Don’t be surprised if the Tennessee Titans trade their top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Titans have two top-100 selections this year: No. 26 (first round) and No. 90 (third round). Since the arrival of general manager Jon Robinson in 2016, Tennessee has had at least three top-100 picks in five of six drafts.
If the Titans trade in the first round, who might be on their radar?
Here’s the fictional third draft of the Tennessean’s first round of the year:
1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Aidan Hutchison, edge, Michigan
Since the Jaguars franchise tagged left tackle Cam Robinson, there’s no debate here. Hutchison, the consensus top prospect in the draft, heads to the Jaguars to bolster their weak passing rush.
2. TRADE! SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (VIA DETROIT LIONS): Malik Willis, quarterback, Liberty
Seahawks get: No. 2 pick, 2023 fourth round
Lions get: No. 9 pick, 2022 third round (No. 72), 2022 fourth round (No. 109), 2023 first round, 2024 second round
The Lions are open to trading the No. 2 pick. And with the departure of Russell Wilson, the Seahawks are moving aggressively for Willis, who could be targeted by the quarterback-needy Panthers and Falcons later in the game. top 10. The additional draft capital received as part of the Wilson deal makes this move viable for Seattle.
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3. HOUSTON TEXANS: Ickey Ekwonu, offensive tackle, NC State
The Texans show their faith in quarterback Davis Mills by getting him some protection.
4. NEW YORK JETS: Drake London, wide receiver, Southern California
The Jets have been connected in recent weeks to top receivers, including Tyreek Hill (who was traded to the Dolphins) and Seahawks star DK Metcalf. They write one of their own at #4.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS: Evan Neal, offensive tackle, Alabama
The Giants need significant improvement up front because they had the 31st offensive line in the NFL last season, according to Football Outsiders. Neal is a day one starter at left or right tackle.
6. TRADE! WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (VIA CAROLINA PANTHERS): Garrett Wilson, wide receiver, Ohio State
Washington gets: No. 6
Carolina gets: pick No. 11, second round in 2022 (pick No. 47), second round in 2023
After trading for Carson Wentz, the Commanders recruited one of the best receivers in the class to partner star Terry McLaurin.
7. NEW YORK GIANTS (VIA CHICAGO BEARS): Kayvon Thibodeaux, edge, Oregon
The Giants need help in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball after tying for 22nd in sacks last season.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS: Chris Olave, wide receiver, Ohio State
The Falcons without Matt Ryan are more excited about the 2023 quarterback class. Rolling with Marcus Mariota as their 2022 starter, Atlanta uses their first pick on a receiver, another big need with Calvin Ridley suspended for the 2022 season and Russell Gage passed. in free agency.
9. DETROIT LIONS (FROM SEATTLE SEAHAWKS VIA DENVER BRONCOS): Travon Walker, Edge, Georgia
The Lions desperately need help. They had 30 sacks last season, the third-fewest in the league.
10. NEW YORK JETS (VIA SEAHAWKS): Jermaine Johnson II, edge, Florida State
After posting 32 sacks last season, the Jets are getting a big boost on the edge from Johnson, the ACC sack leader last season.
11. CAROLINA PANTHERS (VIA WASHINGTON COMMANDERS): Kenny Pickett, quarterback, Pittsburgh
After missing Deshaun Watson’s draft, the Panthers chose Pickett to be their quarterback of the future.
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12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner, cornerback, Cincinnati
With Patrick Peterson re-signed for another year, the former All-Pro could serve as a mentor to Gardner, arguably the best cornerback in the draft.
13. HOUSTON TEXANS (VIA CLEVELAND BROWNS): Kyle Hamilton, security, Notre Dame
After a seemingly disappointing pro day, in addition to playing in a non-premium position, Hamilton – once considered a top five prospect – falls into the draft board.
14. BALTIMORE RAVEN: George Karlaftis, Edge, Purdue
Since Za’Darius Smith reportedly opted out of his free agent contract with the Ravens, adding a passing assist should be a priority for Baltimore.
15. TRADE! KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (FROM PHILADELPHIA EAGLES VIA MIAMI DOLPHINS): Jameson Williams, wide receiver, Alabama
Chiefs Get: 15th Pick
Eagles get: 29 picks, 2023 first round
Kansas City moves up 14 spots to find its long-term replacement for star receiver Tyreek Hill, whom it traded to the Dolphins.
16. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (FROM PHILADELPHIA EAGLES VIA INDIANAPOLIS COLTS): Treylon Burks, wide receiver, Arkansas
New Orleans gets Jameis Winston another outside weapon to team up with Michael Thomas, who didn’t play last season.
17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Trevor Penning, offensive tackle, Northern Iowa
The Chargers need to shore up the good tackle spot.
18. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (VIA NEW ORLEANS SAINTS): Defensive tackle Jordan Davis, Georgia
Eagles starting inside defensive linemen Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave will be unrestricted free agents in 2023.
19. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (VIA PHILADELPHIA EAGLES): Charles Cross, offensive tackle, Mississippi State
The Saints lost left tackle Terron Armstead in free agency to the Dolphins, so they will need to find his replacement.
20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Matt Corral, quarterback, Ole Miss
Mitchell Trubisky could be the Steelers’ starting quarterback for 2022, but he’s not the Steelers’ long-term answer to football’s most important job.
21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Derek Stingley Jr., cornerback, Washington
After losing JC Jackson in free agency, finding a cornerback should be a top priority for the Patriots.
22. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Jahan Dotson, wide receiver, Penn State
Dotson is the best player remaining on the roster at receiver, a much-needed position for Green Bay after trading superstar Davante Adams to Las Vegas.
23. ARIZONA CARDINALS: George Karlaftis, Brim, Purdue
The Cardinals are desperate for help rushing passes with Chandler Jones leaving in free agency.
24. DALLAS COWBOYS: Kenyon Green, guard, Texas A&M
With Connor Williams on his way to Miami, finding a left guard should be a priority for Dallas.
25. BUFFALO BILLS: Andrew Booth Jr., cornerback, Clemson
The Bills are uncertain at cornerback against Tre’Davious White, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament last season.
26. TRADE! DETROIT LIONS (VIA TENNESSEE TITANS): David Ojabo, edge, Michigan
Lions get: 26 picks
Titans get: Pick No. 32, 2022 Third Round (Pick 66)
The Lions trade with the Titans, who get another top-100 pick, and end Ojabo’s slide on the draft boards after tearing his Achilles on Michigan’s pro day last month.
27. TAMPA BAY BUCANIERS: Zion Johnson, guard, Boston College
Even after trading for Shaq Mason, the Bucs still have a vacancy at one of their guard positions.
28. GREEN BAY PACKERS: Boye Mafe, Edge, Minnesota
With the release of Za’Darius Smith and an average passing rush last season (16th in sacks), the Packers took the lead with their second first-round pick.
29. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (OF KANSAS CITY CHIEFS): Nakobe Dean, inside linebacker, Georgia
The Eagles are better available here.
30. KANSAS CITY CHIEF: Kyler Gordon, cornerback, Washington
The Chiefs are strengthening their cornerback room after losing Charvarius Ward in free agency.
31. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Trey McBride, tight end, Colorado State
After losing CJ Uzomah in free agency, Cincinnati takes the first tight end on the board.
32. TENNESSEE TITANS (FROM DETROIT LIONS VIA LOS ANGELES RAMS): Desmond Ridder, quarterback, Cincinnati
The Titans take Ridder looking to 2023 and beyond. General manager Jon Robinson acknowledged to the NFL Scouting Combine last month that Tennessee would begin to consider potential successors to Ryan Tannehill in the 2022 draft class.
Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.