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Ranking the Titans’ 2023 draft picks based on their projected impact.
With the Tennessee Titans’ mandatory minicamp and entire offseason program in the books, we now know at least a little bit more about Tennessee’s 2023 draft class.
However, the real evaluation will begin in July and August, when the Titans begin training camp and strap on the pads, and then take part in preseason contests.
Based on the limited information we have so far, here’s what we expect from each Titans 2023 draft pick in Year 1, and we’ll rank them based on their projected impact.
Titans TE Josh Whyle mentioned three things he needs to hammer down in order to separate himself from the rest.
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While all the attention for the Tennessee Titans at the tight end position is on rising star Chig Okonkwo, 2023 fifth-round pick and fellow tight end Josh Whyle is looking to acclimate himself and carve out a role in Year 1.
Whyle has been taking part in the team’s offseason program and spoke to the media after practice on Thursday. The Cincinnati product noted he’s trying to soak up what he can from the older players, and he lauded the coaching staff for helping slow things down for him.
“The staff has done a really good job just kind of slowing the game down, explaining things in detail,” Whyle said. “Just learning from the older guys — they’ve been here, they’ve done it, just trying to follow in their footsteps.”
Whyle admitted that there is a lot of work involved in his transition to the NFL but believes any player who focuses on and improves at three things will separate themselves.
“There’s a lot of work to do, and I can really see that just from where I’m at now,” Whyle explained. “I mentioned about the details; that’s a big thing when you get to this level. Everybody’s good but it’s the technique, fundamentals and details that really can separate you.”
#Titans TE Josh Whyle caught a tightly contested pass for a touchdown during today’s practice.
Hear what the rookie had to say about his progression to this point. pic.twitter.com/Qqkm56UR4T
— Titans Radio (@TitansRadio) June 8, 2023
Looking ahead to his rookie campaign, Whyle figures to factor in as the No. 3 tight end behind Chig and Trevon Wesco and should provide a plus pass-catcher to Tennessee’s offense when on the field. However, if he wants to maximize his snaps, Whyle must show he’s a plus blocker, also.
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The full contract breakdowns for each of the Titans’ Day 3 picks.
The Tennessee Titans have signed half of their 2023 NFL draft class, with tight end Josh Whyle, offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan and wide receiver Colton Dowell all under contract.
That leaves three draft picks unsigned in offensive tackle Peter Skoronski, quarterback Will Levis and running back Tyjae Spears, all of whom were taken in the first two days of the draft.
Despite being unsigned, all three did take part in rookie minicamp over the weekend. Check out some of the highlights right here.
Now that Duncan, Whyle and Dowell are signed, their full contract details have been revealed. Here are the numbers, per Spotrac:
The Titans have agreed to terms with three of their six 2023 NFL draft picks.
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The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms on rookie contracts with three of their six 2023 NFL draft picks, the team announced on Thursday evening.
The Titans agreed on four-year rookie deals with fifth-round pick and tight end Josh Whyle, sixth-round pick and offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan, and seventh-round pick and wide receiver, Colton Dowell.
While the financial terms of the deals were not immediately disclosed, here’s a look at the projected contract totals for each, via Spotrac:
Whyle: Four years, $4.16 million
Duncan: Four years, $4.02 million
Dowell: Four years, $3.94 million
With those three signed, the three selections who remain unsigned are first-round pick and offensive tackle Peter Skoronski, second-round pick and quarterback Will Levis, and third-round pick and running back Tyjae Spears.
The #Titans have agreed to terms with three of their rookie draft picks: TE Josh Whyle, OL Jaelyn Duncan and WR Colton Dowell
— Ben Arthur (@benyarthur) May 11, 2023
We’ll actually be getting our first look at the Titans’ 2023 NFL draft picks this week, as the team is set to embark on a three-day rookie minicamp starting on Friday, May 12.
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What new Titans TE Josh Whyle is projected to make over the course of his rookie contract.
The Tennessee Titans made one of six offensive selections in the 2023 NFL draft when they picked tight end Josh Whyle out of Cincinnati in the fifth round.
According to Spotrac, Whyle is projected to sign a four-year deal that pays him $4.16 million in total, $325,371 of which will come via signing bonus. His first-year cap hit should be around $831,000.
As thing stand now, Whyle figures to be No. 3 on the depth chart, with Chig Okonkwo and Trevon Wesco above him. However, it’s not crazy to think Whyle could make his way up to the No. 2 spot at some point in 2023.
How quickly that happens (if at all) will depend upon what Whyle can contribute as a blocker, an area that is not considered his strength.
The rookie has stated he’s a better pass-catcher than blocker, but also noted he has improved in the latter area. Whether or not he’s improved enough to be a factor right away remains to be seen, though.
At the very least, Whyle should get some looks in the passing game, as the Titans need all the help they can get thanks to a lackluster group of pass-catchers.
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What experts said about Titans TE Josh Whyle’s blocking and more in scouting reports ahead of this year’s draft.
The Tennessee Titans added to their tight ends room during the 2023 NFL draft when they selected Josh Whyle out of Cincinnati in the fifth round.
Whyle, who is a plus pass-catcher and improving blocker, figures to slot in behind Chigoziem Okonkwo and Trevon Wesco on the depth chart to start.
Whyle could conceivably work his way up to No. 2 in his first year, but that will likely be determined by how well he shows out as a blocker.
When asked what he was better at, Whyle pointed to his abilities as a pass-catcher (he transitioned from receiver to tight end in high school) but noted he’s improved in the other aspect of his game.
“I think naturally pass-catcher just because I grew up a wide receiver,” he said. “I transitioned to wide receiver halfway through high school. Especially this last year of college, I think I really improved inside the box blocking, technique and foot work. So, if that answers your question, definitely pass blocking, but I have improved a lot.”
So, how did draft experts view Whyle when it comes to his blocking and pass-catching? Find out now as we take a tour of scouting reports about Tennessee’s newest tight end.
Titans TE Josh Whyle touched on his blocking, pass-catching, and which area he believes he’s better at.
The Tennessee Titans added to their tight ends room during the 2023 NFL draft when they selected Josh Whyle out of Cincinnati in the fifth round.
Whyle adds an intriguing player to the room, as he has the goods to be an impact pass-catcher, something Tennessee desperately needs. He isn’t a polished blocker yet, but he has shown improvement in that area.
The latter part is key for Whyle’s ability to see the field in 2023. The Titans already have a primary pass-catching tight end in Chig Okonkwo, and a blocking specialist in Trevon Wesco.
Whyle fits somewhere in between the strengths of those two, but if he can show he’s a plus blocker in Year 1, he could jump Wesco on the depth chart. As of now, Wesco should be considered the favorite for the No. 2 role.
After being drafted on Saturday, Whyle met with the media and spoke about his ability as a pass-catcher, blocker, and the versatility he brings to the table. Keep scrolling to find out what he said about those topics and more.
After the Titans had a polarizing 2023 NFL draft, Shaun Calderon shares what he would’ve done with the picks.
The 2023 NFL Draft is officially in the rearview mirror, and to say some of the Tennessee Titans’ selections was polarizing would be drastically underselling it.
National media outlets have largely been major fans of the Titans’ draft class, resulting in strong grades across the board. However, those outlets often grade the picks in a vacuum and don’t take into account the state of the roster, who they passed up, etc.
The Titans made it known that they played the board and took advantage of several opportunities in which they felt a player was too good to pass up on.
When it comes to drafting, weighing value versus need is on a case-by-case basis, but there has to be a happy balance between the two. Yes, they made several good value picks, but they came at the expense of arguably the biggest need on the team at wide receiver.
There’s no denying Tennessee needed depth at several spots, but the Titans desperately needed to walk away with a starting-caliber wide receiver, yet somehow only left with more questions than at the position than anything.
This article is going to revisit each round and discuss whether or not we would rather stick with the Titans’ original selections.
Without further ado, let’s find out what we would keep the same, as well as what we would have done differently if we were the ones in charge last weekend.
How experts graded the Titans’ three Day 3 picks in the 2023 NFL draft.
The Tennessee Titans officially completed their 2023 NFL draft on Saturday after making three selections in the final three rounds.
With those picks, the Titans added tight end Josh Whyle, offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan and wide receiver Colton Dowell, who, by the way, was Tennessee’s only pick at its biggest position of need.
Shortly after each pick was made, our draft analyst Shaun Calderon gave a grade for each pick. Here are his marks for the Day 3 selections:
You can check out all of Calderon’s 2023 NFL draft grades, including his mark for the draft class as a whole, right here. Now, a look at how other experts graded Tennessee’s three Day 3 picks in the 2023 NFL draft.
Shaun Calderon grades the Titans’ fifth-round pick, TE Josh Whyle.
If you’re among the many Tennessee Titans fans who were hoping for the “miracle fifth-round wide receiver,” as Paul Kuharsky so adequately put it, I have some bad news for you.
The Titans once again chose to neglect the receiver position with the presumptive reasoning being they just trusted their board.
To be fair, they ended up selecting Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle, who was my 10th-ranked tight end, and he is a reliable pass-catcher who only dropped six passes over his entire five-year college career.
The Cincinnati product also gives the Titans some versatility when it comes to different personnel packages. Last season alone, Whyle accounted for 352 snaps in-line, 181 snaps in the slot, 46 snaps in the backfield, 31 snaps out wide, and 71 special teams snaps.
As far as his run-blocking goes, I would label it as inconsistent at best. Over the last five years, he has accumulated a run-blocking grade of 63.48, per Pro Football Focus.
The team’s continued effort to willingly neglect a premium position in the modern-day NFL is ridiculously baffling. Unless they have some unforeseen master plan post-draft, this continues to be a very underwhelming offseason in terms of trying to improve the Titans’ arsenal of weapons.
Whyle does offer some pass-catching upside for an offense that desperately needs it, but I still have to give this a below-average grade considering everything that’s already been said.
Grade: D+
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