Titans' Top 2023 NFL Draft Targets
After making the playoffs every season from 2019-21, the Tennessee Titans missed out on the postseason in the 2022 NFL campaign. Not only that, but they finished 7-10, marking their first losing season since going 3-13 in 2015.
Because of that performance, Tennessee will get to pick a bit earlier than it had been used to doing in the 2023 NFL draft, which begins Thursday and runs through Friday and Saturday in Kansas City. The Titans, who own six selections, will first be on the clock at No. 11.
The biggest question is whether Tennessee will take a quarterback early. Ryan Tannehill will be 35 when the 2023 season arrives, while Malik Willis struggled as a rookie last year. Do the Titans try to find a new franchise QB in the draft?
Here's a look at several players Tennessee may want to consider targeting with its top selections in the draft.
Will Levis, QB, Kentucky
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There are four top quarterbacks in this year's draft class: Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis. It's possible all four will be off the board by the time the Titans are on the clock.
But ESPN's Matt Miller doesn't think that will be the case. He's projecting Levis to still be available for Tennessee to potentially select.
"Why the slide for Levis? There are concerns among NFL scouts about his age (24) and that his style of play will lead to injuries in the NFL," Miller wrote.
Miller also noted that Levis is "NFL-ready." And the former Wildcats QB has a solid arm. He just needs to work on his accuracy after throwing 23 interceptions in 24 games over the past two years. Still, Levis is an intriguing prospect who the Titans should consider drafting if they have the opportunity to do so.
O'Cyrus Torrence, OG, Florida
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Tennessee's offensive line needs to get better across the board. Last season, the Titans allowed 49 sacks, tied for the fifth most in the NFL. That's not a great situation for the team's quarterback, whomever that ends up being in 2023.
O'Cyrus Torrence could be a good target for Tennessee because he's an experience player who could boost the interior of its O-line. He was a three-year starter at Louisiana before transferring to Florida, where he started 11 games and was named to the All-SEC first team in 2022.
It's worth noting, though, that it may be a bit of a reach for the Titans to take Torrence at No. 11. They could probably trade down a bit, acquire some more draft capital and still end up with Torrence. That could be a wise move for Tennessee, considering its limited number of selections in this draft.
Even if Torrence may take some time to develop, he could become a key part of the Titans' offensive line in the long-term future. He has the necessary blocking skills to become a solid starting guard at the next level.
Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
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The Titans receiving corps was among the team's weakest units in 2022. They need to acquire more offensive playmakers, and it's even possible they'll add multiple wide receivers during the draft to help bolster the group.
Tennessee has had past success selecting an Ole Miss wide receiver (A.J. Brown in the second round in 2019), so why not try it again? Jonathan Mingo could be a good target for the Titans to consider when they're on the clock at No. 41 in the second round.
Mingo didn't put up big numbers over his four-year career with the Rebels, but he continually improved. In 2022, he had 51 catches for 861 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games (all career highs).
At 6'2" and 220 pounds, Mingo has the size to be a physical presence as an NFL slot receiver. He may also be getting slept on a bit in draft projections, so Tennessee may be getting a steal if it can land him on Friday.
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