The Tennessee Titans officially completed their 2023 NFL draft on Saturday after making three selections in the final three rounds.
With those picks, the Titans added tight end Josh Whyle, offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan and wide receiver Colton Dowell, who, by the way, was Tennessee’s only pick at its biggest position of need.
Shortly after each pick was made, our draft analyst Shaun Calderon gave a grade for each pick. Here are his marks for the Day 3 selections:
You can check out all of Calderon’s 2023 NFL draft grades, including his mark for the draft class as a whole, right here. Now, a look at how other experts graded Tennessee’s three Day 3 picks in the 2023 NFL draft.
Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report
TE Josh Whyle: B
Chigoziem Okonkwo’s role with the Tennessee Titans should expand exponentially after a promising rookie year. At the same time, he’s a detached tight end.
An in-line threat is still very much needed. Cincinnati’s Josh Whyle can provide that presence as a 6’6″, 248-pound athlete who’s smooth while working over the middle of the field. He’s not a great point-of-attack blocker, but he’s further along at this point than Okonkwo was entering the league.
OT Jaelyn Duncan: B+
A year ago, the Chicago Bears selected Braxton Jones in the fifth round, only to see him become a Week 1 starter at left tackle. Maryland’s Jaelyn Duncan fell a round later, but he brings the same potential to become a surprise starter for the Tennessee Titans.
WR Colton Dowell: C
The Tennessee Titans waited until the seventh round to finally bring in a wide receiver, and they stayed in-state to do so. Tennessee-Martin’s Colton Dowell is a big (6’3″, 212 lbs) target to pair with Treylon Burks.
The Titans did sign Andre Dillard as a free agent, though they did so after he couldn’t find his way into the starting lineup as a 2019 first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles. The team’s 2023 first-round selection, Peter Skoronski, can take over blindside duties if necessary. However, he has All-Pro potential at guard.
Duncan has the movement skills to be a starting NFL left tackle, and he should have an opportunity to win that job.
Pro Football Focus
TE Josh Whyle: Average
After letting Austin Hooper walk in free agency, Tennessee adds another option at tight end to complement Chigoziem Okonkwo. Whyle has a big frame at 6-foot-7 and will find space over the middle of the field as a receiver, but he isn’t likely going to be a physical, in-line blocker at 248 pounds.
OT Jaelyn Duncan: Good
Duncan has good footwork but can play a bit top-heavy, often struggling to anchor with not enough sand in the pants. He struggles against power, as the big Michigan ends pushed him around a bit, but he’s a great athlete in space and fits very well in this Titans zone scheme. Tennessee has done well to overhaul their offensive line that was desperate for improvements.
WR Colton Dowell: Above average
Dowell is big at 6-foot-3 and earned an 85.2 receiving grade in 2022 with 15.3 yards per reception and 3.00 yards per route run. He’s an explosive downfield threat for Tennessee and stays in-state, adding much-needed depth to the Titans’ wide receiver room.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Grade for all three picks: C
The Titans parted with fourth- and sixth-round picks for receivers Julio Jones and Robert Woods in trades from previous years. Whyle was a good find in the fifth, though, as a potential threat in the red zone and intermediate passing game. The team hopes Duncan can use his athleticism more consistently as he matures.
Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football
TE Josh Whyle: B
Josh Whyle played well last year despite inconsistent quarterback play at Cincinnati in the wake of Desmond Ridder’s departure. Whyle makes sense at this selection, though this doesn’t exactly fill a big need.
OT Jaelyn Duncan: A+
I had Jaelyn Duncan in the first round of my mock draft not too long ago! Duncan isn’t a finished product, but he’s super athletic and possesses a ton of upside. It seems as though he slipped because of character and work ethic concerns, but he’s worth the gamble here.
WR Colton Dowell: B-
Colton Dowell has plus size and hands, but doesn’t have much speed or run-after-the-catch skills. Still, given the Titans’ poor receiving corps, he might be able to make the final roster.
