Tennessee Titans Perfect Fits at Tight End in Mid-Rounds of 2023 NFL Draft

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have needs all over the offense, but one of the positions that does not get discussed as often as the need would indicate is tight end. The Titans have second-year player Chig Okonkwo who had an impressive rookie year and they just signed blocking savant Trevon Wesco, but there is still an opening for a tight end that can blend those skill sets.

The Titans love using two-tight end sets on offense, but it can lead to downfalls if you don’t have the right talent. Last year, the Titans needed to use Goeff Swaim more than any NFL team should because he was the only tight end capable of what the Titans’ offense required as a blocker. Issue is, Swaim was not good enough in that role even if he was the best on the team at it. The other issue is, if you have Swaim on the field you have lost a threat in the passing game which is like tipping your hand or playing with a hand behind your back if you pass.

While Wesco is a much improved blocker compared to Swaim, he is still so limited as a pass catcher(eight career catches in four seasons) that he is more of a third tight end than someone you want in a starting role. Chig Okonkwo will be one of the starting tight ends, but his limitations as a blocker make him more suited for the secondary tight end role on early downs and the primary tight end spot on passing downs.

Luckily, this draft class of tight ends is considered one of the better groups that has ever come out and the Titans will have plenty of options throughout the draft to fill that role next to Okonkwo in the starting lineup. You have the names everyone knows at the top of the draft like Michael Mayer, Dalton Kincaid and Darnell Washington, but there are some other prospects that could be had in the mid-to-late rounds that could get the job done as well. Here are some good fits for the Titans and what our guys at Sports Illustrated’s Draft Bible have to say about them:

Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State — 6’5” / 254 LBs

“Kraft has experience lining up in-line, the slot, and out wide. The South Dakota native carries his weight with ease and possesses excellent size and density. Kraft still has room to add mass to his lower body, but he’s already strong enough to break arm tackles and shrug off shoulder tackles. He is a long strider who covers ground quickly. Kraft has the strength to play through contact early in the route and frequently physically overpowers defensive backs. His stiff arm is lethal for smaller defenders. Kraft high points and rises to the ball and offers significant upside in contested catch situations. The Timber Lake High School product also adjusts and drops down for low passes. He’s quick off the line and threatens the seam vertically. Kraft displays a strong clamp as a blocker. He usually correctly identifies potential threats and understands his blocking assignments. Kraft is an aggressive and willing blocker who plays angles well. He has the play strength to seal edge defenders and open rush lanes. The former FCS All-American drew nine penalties and dropped nine passes in the past two years. While he covers ground quickly with his strides, Kraft appears to lumber at times. He lacks high-end burst and isn’t sudden or twitchy. Kraft appears to have below-average arm length. He runs a limited route tree, and his routes are more rounded than crisp. There are instances of body catches on his tape. Kraft doesn’t generate consistent separation downfield and doesn’t sink his hips at the top of routes. He’s highly inexperienced in pass protection. His feet stop moving, and his hands deploy late while protecting the quarterback. The redshirt junior lunges into blocks, and his feet are all over the place. Kraft doesn’t block with a consistent base and struggles to land and sustain blocks in space. His pad level is high in all stages of the game.”

Sam LaPorta, Iowa — 6’3” / 245 LBs

“Height and weight of a traditional in-line tight end. Has also played flexed out and as an H back. Provided yards from underneath and intermediate routes, including crossers, posts, and seven routes. Smooth at the top of his route, showing precision in his footwork. A cerebral player that will exploit holes in zone coverage. Knows when to slow his tempo and be patient against leverage. Adjusts his stem accordingly and looks back for the ball in a timely manner. Exceptional reaction time, catching the front of the ball and getting upfield. Physical after the catch, making defenders bring their weight with them. Better agility than you think, cutting against defenders positioning and into green grass. Best blocking comes against defensive backs and linebackers, showing the propensity to seal and create alleys. Plays long through the point of attack and will contort his body based on the play-side call. Labors off the line of scrimmage. Fast-twitch acceleration is not a strong suit, analogous to a mack truck. Struggles to separate against defensive backs that can mirror him with lighter feet and looser hips. Has some drops that come in contested scenarios. Blocking woes come against defensive linemen and edge players where his power is mitigated. LaPorta looks to be the next tight end drafted in a long lineage of Hawkeye hybrids. With a skill set that gives you a little of everything, another solid season with cleanup in the aforementioned areas will place LaPorta firmly amongst the top of his position come the Draft.”

Payne Durham, Purdue — 6’5” / 253 LBs

“Good length and a stout, athletic frame. In-line Y alignment along with offset H-back and sniffer roles. Also played as a nub and #3 in 3x1 sets. Excellent blocker. Kicks out linebackers in the run game, terrific on the perimeter when leading on screens. Consistent hands catcher, with significant radius. Great over the middle and in contested catch situations. Excellent elevation with the ability to high-point the ball. Can run seams and benders and make grabs in the face of defenders while taking hits. Not a very fluid or sudden athlete. Has some trouble sinking his hips and getting in-out of breaks. Not a run after the catch threat. Doesn’t have another gear or vertical element to score in the open field. Takes what’s given and presents some physicality but won’t make anyone miss in space. While he’s good at blocking second or tertiary-level defenders, pass rushers give him trouble and win easily in 1v1 scenarios. Durham won’t blow you away athletically but his physical blocking, easy pass-catching, and zone coverage recognition make him a worthy draft prospect.” 

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