Redrafts are fun and Tennessee Titans fans desperately need some distractions from the disappointing 2024 season. NFL analyst Todd McShay recently conducted a 2024 NFL re-draft, putting forth strong takes that will leave fans very confused, but ultimately happy when they realize what this says about the Titans' actual 2024 draft class.
McShay's re-draft had the Titans keeping their original numerical selection at No. 7 overall. The six picks ahead of them went as follows.
1. Chicago Bears: Jayden Daniels QB, LSU
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye QB, UNC
3. New England Patriots: Caleb Williams QB, USC
4. Arizona Cardinals: Malik Nabers WR, LSU
5. L.A. Chargers: Joe Alt OT, Notre Dame
6. New York Giants: Bo Nix QB, Oregon
Aside from the Chargers, every team on this list is drafting a different player (though the only one taking a different position is the Giants).
The Titans could have gone in several different directions in this scenario. Offensive tackle was a massive offseason need and both their original pick JC Latham and fellow OT prospect Olu Fashanu are available. Notably, Marvin Harrison Jr. is also available in this re-draft, meaning the Titans could pair him with Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins (who was still on the Titans).
Well, McShay decided to stiff-arm all of those possibilities. Instead, he ignores the Best Player Available (Harrison) and biggest need (tackle) approach and gives them the fifth-best QB in the class in Michael Penix Jr.
In hindsight, quarterback is obviously going to be Tennessee's biggest need this coming offseason. Redrafts are conducted with the benefit of hindsight. When the Titans drafted Latham, they were fully invested in sophomore QB Will Levis. That is no longer the case. Regardless, drafting Penix Jr. with no answer at either tackle position would have been a death sentence.
It's worth noting McShay was very complimentary of Tennessee's overall draft, praising Latham and second-round defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat. Sweat was one of two second-round rookies to make it into McShay's redraft, going 16th overall to the Seattle Seahawks. At the end of his analysis, he was sure to note that Latham is playing good football in Tennessee.
GM Ran Carthon and HC Brian Callahan are getting a lot of flack right now, but the early returns on their first draft class have been extremely promising. That alone might be worth giving them another shot at rebuilding this team with even more draft capital and a lot of cap space to work with this offseason.