In his latest mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Tennessee Titans going with a defensive player with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
With the four top quarterbacks and two top offensive tackles (Paris Johnson and Peter Skoronski), Kiper has the Titans taking a defensive player in Texas Tech edge rusher, Tyree Wilson.
Here’s what Kiper had to say about that:
Tennessee has used free agency to bring in Andre Dillard to play left tackle and Daniel Brunskill to compete for one of the guard positions, which means offensive line is less of a need now. And with Johnson and Skoronski off the board in this scenario, the Titans don’t have to force a lineman here. That’s why I’m in favor of them going after a high-ceiling edge rusher.
Wilson, who is recovering from a broken foot that meant he couldn’t work out at the combine, has elite talent in a 6-foot-6, 271-pound frame. He had 14 sacks over the past two seasons for the Red Raiders, showing excellent burst off the line of scrimmage. For a Tennessee team that just cut Bud Dupree and ranked 27th in percentage of sacks per dropback (5.3%) last season, he’d be an ideal fit. I’m not as high on Wilson’s tape as other people in the league I trust — he’s too inconsistent — but his flashes of brilliance as a pass-rusher make him intriguing.
It has been quite awhile since I’ve seen a defensive player mocked to the Titans, as experts have rightly mocked mostly left tackles and some wide receivers to Tennessee.
I’m personally not a fan of a defensive player in this spot, (especially one coming off a broken foot), but I do understand it given the situation the Titans are in and how this mock shook out.
This year’s wide receiver class is a bit dicey and I’m not sure there are any good enough to take at No. 11. Not to mention, there is thought that most teams will wait until Day 2 to start going after the position.
Several NFL teams feel the value at WR this year will come after round one. They'll be comfortable waiting until day 2.
There isn't a WR in this class considered a lock top-20 pick, but Addison has a chance. https://t.co/GqpHdSDgCT
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 20, 2023
As far as left tackles are concerned, Johnson and Skoronski are the only two tackles worthy of this pick and they’re both off the board here.
I don’t think the addition of Andre Dillard completely precludes the Titans from going with Johnson or Skoronski if they’re available, but I think the signings will stop Tennessee from reaching for one if they aren’t.
While the Titans are already in a good spot (assuming all goes well with injuries) with edge rushers after the addition of Arden Key, Tennessee did lose two of them this offseason in Bud Dupree and DeMarcus Walker.
Adding to that, until Jeffery Simmons gets his contract extension, his future is uncertain in Tennessee, and Denico Autry is entering the final year of his deal and is set to turn 33 in July.
Putting the concerns over his broken foot aside for now, the 6-foot-6, 271-pound edge rusher was a menace upfront the last two years, with 14 sacks and 28 tackles for loss in that span.
Here’s more on Wilson, per NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein:
Long-limbed defender who figures to turn into a full-blown nightmare for opponents if he continues to grow into both his frame and his game. Wilson’s combination of traits and athleticism should yield flashes of dominant play in both phases as he continues to get bigger and stronger. His length and lateral quickness are ingredients for chaos as a back-side run game disruptor. He’s capable of ranging and tackling from distance if the run flows wide. On the flip side, he’s not very instinctive as a run defender and his play demeanor could stand to be a little thornier when attacking blocks. Wilson has the physical tools to create pocket push as a power rusher early on, but the hand usage and rush plan will need tutoring for him to become a well-rounded, two-way rusher. He might not set the world on fire in Year 1, but the talent and vaulted ceiling will be easy to see soon enough.
While I would still be comfortable betting on the Titans taking a left tackle at No. 11, the team doing so will depend on many factors, so don’t be shocked when Tennessee comes away with something else on April 27.
