The Tennessee Titans need to take a long hard look at their offensive line after it struggled in pass protection last season, and one possible avenue they could take to address that is in the 2022 NFL draft.
In the latest mock draft from Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar, the Titans select Northern Iowa offensive tackle, Trevor Penning.
Here’s Farrar’s take:
“In 2021, Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill took 48 sacks (only Joe Burrow had more with 70), and he was pressured on 34.4% of his dropbacks, throwing seven touchdown passes and six interceptions when he was thrown off his ideal spot. Right tackle David Quessenberry was the primary issue in this department, as he allowed a league-high 11 sacks and 60 total pressures. Quessenberry was a decent run-blocker, but if the Titans are going to separate themselves in an AFC that is absolutely stacked at the top, they’ll need better protection than that — and they also need a blocker who can amplify Derrick Henry’s efforts in Tennessee’s power run game.
“Penning, who really became a name during the Senior Bowl with his spirited play style, would be a great fit. He’s a natural road-grader, and he allowed just one sack and 11 total pressures last season. Strength of competition might be an issue in the short term when Penning makes his NFL transition, but he’s got the tools to be an ideal mauling tackle at the next level. As long as Penning maintains his leverage as opposed to looking for a fight, he’ll be fine.”
If Penning is still available at No. 26 overall, the Titans should strongly consider taking him.
The 6-foot-7, 321-pound tackle can play on either side and is a fit in any scheme. Further, he excels in pass protection, something Tennessee could use at right tackle after David Quessenberry led the NFL in sacks allowed.
In 2022, Penning could step into the starting role there right away, and there’s a chance he could be the left tackle of the future once Taylor Lewan is no longer in Nashville.
