NASHVILLE – The Titans have needs, and options.
With just over two months before April's NFL Draft, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller has an idea on what the Titans might like to do with their first two picks.
In his recent two-round mock draft, Miller has the Titans picking Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt in the first round, and Texas receiver Adonai Mitchell in the second round.
On a conference call on Tuesday, I asked Miller about options for the Titans.
Here's what he said:
"I always try to look at it this early, matching up needs and where you think a team might be able to go in free agency," Miller said. "The Titans are unique because they have a ton of money to spend this year. So, you might see a lot of these needs be knocked off in free agency, but before all the money gets tossed around, trying to look at needs and where that value matches up in the class and I think Joe Alt is a really, really special player. You look at the best left tackles in the NFL, and almost all of them were drafted early in the first round and he certainly fits that mold, a former tight end who really grew into the offensive tackle position, was a rock star starter, great in every aspect of the game, is poised, is very powerful, gets to the second level well. My thing with him is he's never panicked at all. Every week you could watch him play and he's facing good pass rushers weekly and it seems like and he never, ever lets those guys rattle him. So I think he is as good a plug and play as there is at tackle in this class."
So, what if Alt is gone at No.7, when the Titans are scheduled to pick in the first round?
"I think it's a decent possibility," Miller said. "The Chargers at 5, the Giants at 6 could 1,000 percent take tackles because of their problems on the offensive line. If he is gone, I think you pivot to tackle (Olu) Fashanu from Penn State, who I think has a higher athletic ceiling, there's some issues in the run game that has to be cleaned up … But if you can't get Alt, it is not a consolation prize to get Fashanu. Before the season, he and Caleb Williams were like, 'Who is going 1st? Who is going 2nd?' basically for the former high school teammates. So, if you can't get the Notre Dame left tackle, go straight to Penn State and get another 10-year starter."
Below is what Miller said in his mock, when picking Alt and Mitchell.
Miller (@nfldraftscout) joined ESPN in 2022 and he also contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live and ESPN Radio.
Here's a look at Miller's mock nuggets:
7. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
In a draft that's rich with blue chip talents, the Titans are able to sit tight at No. 7 overall and land the best left tackle in the group. Alt is a pro-ready starter with three years' experience coming out of Notre Dame. At 6-foot-8 and 322 pounds, the 20-year-old Alt has both the experience teams love and the upside that scouts crave at a position that is very hard to find well-rounded players. Alt is a bully in the run game but his real value is in pass protection, where he allowed one sack and just four pressures in 2023. The Titans could look at wide receivers if one falls, but Alt is the no-brained choice here.
38. Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
The Titans lack a future WR1 after missing on Treylon Burks and rolling with veteran DeAndre Hopkins last year. Mitchell is a 6-foot-4 wideout with awesome separating ability that showed on tape to the tune of 11 touchdowns and 41 first-down receptions for the Longhorns last year. Mitchell is at his best on vertical routes, which matches up well with the arm talent of Titans' quarterback Will Levis.
