Round 2, Pick 61: Ezra Cleveland, Offensive Tackle, Boise State
Other Potential Picks: Michael Pittman Jr, WR, USC — J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
The Titans don’t need to stretch to find a day one starter at right tackle, but finding one in the late second round would be more than worth the high second-day pick.
Not that Dennis Kelly would be a turnstile at right tackle, of course. The veteran lineman has made a few starts in his four-season tenure with Tennessee in instances of injury and suspension and has played well enough to earn a spot as the offensive lines unofficial “sixth man.”
But with a player like Boise State’s Ezra Cleveland potentially sitting on the board with the 61st pick, Tennessee would not be able to ignore him. The starting potential Cleveland holds as an NFL caliber tackle is through the roof, especially compared to the relatively known level of play Kelly would bring to the table as a starter on the right side.
Projecting how a player’s skill will translate to the NFL is rarely an easy task, especially when they’re playing on a group of five team that doesn’t regularly go up against football’s most talented players. But Cleveland did more than his share of dominating at the college level, finishing as a First-Team All-Mountain West player his final two years in college.
The athleticism Cleveland showcased at the NFL Combine backs up his accolades as well. The talented tackle finished top five among offensive linemen in 40 yard dash time, bench press, and three-cone shuttle. He projects to need a bit of development at the pro level, but with his raw talent, Cleveland could be an anchor on the offensive line for years to come.
Tennessee wouldn’t go wrong by drafting Pittman or Dobbins either, but in this mock draft they’ve already taken a receiver with Reagor, and they should still find talented pass-catching running backs later in the next round.