NASHVILLE – When NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah looks at the Titans, he sees a team that needs more weapons on offense.
And that's why Jeremiah has the Titans selecting Ohio State receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the 11th overall pick in next week's NFL Draft.
"I look at this offense and just say: You have to get more firepower," Jeremiah said on a conference call on Thursday. "When you are 30th in passing yards – and I like Treylon Burks, and I think he's going to be good player – but I think they need more to complement him and support him.
"That's why (Jaxon Smith-Njigba), I think he'd be a good fit there. He complements (Burks) quite well, and you also have a couple of guys now who are really good with the ball in their hands after the catch. He kind of fits that physical identity that Coach (Mike) Vrabel has always appreciated there. That's why I was kind of leaning in that direction with the pick."
The Titans are scheduled to make six picks in next week's draft, including picks in the 1st (11th), 2nd (41st), 3rd (72nd), 5th (147th), 6th (186th) and 7th (228th) rounds.
Jeremiah gave the Titans Smith-Njigba in his most recent mock, and he also tabbed the former Buckeyes receiver to Tennessee in a combined mock with NFL Network's Peter Schrager in a combined mock earlier this week.
Smith-Njigba had a spectacular year in 2021 when he hauled in 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns. Smith-Njigba missed 10 games in 2022 with a hamstring injury that lingered throughout the season.
Jeremiah projects Smith-Njigba as a slot receiver in the NFL.
"I think with Jaxon, I think he can play outside, but I still think he is much better suited and situated to play inside, where his kind of quicker-than-fast play style works better in the slot," Jeremiah said.
"Jaxon is a really good player. I think he is going to be a high-volume slot receiver. … He is a wonderful slot receiver. I think you draft him knowing: This is how we're going to use him, and he's going to get a chance to catch close to 100 balls, around there in your offense, and there is nothing wrong with that."
Mock drafts – and which player the Titans might pick – have been all over the place leading up to the draft.
While many analysts have the Titans picking a quarterback, others project the team taking a receiver, an offensive lineman, an edge rusher, or even a running back.
Jeremiah mentions offensive line as an area the Titans might also address.
"If you're looking at other areas they could end up going (at pick 11)," Jeremiah said, "I think they'll be staring at some tackles. (Nicholas) Petit-Frere was a third-round pick, so it's not like they have a ton invested there. But I think you'd be in a spot there where you could very well have your pick of any of the offensive linemen, I think that is possible. I wouldn't totally rule that out either.
"But when you just look at it overall, they have to leave this draft with a little more juice, a little more firepower, offensively."
