Pre-combine look at 3 WRs Titans should target in 2020 NFL Draft

Before the all-important NFL Scouting Combine is upon us, here is an early look at three wide receivers the Tennessee Titans should have in their sights.

The NFL Scouting Combine begins on February 23rd, and the Tennessee Titans have their latest draft position since 2009. That year, the Titans selected a wide receiver out of Rutgers University, Kenny Britt, with the 30th overall selection.

The 2020 NFL Draft will be big for the Titans as they attempt to get better, but also not cripple themselves by spending big money in free agency.

Titans general manager Jon Robinson will look to retain more than a few of their veteran free agent players, but if the organization needs to move on in places, this draft — particularly at the wide receiver position — is a good place to recoup talent.

The following list is a projection; it’s based on the estimated day a player could be selected, and also by which scenario would need to unfold for the Titans.

And away we go.

Day 3: K.J. Hill, Ohio State

Projection: Fourth Round

Scenario: 

• The Titans plan to move on from WR Adam Humphries following the 2020 season.

Ohio State WR K.J. Hill saw his draft stock increase dramatically following a strong showing at the 2020 Senior Bowl. To me, he and a few others (DL Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina, WR Van Jefferson, Florida) stole the show.

Hill put on a clinic; his craftiness as a route-runner displayed qualities and nuance that not many college prospects possess. Explosive out of his cuts, Hill is never stiff but rather smooth, and he has tremendously soft hands.

Like below, Hill creates separation almost immediately on this shallow cross. A subpar throw, but luckily for Utah State QB Jordan Love, Hill bails him out with a beautiful one-handed snag behind his body.

Hill has good enough speed to win over the top, but he’s not in the elite category. Instead, he wins with crisp routes to create natural separation at all three levels of the field. Because of this lack of speed, Hill projects to spend most of his time working out of the slot at the pro-level.

The former Ohio State Buckeye would be a perfect WR4 for this Titans team to groom behind Humphries.

Day 2: Denzel Mims, Baylor

Projection: Second Round

Scenario: 

• The Titans decline to pick up WR Corey Davis’ fifth-year option, creating a future need at WR2.

Baylor University wide receiver Denzel Mims was another name that started to bubble at the Senior Bowl. It’s rumored that he could even receive some Day 1 consideration, but for this exercise, here’s to hoping he falls to the late second round.

Mims is big with the ball up for grabs. What I mean is, it’s his ball when it’s in the air. Similar to the way wide receiver A.J. Brown plays, Mims plays with the swagger of someone that believes he’s going to make every catch.

And, that shouldn’t be difficult for a receiver his size; Mims is 6-foot-3 and weighs in at 206 pounds.

Shown above, Mims has improved his release off the line of scrimmage, and while he didn’t run the most diverse route tree at Baylor, Mims could be special in the NFL. He reminds me a bit of New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Somewhere, Titans wide receivers coach Rob Moore is salivating.

Day 1: Jalen Reagor, TCU

Projection: First Round

Scenario: 

• The Titans finally get the receiver Taywan Taylor was supposed to be. Adding speed to lock-in safety help over the top, and creating space for underneath crossers and larger running lanes. This, also, would likely mean that Davis is on his way out in Nashville.

TCU wide receiver Jalen Reagor is not former Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor. On the contrary, he looks — to me — to be a star in the making.

Reagor’s athleticism is astounding on film — he shows excellent quickness to create separation immediately at the line of scrimmage, and his deep-ball speed is bonkers. He reminds me a bit of Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, as his shiftiness and one-cut ability are supreme.

Reagor’s only issue? Concentration.

Reagor’s high point is excellent for a guy standing at 5-foot-11, but sometimes he’s looking to make his next move too soon and can struggle with drops.

If he can clean that element of his game up, and dominate the 40-yard dash (as he should), I expect the Titans to take a good look at Reagor at 29th overall.