NASHVILLE – With less than a week before the NFL Draft, the majority of the mock drafts have the Titans taking Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt with the 7th overall pick.
On a conference call on Friday, NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller said he thinks that's a pretty likely scenario for Tennessee.
"It feels like 80 percent of mock drafts have Joe Alt going there," said Miller, who joined ESPN in 2021.
But Miller also thinks there's a scenario where that doesn't happen, and that could lead to the Titans taking a receiver at No.7.
Miller named LSU's Malik Nabers as a potential option.
"I think the only scenario that, as a Titans fan (who wants Alt), you have to worry about is if the L.A. Chargers just stick at 5 and say: 'We're going to build through the trenches, and we'll take Joe Alt.' (Veteran tackle) Rashawn Slater is about to hit a contract year, so they could certainly be drafting ahead for the future. If you're a Titans fan, you think about, 'How could your board get wiped out.' That is certainly one way, if the Chargers stay at five and take Alt.
"The other scenario, if that happens, you're probably hoping Malik Nabers from LSU is there. They've added Calvin Ridley, so the wide receiver room is looking a lot better than it did just a year ago. I think, and we even heard Brian Callahan talk about this, you still are lacking that slot production. Looking at the Cincinnati offense, where he came from, it was known for three-wide. That third receiver has not really emerged yet for the Titans. So I think if Joe Alt is gone, and I'm sure you'd love to have a left tackle there. But if there is not a trade-back scenario there that you like, then I think you maybe stay and take Malik Nabers and then you look at the tackle group later in the draft to try and fill out that need."
Miller, who made his on-air NFL Draft debut during day three of the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City when he joined ESPN's broadcast for rounds 4-7, has over a decade of experience covering the NFL Draft. Miller appears across ESPN platforms on NFL Live, SportsCenter, Get Up!, NFL Draft and Mock Draft specials, ESPN+ exclusive programs – including numerous mock drafts and scouting reports, ESPN Radio and more.
Before joining ESPN, Miller was Bleacher Report's lead NFL Draft writer from 2010-2021 where he contributed mock drafts, scouting reports, in-depth stories and he became the most-read author in the history of the website.
Miller said if the Titans scenario plays out where the Titans take a receiver in the first round, he thinks some intriguing options will be available at No.38.
"You are probably looking at someone like Patrick Paul from Houston, who has legendary wingspan, arm length, he has really good movement skills. He's a little bit raw, especially in the run game, but someone who could emerge and develop into a really good left tackle. I think Jordan Morgan would be another interesting name, from Arizona, I think there's a chance he could be gone at that point. I know a lot of teams have talked about maybe moving him to guard. I really like his footwork I like his agility. In certain schemes, he's going to be just fine playing left tackle."
The Titans are scheduled to make seven picks in this year's NFL Draft – 7th overall (first round), 38th overall (2nd round), 106th overall (4th round), 146th overall (5th round), 182nd overall (6th round), 242nd overall (7th round) and 252nd overall (7th round).
Miller said he loved the addition of Ridley and center Lloyd Cushenberry for the Titans this offseason, along with adding running back Tony Pollard with Tyjae Spears to make a 1-2 punch.
Aside from left tackle, Miller said he wouldn't be shocked if the Titans went defensive tackle or defensive end relatively early in the draft. And, despite the additions of cornerbacks L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie, he thinks a player in the secondary could be added in the draft as well.
"They've been active, and they've been aggressive," Miller said of the Titans. "And I think that's probably us seeing Ran Carthon's fingerprints on the team more than it had in the past. That mentality of: We've got a quarterback on a rookie deal, we have a lot of cap space, so let's load up and get players that fit what they're trying to do on both sides of the ball, but also high-end players."
