Don’t be surprised if the Tennessee Titans trade their top pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Titans have two Top 100 picks this year: No. 26 (first round) and 90 (third round). Ever since general manager Jon Robinson came in 2016, Tennessee has had at least three picks in the top 100 in five of six draft picks.
If the Titans trade in the first round, who could be on their radar?
Here is Tennessee’s third first-round pick of the year:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Ethan Hutchinson, Edge, Michigan
From where the Jaguars franchise was tagged to left tackle Cam Robinson, there was no debate. Hutchinson, the top prospect of consensus in the draft, goes to Jaguar to boost their low pass rush.
2. Trade! Seattle SEAHAWKS (Via Detroit Lions): Malik Willis, Quarterback, Liberty
Get the Seahawks: Select No. 2, 2023 Fourth-Rounder
Get Lines: No. 9 pick, 2022 Third Rounder (No. 72), 2022 Fourth Rounder (No. 109), 2023 First Rounder, 2024 Second Rounder
The Lions are open for the No. 2 trade. And with the departure of Russell Wilson, the Seahawks will aggressively work for Willis, who could become a target for the Panthers and Falcons in the Top 10 next quarterback. The additional draft capital gains in the Wilson deal make this move viable for Seattle.
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3. Houston Texans: Aki Ikono, offensive tackle, NC State
The Texans have shown their faith in the quarterback Davis Mills securing him.
4. New York Jets: Dirk London, wide receiver, Southern California
The Jets have been linked in recent weeks with high profile receivers, including Troy Hale (who was traded to the Dolphins) and Seahawks star DK Metcalf. They make their draft number 4.
5. New York Giants: Evan Noel, offensive tackle, Alabama
The Giants need improvement in the offseason, as they have the 31st-ranked offensive line in the NFL last season, according to Football Outfitters. Nail is a day starter on the left or right tackle.
6. Trade! Washington Commanders (Iowa Carolina Panthers): Garrett Wilson, wide receiver, Ohio State
Washington gets: pick No. 6
Carolina Receives: Select No. 11, 2022 Second-Rounder (Select No. 47), 2023 Second-Rounder
After trading for Carson Wentz, the commander prepares to combine one of the class top receivers with star Terry Mac Lauren.
7. New York Giants (Via Chicago Bears): Cary Thibodaux, AZ, Oregon
The Giants need help in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball after being ranked No. 22 last season.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS: Chris Olave, wide receiver, Ohio State
Matt Ryan-less Falcons are excited about the quarterback class of 2023. Rolling with Marcus Mariota as his 2022 starter, Atlanta uses its top selection on receivers, suspending Calvin Ridley for the 2022 season and another major need with Russell Gauge through free agency.
9. DETROIT LIONS (from Seattle SEAHAWKS VIA DENVER BRONCOS): Tryon Walker, Edge, Georgia
The Lions are desperate for a pass rush. They had 30 goats last season, the third fewest in the league.
10. New York Jets (Ga. Seahawks): Jermaine Johnson II, Edge, Florida State
After posting 32 sacks last season, the Jets got a big boost on the edge in Johnson, the BAC’s sack leader last season.
11. Carolina Panthers (via Washington Commanders): Kenny Puckett, quarterback, Pittsburgh
After missing out on the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes, the Panthers caught Pickett to be their future quarterback.
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12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Ahmed ‘Sass’ Gardner, Cornerbak, Cincinnati
Re-signed with Patrick Peterson for another year, the former All-Pro can serve as a mentor for Gardner, perhaps the top cornerback in the draft.
13. Houston Texans (Via Cleveland Browns): Kyle Hamilton, safety, Notre Dame
After an allegedly weak pro day, on top of playing at a non-premium position, Hamilton – once considered a top-five prospect – comes down to the draft board.
14. Baltimore Ravens: George Carlftas, Edge, Pride
As Za’Darius Smith reportedly backed out of his free agent deal with the Ravens, adding pass rush help should be a priority for Baltimore.
15. Trade! Kansas City Chiefs (Philadelphia Eagles vs. Miami Dolphins): Jameson Williams, wide receiver, Alabama
Get Chief: Choose No. 15
Get Eagles: No. 29 pick, 2023 first-rounder
Kansas City leads 14 places to find its long-term replacement for star receiver Tyree Hill, who traded it to the Dolphins.
16. New Orleans Saints (via Philadelphia Eagles from Indianapolis Colts): Trailon Burks, wide receiver, Arkansas
New Orleans acquires James Winston, another outfielder, to join Michael Thomas, who did not play last season.
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Trevor Panning, Offensive Tackle, Northern Iowa
The Chargers need to push the right fielder to the right.
18. Philadelphia Eagles (New Orleans Saints): Jordan Davis defensive tackle, Georgia
Eagles starting lineup defensive lineman Fletcher Cox and Juan Hargrave will be unrestricted free agents in 2023.
19. New Orleans Saints (Philadelphia Eagles): Charles Cross, offensive tackle, Mississippi State
The Saints lost Tyrone Armstead to the Dolphins in free agency, so they’ll need to find their replacement.
20. PITTSBURGH Steelers: Matt Corral, Quarterback, Ole Miss
Mitchell Trubisky may be the Steelers’ starting quarterback for 2022, but he is not a long-term answer for the Steelers at football’s most important position.
21. New England Patriots: Derek Stingley Jr., Cornerbank, Washington
After losing to JC Jackson in free agency, finding a cornerback should be a top priority for the Patriots.
22. Green Bay Packers: Jahn Dotson, wide receiver, Penn State
Dotson is the best player left on the reserve at the board, a big position needed for Green Bay after it traded superstar Davante Adams to Las Vegas.
23. Arizona Cardinals: George Karlftas, Edge, Pride
The Cardinals desperately need pass-rush assist in Chandler Jones’ departure in free agency.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Canyon Green, Ga., Texas A&M
With Connor Williams moving to Miami, finding a left guard should be a priority for Dallas.
25. Buffalo Bills: Andrew Booth Jr., Cornerbank, Clemson
The Bills have the uncertainty over cornerback Tre’Davious White, who broke his ACL last season.
26. Trade! Detroit Lions (Ga. Tennessee Titans): David Ojaboo, Edge, Michigan
Lion found: Pick No. 26
Get Titan: Select No. 32, 2022 Third Rounder (Pick 66)
Lounge traded to the Titans, who selected the second top 100, and tore his Achilles at Michigan’s Pro Day last month after finishing Ojibo’s slide-down draft board.
27. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Zion Johnson, guard, Boston College
Even after being traded for Cubs mascot, the Bucks still have an empty spot at one of their guard spots.
28. Green Bay Packers: Boy Maffei, Edge, Minnesota
Za’Darius Smith was released and an intermediate pass rush last season (16th in Boren), helping the Packers with their first-round pick.
29. Philadelphia Eagles (from Kansas City Chiefs): Nicky Deane, linebacker inside, Georgia
Eagles are the best available here.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Keller Gordon, Cornerbank, Washington
The Chiefs strengthen their cornerback room after losing to Varsity Ward in free agency.
31. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Trey McBride, Tight end, Colorado State
After losing CJ Uzomah in free agency, the Cincinnati board takes the first tight end.
32. TENNESSEE TITANS (FROM DETROIT LIONS via Los Angeles Rams): Desmond Reader, Quarterback, Cincinnati
Titans see Ridder 2023 and beyond. General Manager Jon Robinson acknowledged last month at the NFL Scouting Combine that Tennessee will start looking at Ryan Tennial’s potential successor in the 2022 Draft Class.
Second-order covers the Tennessee Titans for the USA Today Network. Contact her at barthur@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @benyarthur.