- Cooper Beebe, G, Kansas State
- Kingsley Suamataia, G, BYU
And, if this draft is as deep at offensive line as Jeremiah states, Tennessee might be able to find some gems after their first two picks, although they’re lacking a third-round selection.
