Which Tennessee Titans draft picks will make quick impacts?

The project draftees for the Tennessee Titans

Both of the players that the Titans drafted in the third round are unlikely to see the field in any meaningful capacity in their rookie years. Let’s start with the most notable player in this category, and maybe the most notable in the entire team’s class — quarterback Malik Willis.

Yes, the talent is there, and yes, drafting him so late in the third round was a huge steal considering he was near-unanimously going to be taken in the first round, even if it was late. But as has been said many times and is going to be said once again, he is far too raw to be taking a snap anytime soon.

Willis needs to sit and learn the Titans’ playbook, and having gone to school at Liberty, he has nowhere near the experience to be ready to go up against NFL competition. You have to feel good about what he has shown in terms of throwing ability, running ability, and pocket presence, but needs at least a year before he is ready to play.

Their other third-round pick, tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere looks promising, and might not need time to sit like Willis, but it would make the most sense for his development. First of all, he is not going to beat out Taylor Lewan for the job at left tackle, and Dillon Radunz is looking more and more like the guy who is going to start on the right side.

And especially knowing the Titans, they are not going to be in a rush to get Petit-Frere out onto the field, which is very sensible since tackle is a hard position to get acclimated to. They are thin along the offensive line, but they were in 2021 and still would not play Radunz over Aaron Brewer or David Quessenberry. Petit-Frere is someone you should feel good about, but do not expect much from him this year.