With the 2022 NFL draft just five months away, experts have already begun putting out mock drafts and projecting picks for the Tennessee Titans.
In his latest three-round mock draft, Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling has the Titans taking Georgia EDGE Travon Walker in the first round and Coastal Carolina tight end Isaiah Likely in the third.
Of course, Tennessee doesn’t own a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft after sending it to the Atlanta Falcons in the Julio Jones trade this past offseason.
Walker is coming off his best season as a pro in 2021, tallying a career-high four sacks to go along with 5.5 tackles for loss, two passes defensed and a fumble recovery.
Here’s a scouting report on 6-foot-5, 275-pound Walker, courtesy of Drae Harris of The Draft Network:
Pros: Travon Walker aligns primarily on the edge for the Bulldogs defense. He has both rushed and dropped from two and three point stances; showcasing notable versatility to move around the front and serve as a matchup chess piece. He demonstrates good athleticism to play on his feet while getting in passing lanes underneath. As a rusher, he has an explosive get off and shows some power to long-arm on the edge and convert speed to power. His motor is relentless and he plays extremely hard. He has been highly effective to this point in large part thanks to his effort and motor. Walker shows good self-awareness regarding when to get depth as a dropper against more agile, smaller running backs and protect his leverage. Interestingly, he has the frame to add more mass if that is deemed a necessary move by his NFL team. Walker is a player that displays a multi-schematic skill set — meaning he should have universal appeal and could be in high demand as a result.
Cons: Walker can improve his production as a rusher by continuing to focus on becoming a better technician — specifically with regards to hand usage and counters when his initial rush has been thwarted. Along with that, learning to disengage more efficiently will help him get to the ball faster and further increase his pressure rate. Walker also needs to become more consistent at playing with better pad level. Instincts need to be looked into as he’s late locating the ball at times and has also been late off the snap when releasing upfield.
Likely also had a career year in 2021, reeling in career-highs in catches (52), receiving yards (816) and touchdowns (10).
Now, a scouting report on the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Likely, per Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network:
Pros: Isaiah Likely has the physical profile and receiving ability to be a mismatch weapon at the NFL level. He’s long, lean, fluid, and fairly bursty off the line of scrimmage. At his best when he’s stretching the field vertically, Likely projects as a flex TE at the NFL level who isn’t likely to command reps as an in-line player. Some of Likely’s notable production as a receiver is accounted for in an unorthodox offensive system, but nevertheless his ball-tracking skills and successes as a down-the-field receiver to adjust to throws over the shoulder and extend to catch away from his frame are going to translate at the next level. He appears to be a good enough athlete to separate versus linebackers in the NFL and has the size and catch radius to be problematic for safeties. Likely’s nose for big plays and the stress he’ll place on the B-level of the defense will have the opportunity to have a big impact in the play-action game; a quarterback capable of getting throws over the second level and down in front of the safety will love his frame, length, and quickness.
Cons: Traditionalists will struggle with Likely’s role in the slot—and developing him in this capacity feels like it is a long way away and counterproductive as compared to accentuating what he already does now in the passing game. His frame does appear to have plenty of room to add on extra weight, but at what expense to his functional athleticism? Likely reminds me of former San Jose State and Jacksonville Jaguars TE Josh Oliver, a top-70 draft selection who is now with the Baltimore Ravens. With three receptions for 15 yards in his first two seasons in the league, that’s not necessarily a good thing as the transition from small-school flex target to NFL tight end has been difficult. Unless Likely adds a little extra variety to his breaks and routes while becoming more of a true salesman on the route stem, he may need that same incubation period that’s been necessary for Oliver.
The Titans have a big decision upcoming at outside linebacker, with Harold Landry, who is in the midst of a career year, set to be a free agent. Landry will undoubtedly get paid well, whether it be by the Titans or someone else.
Should Landry return, the Titans would have him, Bud Dupree and Denico Autry rushing off the edge, with 2021 fourth-round pick Rashad Weaver serving as a backup at outside linebacker.
If that all comes to fruition, the Titans might be able to focus on another position in the first round of the draft, like offensive tackle or guard. If Landry somehow leaves, EDGE becomes a top priority in Nashville.
At tight end, the Titans are sorely lacking a playmaker at the position, a need that Likely would certainly fill if he pans out. However, even when they had a freak athlete and playmaker in that spot in Jonnu Smith, the Titans didn’t utilize him enough.
Unless they plan to change that approach moving forward, the Titans might avoid taking a tight end until Day 3 at the earliest.
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