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Tennessee Titans NFL draft picks 2021: Analysis for every selection

The 2021 NFL draft was held April 29 through May 1, and every Tennessee Titans draft pick has been analyzed here.

After last season's virtual draft, Cleveland played host to festivities this year with a handful of potential draft picks present and socially distanced because of COVID-19.

Here's a pick-by-pick look at how each player Tennessee has selected will fit.

Analysis of every NFL pick | Updated NFL depth charts


Round 1, No. 22 overall: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

My take: Farley is a classic high-risk, high-reward player. The Titans felt the opportunity was too good to pass up just like when they selected Jeffery Simmons in the first round of the 2019 draft. A healthy Farley, who opted out of the 2020 season due to the pandemic, will be able to line up on the outside and be trusted in man coverage. He is more than willing as a tackler and can create turnovers. Adding Farley allows the Titans to use second-year cornerback Kristian Fulton on the inside as a nickel corner in sub packages. Farley finished the 2019 season with four interceptions and 12 passes defended.

Is his back healthy? Farley injured his L5 disc and suffered a bulged S1 disc. Those injuries along with not seeing him work out at Virginia Tech's pro day caused Farley, who by many is considered to be a top 10 player in the draft, to fall to the Titans. Farley explained that he chose to have a discectomy on the L5 herniation, which gave him immediate relief. Farley's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Farley will be ready to play when teams report to training camp in July. If Farley is able to return to form, he is capable of being a shutdown corner.

Robinson the risk taker: GM Jon Robinson is no stranger to taking risks with first-round picks. The Titans selected Corey Davis with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2017 draft despite him not being able to participate in the combine due to an ankle injury. Davis struggled initially before having a breakout season in 2018. A couple of years later, Robinson selected Simmons despite his suffering a torn ACL before the combine. It's fair to say both of those moves worked out for the Titans. Robinson seems confident Farley can return to form and give the Titans another premier player with a late pick.


Round 2, No. 53 overall: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State

My take: The Titans swung and missed by selecting Isaiah Wilson in the first round last year. Radunz played left tackle at North Dakota State but will convert to right tackle for the Titans. He isn't an instant plug-and-play starter so the Titans will have a legitimate competition on their hands with veterans Ty Sambrailo or Kendall Lamm in training camp. Radunz comes from a "small" school but the Bison ran an NFL-style offense with blocking schemes that should translate well to the Titans.


Round 3, No. 92 overall: Monty Rice, LB, Georgia

My take: Rice should be a core special teamer but a third-round pick seems a little rich for that. The Titans re-signed Jayon Brown to a deal that is essentially a one-year contract and are yet to pick up the fifth-year option for Rashaan Evans. So the need for depth at inside linebacker was there but could have been addressed later. Rice did show that he has some speed by running a 4.57 second time in the 40-yard dash at Georgia. He was used in coverage against running backs which should allow him to be used in spot duty for the Titans.


Round 3, No. 100 overall: Elijah Molden, CB, Washington

My take: Molden fits the Titans' aggressive defensive mindset. He is a versatile player who can be featured as a nickel corner and as a single high safety. He has NFL bloodlines -- his father is former New Orleans Saints cornerback Alex Molden. Elijah collected five interceptions and three forced fumbles in the last two seasons. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive back is a more than willing tackler as shown by his 79 tackles (49 solo) in 2019 and 26 tackles in four games last season. Picking Molden gives the Titans the luxury to wait for first-round pick Caleb Farley to get ready to play.


Round 4, No. 109 overall: Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, Louisville

My take: Fitzpatrick is a polished route runner that will come in and immediately compete for a job as an outside receiver. Although he's not the fastest receiver, Fitzpatrick is a legitimate deep threat (19.4 yards per catch last season). His 6-foot-2 size and ball skills allow him to play above the rim as well.


Round 4, No. 135 overall: Rashad Weaver, OLB/DE, Pittsburgh

My take: Weaver is a heavy-handed OLB/DE that is adept at playing both the run and the pass. He'll give the Titans a player who can stand up and rush the passer off the edge or put his hand in the dirt as a down lineman. Weaver isn't a twitchy type of pass-rusher but his strength and length (6-foot-4) help him find his way to the quarterback. The Titans waited to get an edge defender and Weaver was one of the better ones available on the board.


Round 6, No. 205 overall: Racey McMath, WR, LSU

My take: At 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds, McMath submitted a 4.34 second time in the 40-yard dash at LSU's pro day. It's clear that McMath possesses the necessary physical traits to be a solid pro. But he needs to improve his releases off the line of scrimmage and as a route runner. While fellow LSU WRs Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, and Terrace Marshall Jr. developed into star players, McMath was unable to take the next step. Maybe Titans WR coach Rob Moore can help unlock his potential.


Round 6, No. 215 overall: Brady Breeze, DB, Oregon

My take: Breeze should help the special teams coverage units. The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back doesn't possess outstanding size or play speed. He relied on effort to make plays at Oregon. Breeze isn't likely to be more than a depth player on defense for the Titans. This pick is somewhat confusing given how players such as slot WR Cade Johnson and OLB Quincy Roche were still on the board.