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3 players the Tennessee Titans should target in the 2021 NFL Draft

By Cole Thompson

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 10: The Tennessee Titans prepare to take the field prior to their AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 10: The Tennessee Titans prepare to take the field prior to their AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Titans could be a great team in the AFC for years to come. However, they’ll need to fix several needs at the NFL Draft. 

What happens when you give a defensive-minded coach an offense that won’t quit? You call it the Tennessee Titans in 2020.

Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry were two of the biggest breakout stars from 2019. After much debate on if their contracts were worthy of the hype, both exceeded expectations tenfold. Henry took it a step further, becoming the eighth player in league history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.

Too bad the defense was a liability late, costing the Music City club a chance at the Lombardi Trophy at the hands of Lamar Jackson’s legs.

Tennessee couldn’t generate a pass rush to save their lives. They were the worst team on stopping third down conversions. On top of all that, the secondary really struggled against pass-happy teams late in the season. Could this be a concern for years to come?

With the right moves in the 2021 NFL Draft, the AFC South should belong to Tennessee over the next few seasons.

Three ideal targets for the Titans in the 2021 NFL Draft

College football
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 24: Rashod Bateman #0 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball against the Michigan Wolverines in the third quarter of the game at TCF Bank Stadium on October 24, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Wolverines defeated the Gophers 49-24. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. Minnesota. player. 852. Pick Analysis. WR. Rashod Bateman . 3

One of the best developments for the Titans all season was the emergence of Corey Davis. Entering his fourth season, the former top-five pick looked like a bust after three seasons with the franchise. Instead, Davis became a bonafide perfect No. 2 weapon, hauling in a career-best 65 catches for 984 yards and five scores.

Why is this a problem? The Titans didn’t pick up Davis’ fifth-year option, meaning he’ll be a free agent come March. Can the team find a way to keep him long-term?

Even if the Titans manage to bring back Davis, the NFL is becoming a three-receiver set league. Adam Humphries has failed to live up to his contract in two season, but Rashod Bateman could be a cheaper option. The Minnesota product is a good route-runner, but also have a reach that allows overshot balls to land in his basket.

AJ Brown brings a physical presence when playing in the open field. Bateman is cut from the same cloth when trying to pick up the first down. Similar to Dallas last season, adding another weapon to create a trifecta of talent might be what takes Tennessee’s offense from good to great in 2021.

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