After the 2021 campaign, the Tennessee Titans need to take a good long look at their offensive line, as the group has not performed well in pass protection this season.
Tennessee’s offensive line has given up 45 sacks, the fourth-most in the NFL, after allowing just 26 last season. Adding to that, in-game injuries have also been an issue for most of the big guys upfront.
Center Ben Jones will be a free agent in 2022, and both left tackle Taylor Lewan and left guard Rodger Saffold are potential cap casualties with their friendly dead cap numbers. All three are a bit long in the tooth as well.
On the right side, right guard Nate Davis is mostly solid but inconsistent, and right tackle David Quessenberry has been a downgrade from Dennis Kelly and doesn’t look like a long-term solution at the position.
Tennessee might have a few in-house choices if big changes do come, as both rookie offensive tackle Dillon Radunz and guard/center Aaron Brewer could take over starting positions.
With all that said, Pro Football Focus’ Eric Eager has the Titans addressing the offensive line in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft by taking Central Michigan offensive tackle, Bernhard Raimann.
Here’s Eager’s thoughts on the pick:
I originally thought quarterback here, but Ryan Tannehill’s cap charge is prohibitive until at least 2023 (and realistically 2024), so we go with some support. Raimann blew up in 2021 after three years of improvement, earning a 94.6 overall grade and allowing 10 pressures all season.
Should the Titans draft Raimann, he would be their third early-round tackle pick in three years after Isaiah Wilson was taken in the first round in 2020, and then Radunz in the second round in 2021.
Raimann could play on either side of the offensive line depending on what the Titans need from him, and his impressive athleticism is a great fit for Tennessee’s zone-run scheme.
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