Titans 2023 NFL Draft Round-Up

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Titans’ 2023 first round draft pick Peter Skoronski. Photo: By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans

There is much to discuss from this weekend’s NFL Draft. A lot was up in the air with the Titans and whether or not they would trade up or stay at pick 11.

Quarterback rumors were everywhere, but in the end, they stayed at No. 11 and drafted a much needed lineman in Peter Skoronski from Northwestern. The rumored plan was to trade up to the No. 3 spot, which was owned by the Cardinals, to draft a QB, most likely CJ Stroud out of Ohio State. But the Houston Texans snagged Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick.

Houston wasn’t the only AFC South rival to snag a QB as the Indianapolis Colts drafted Florida’s Anthony Richardson with the fourth overall pick.

But the Titans still got a great player with No. 11, despite the outside noise and lack of enthusiasm. Skoronski is arguably the best offensive lineman in this draft class and is an amazing guard and can also play tackle. Head Coach Mike Vrabel says he plans to use Skoronski as a general offensive lineman, moving him around throughout next season.

In Round Two of the NFL Draft, the Titans surprised some fans by trading up to the 33rd spot to draft Kentucky QB Will Levis. Levis was one of the top ranked quarterbacks in the draft, with almost all analysts predicting he would go in the first round, many saying he would get drafted by the Titans with the 11th pick.

Levis was hurt last year, but is a great talent and may have a super high ceiling. He will most likely not start this season, but will be ready to go if Ryan Tannehill gets hurt or begins to struggle on the field. When looking at Levis, fans could be looking at the Titans’ 2024 starting QB.

In Round Three, the Titans went with an unexpected talent in running back Tyjae Spears out of Tulane. Spears is one of the more talented running backs in this draft, but fell to the third round (the 81st overall pick) due to having torn both ACL’s during his college tenure. This shows that the Titans still believe in their run-forward offense and want to give Derrick Henry support.

The Titans fifth round pick, the 147th overall, went to Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle, who could be more than an extra receiver and will add blocking help on the edge. Whyle was originally a wideout but was moved to tight end in college due to his size.

Whyle stands at six feet, six inches and finished his final season at Cincinnati with a First Team All-AAC selection in his final campaign 32 catches, 326 years, averaging 10.2 yards per carry and three touchdowns in 12 games and 10 starts.

In the sixth and seventh rounds (the 186th and 228th picks), the Titans selected lineman Jaelyn Duncan and wide receiver Colton Dowell. Duncan played 42 games, starting 39 of those for Maryland. He is another very strong offensive lineman and has shown he is a reliable player who will work hard.

Dowell played at UT Martin and is a Middle Tennessee native, graduating from Wilson Central High School in Lebanon. He finished his final season in collegiate football with 67 receptions, 1,036 yards and six touchdowns, being a first-team All-OVC selection.

Steven Boero
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