Titans GM Jon Robinson praised these 3 positions in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Will Lomas
Down the mock draft rabbit hole
If those are the positions that Jon Robinson really believes in this year, then what could a mock draft look like for the Titans? Well, I used the TDN Mock Draft machine and Dane Brugler’s most recent top-100 ranking and I did a three-round mock draft.
(FWIW I picked TDN because they have the comp. picks already added)
The rules were: no trades, I have to come away with an EDGE in the first and then WR/long CB/OT in some order after that. Here are the results:
Round 1, pick 22: Azeez Ojulari EDGE, Georgia
Brugler positional ranking: EDGE1
-More than anything, I wish Ojulari went to any SEC school other than Georgia. Objectively Ojulari has gotten better every year and this season he led the SEC in sacks, forced fumbles, and was second in TFLs.
On the other hand, Kirby Smart’s first recruiting class became juniors before the 2019 NFL Draft. The top-100 picks that have been drafted from Georgia in the last two years are: Deandre Baker, Mecole Hardman, Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wilson, and D’Andre Swift.
Other than the Chiefs taking Hardman, I think every other team wishes they had a do-over. So is Ojulari the rare exception or is he another bust…
Round 2, pick 54: Tyson Campbell CB, Georgia
Brugler positional ranking: CB4
-It is really tough to take a CB this high because I don’t think it is a need for the Titans unless they make it a need for themselves with a trade or a cut. But, if Robinson loves the class of corners then getting a 6’2 Tyson Campbell is going to be intriguing.
Again, I don’t love the culture at Georgia but going by Brugler’s rankings this is the best value on the board.
Round 3, pick 85: James Hudson OT, Cincinnati
Brugler positional ranking: OT8
-I LOVE this pick for the Titans, but I don’t think he will be there this late in the third. Even though I think that the offensive line is fine, Hudson has the movement skills and the personality to make him a favorite on the offensive line.
Maybe most intriguing is that he plays under Luke Fickell in Cincinnati. Fickell is Mike Vrabel’s best friend so if the Titans draft Hudson you have to know that he got a ringing endorsement from someone that they trust completely.
Round 3, pick 101: Amari Rodgers WR, Clemson
Brugler positional ranking: WR10
-How do you (potentially) replace a slot receiver from Clemson? How about with another slot receiver from Clemson?
Rodgers is a YAC receiver who lives up to the cliche of being built “like a running back at wide receiver” and he would immediately fit into the Adam Humphries shaped hole that could be left behind by cap cuts this offseason.
Fun fact, Amari Rodgers is from Knoxville and was a two-time Mr. Football winner in 4A ball, so he has already been to Nissan Stadium twice as an award winner.