It’s been ugly for the Tennessee Titans through three weeks. Will Levis has seemingly regressed and the defensive line can’t push the pocket, leaving first-year head coach Brian Callahan searching for answers. One of two 0-3 teams in the AFC South (Jacksonville Jaguars), things are at a boiling point for a roster that was expected to, at minimum, compete for a wild-card spot this fall.
With roster holes on both sides of the ball and such limited current draft capital, each pick is just that much more important. Here is an early look at where general manager Ran Carthon could go come April.
Round 1 (No. 2 overall): Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
As one of the most dynamic defenders in the class, Abdul Carter's athleticism and alignment versatility would present the Titans with an electric hybrid piece. A former off-ball LB making the transition to edge this fall, Carter has as lofty a performance ceiling as any rookie in the class.
Round 2 (No. 33 overall): Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
One of the country’s most productive wideouts through the first month, the spotlight will only continue to grow on Tre Harris’ game. Ole Miss remains one of the top offenses in the country, and Harris will continue to lead the way in the Jaxson Dart-led attack. At 6-foot-3, Harris not only has the size to overwhelm opposing corners, but his creativity and burst in the open field make him a potentially special pass-catcher down the line. His awareness and instincts to find exploitable space are elite.
Round 4 (No. 103 overall): Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
Ajani Cornelius has the potential to compete right away at right tackle, should head coach Brian Callahan see fit. A former transfer to Oregon after three years at Rhode Island, Cornelius is an explosive athlete whose ability in pass pro showcases a high floor as a prospect. He moves extremely well at 6-foot-5 and more than 310 pounds with light feet and excellent balance when having to press out to take away angles.
Round 5 (No. 139 overall): Brady Cook, QB, Missouri
Who knows what the future is for Levis in Tennessee? The talent is there, sure, but you don’t win games in the NFL off of how far you can throw a football in a t-shirt and shorts. Execution and improvement are warranted for Levis in year two, and adding a willing dual-threat talent here with Brady Cook would provide a talented figure in Levis’ rearview mirror. Competition never hurts.
Round 6 (No. 178 overall): Joe Brunner, IOL, Wisconsin
A big man (6-foot-5) from the NFL front five pipeline that is Wisconsin, Joe Brunner is a powerful and sturdy anchor up front. 2024 is his first year as a full-time starter for the Badgers, but the power and vertical ability in the run game is there to provide depth up front for the Titans. Brunner is limited athletically, but more experience should allow him to continue to improve in both facets of the Wisconsin offense. You know what you’re going to get with prospects that wear the ‘W’ on their helmet, and Brunner could be a nice developmental piece with swing guard potential.
Round 7 (No. 232 overall): Max Brosmer, QB, Minnesota
With it being so early in the process, I like to use these selections to introduce players to the audience that are currently unknown to the public eye. Again, this is not indicative of where Tennessee could go with this pick (already drafted a QB in the earlier rounds) but more so a name to keep an eye on as the weeks progress.
A transfer from New Hampshire, Max Brosmer is a pocket-first quarterback whose maturity should present him a chance to compete in an NFL camp next summer. He’ll eclipse 10,000 career passing yards this fall and is a player who scouts have kept a keen eye on as an arm to monitor.
