NASHVILLE – The most popular pick for the Titans in mock drafts is someone who can play left tackle.
We'll have to wait and see what the team does in next week's NFL Draft, but it's fair to ask this question:
Do the Titans potentially have their right tackle already on the roster?
At the NFL owners meetings, I asked General Manager Ran Carthon this very question.
His answer:
"I'll say this," Carthon said. "The big thing for the (returning guys) is for them to come in with a new approach, and be ready to work with (offensive line) coach (Bill) Callahan. I believe wholeheartedly that these guys will improve once they get with coach Callahan, and learn his techniques.
"And, as my high school coach would say: Let the chips fall where they may."
At this point, the Titans currently list five tackles on their positional roster: Nicholas Petit-Frere, Jaelyn Duncan, John Ojukwu, and Dillon Radunz, along with the recently acquired Leroy Watson IV.
Head coach Brian Callahan, however, said at the NFL owners meetings he views Radunz as a guard, and that's where he'll start. Andrew Rupcich, who has worked inside and outside during his time with the team, is listed as a guard as well. The Titans currently have no plans to move Peter Skoronski, who started 14 games at left guard as a rookie last season, to tackle.
No matter what happens moving forward, Petit-Frere and Duncan, who both started games at tackle in 2023, figure to be in the mix at that position heading into 2024. Petit-Frere, suspended for the first four games last season, started 16 games at right tackle for the Titans in 2022.
The Titans traded for Watson last week after he spent time with Bill Callahan while in Cleveland.
"I think with (Dillon's) versatility, you'd like for him to find a home position and not have to keep shuffling him so much," Carthon said of Radunz, who has worked at guard and tackle in the NFL. "I think it would help him. But, the more you can do. And, with coach Callahan, a lot of these guys are going to learn multiple positions."
Earlier this offseason, the Titans hired the veteran Bill Callahan as the team's offensive line coach. Callahan is regarded as one of the league's top o-line coaches.
Brian Callahan said he's looking forward to watching the offensive linemen compete.
Chris Hubbard, who started nine games at right tackle in 2023 before ending the season on Injured Reserve, remains a free agent. Bill Callahan also coached Hubbard in Cleveland.
Right now, the Titans are contemplating their options in the NFL Draft, along with the players they already have in the building.
"There's some guys that I do think have played well for us, that are young and need development, which is probably the best way to put it," Brian Callahan said. "Between JD and NPF, those guys have some skills, they need some development and they're going to compete.
"We might end up adding a tackle in the draft, we might end up adding another tackle later. It could happen a bunch of different ways. I would say there are still veteran options available at some point, but I do like what those guys have shown. I think they are young and talented, and they need some development on top of it, but they'll have chances to compete."
