What if the Titans Don’t Select Joe Alt with the No. 7 Pick in the NFL Draft?
NASHVILLE — What if the Tennessee Titans decide not to pick Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt with their No. 7 overall pick in Thursday night’s NFL Draft? General Manager Ran Carthon and first-year coach Brian Callahan might prefer a wide receiver or consider trading down to accumulate more assets for their rebuilding project.
Additionally, the Los Angeles Chargers or New York Giants, both in need of a pass blocker, could potentially beat the Titans to Alt, who is considered the top offensive lineman in the draft.
As the 2024 NFL Draft week arrives, the NFL Mock Draft Database shows that 58.4 percent of mock drafts predict the Titans will select Alt. This would make sense as the Titans had one of the worst offensive lines last year and need a cornerstone to pair with all-rookie guard Peter Skoronski and free-agent center Lloyd Cushenberry.
However, the draft’s unpredictability means the Titans aren’t the only team with needs to fill.
Assuming no trades, the first three picks are expected to be quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye, followed by the top three wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze, leaving Alt available for the Titans. This would be logical, but…
Could the Titans instead opt for Brock Bowers, who set Southeastern Conference records for tight ends with 175 receptions, 2,538 receiving yards, and 26 receiving touchdowns, and won two national titles with the University of Georgia? Bowers is also the first two-time winner of the John Mackey Award for the nation’s best tight end.
If the Giants or Chargers take Alt, Odunze or Nabers might still be available to join DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley in Tennessee’s wide receiver lineup. Coach Callahan emphasized in an interview with 102.5 The Game: “I tend to lean toward the guys that can score touchdowns.”
ESPN analyst Matt Miller suggested LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers as a potential pick if Alt is taken earlier.
“I think the only scenario Titans fans should worry about is if the L.A. Chargers stay at 5 and decide to take Joe Alt,” Miller said during a conference call. “Rashawn Slater is approaching a contract year, so they might be planning ahead. If you’re a Titans fan, consider how your board might get wiped out. That could happen if the Chargers take Alt at five.”
Miller added, “If that happens, you’re probably hoping Malik Nabers from LSU is available. The Titans have added Calvin Ridley, improving their wide receiver situation. However, as Brian Callahan mentioned, they still lack slot production. In Cincinnati, Callahan’s former team, they were known for their three-wide sets, and the Titans have yet to find that third receiver.”
“If Joe Alt is unavailable and there’s no appealing trade-back scenario, the Titans might take Malik Nabers and look for a tackle later in the draft to address that need,” Miller continued.
In 2023, Nabers was Pro Football Focus’ top-ranked college receiver, a consensus All-American, and LSU’s career leader for catches and receiving yards, surpassing NFL stars Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.
Odunze played a key role in leading the Washington Huskies to the college football championship game and is ranked No. 8 overall by PFF.
One of the draft’s strengths is the offensive tackle position. The Titans could trade down to gain draft capital, with teams like the Minnesota Vikings, picking at No. 11, potentially moving up to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
If the Titans trade down, six other tackles are projected as first-round prospects, including Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, a consensus first-team All-American and Big Ten offensive lineman of the year last season. Fashanu allowed zero sacks and only 10 pressures on 382 passing snaps last season, according to PFF.
Alternatively, if the Titans opt for a receiver later in the first round, they could consider Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell or LSU wideout Brian Thomas.
