Who Mel Kiper Jr. mock draft predicts Tennessee Titans will pick at No. 11 in first round
NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN released his first mock draft for 2023 and predicts the Tennessee Titans selecting a plug-and-play starter on the offensive line with the No. 11 pick.
Kiper projects the Titans to select Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with their first round pick. Describing the pick, Kiper says the Titans need help on offense and that help needs to start up front.
"The Tennessee offense was a mess this season, which resulted in the firing of coordinator Todd Downing," Kiper wrote. "General manager Jon Robinson also was let go, and you have to think Robinson's inability to get the offensive line up to par contributed to it. Longtime left tackle Taylor Lewan has played just 20 games over the past three seasons and could be an offseason cap casualty. There might be an opening on the left side. Johnson played guard for the Buckeyes in 2021 but moved to left tackle in 2022, and he was tremendous. He will be a plug-and-play starter in the top 15 picks."
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Johnson started 13 games at left tackle for Ohio State this season, allowing just two sacks and grading as the 12th-best offensive lineman in college football per Pro Football Focus. As a guard in 2021, Johnson didn't allow any sacks and graded among the top 50 run blockers in college football.
The Titans drafted a plug-and-play offensive tackle from Ohio State last season as well, selecting Nicholas Petit-Frere in the third round and starting him at right tackle in 16 of 17 games.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel is a former Ohio State player and assistant coach.
Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on Twitter @nicksuss.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Mel Kiper pick for Tennessee Titans in first 2023 NFL Draft mock
