2020 NFL Mock Draft: Tennessee Titans take tackle

Austin Jackson, OT, USC

The Titans made quite the run during the 2019 season into the NFL playoffs, ending the seasons of the league MVP, Lamar Jackson, and also ending Tom Brady’s career in New England. Tennessee accomplished this through a dominant, ball control running game, and lock down defence. Free Agency highlights included Jack Conklin, who started 57 games at RT over the past four seasons, departed for Cleveland, fan favorite and nine year veteran Jurrell Casey was traded to Denver in a salary shedding move, former top ten pick Vic Beasley was signed to a one year ‘prove it’ deal to provide EDGE pressure and Dorial Green-Beckham trade fodder, OT Dennis Kelly, was re-signed to a three year deal.

Heading into the draft, continuing to add talent to the Offensive and Defensive lines remains a priority, and led to the selection of USC OT Austin Jackson. Jackson is a 20 year old Junior who started 25 games at left tackle and appeared in 39 during his college career. At the NFL combine, Jackson tested well during on field drills, and demonstrated the requisite size and athleticism of a starting offensive tackle in the NFL.

Austin Jackson Spider Graph

The Titans should be very happy to find this blend of size, athleticism and upside late on Day 1. These traits are visible in his athleticism to block speed rushers on the edge, reach block, and take on linebackers on the second level. With quick feet and lateral agility, he is able to mirror rushers in pass protection. Prior to his Junior season, Jackson showed his character and courage by undergoing surgery to donate bone marrow to his sister.

Jackson needs to improve in his hand technique and placement, and must get stronger through work with NFL strength and conditioning. That being said, several scouting sources, including Daniel Jeremiah who ranked Jackson at 28 overall on his most recent big board, conclude that while Jackson is not yet a finished product, he demonstrates the skill set required of a franchise left tackle.

The draft should be used to continue to stock the prospect pipeline, and Jackson is a tantalizing developmental prospect that when ready should slot in at RT on the Titans’ o-line. In the modern NFL, the best offensive tackles are able to pass block, run block, pull, and act as a mobile chess piece in the screen game. You can’t get away with plugging in a road grading plodder at RT. Over the years, Tennessee has prioritized strong bookend Tackles from Micheal Roos and David Stewart, to Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin, and can look to the future with Lewan and Jackson. Tennessee has a strong track record of developing offensive linemen, and Jackson has the talent and ability to continue that trend. Selecting Austin Jackson in the first round keeps the Titans strong in the trenches, adds to the strength of the roster, and will continue to make Derrick Henry the monster that he is in the running game.

USC O-line vs Iowa 2019:

2020 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Bengals (grantspectations): QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington (ablesser88): EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions (CMG97): CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants (selgae aihpledalihp): LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins (dceagles): WR CeeDee Lamb
6) Chargers (dapeltz13): QB Tua Tagovailoa
7) Panthers (wardbell92): DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals (drc242): OT Mekhi Becton
9) Jaguars (Palaniappan K M): OT Tristan Wirfs
10) Browns (WentzAndFolesFan): WR Jerry Jeudy
11) Jets (Dr_Horrible): OT Jedrick Wills
12) Raiders (Phillysolo): WR Henry Ruggs III
13) 49ers (eagles0132): OT Andrew Thomas
14) Buccaneers (BuckeyedEagles): DT Javon Kinlaw
15) Broncos (J. Wil): S Xavier McKinney
16) Falcons (Kephas): EDGE A.J. Epenesa
17) Cowboys (PhillyBirdGang): S Grant Delpit
18) Dolphins (dshelton5): QB Justin Herbert
19) Raiders (fredhugo): CB Kristian Fulton
20) Jaguars (ItownBallers22): EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
21) Eagles (20Safety_Hazards): CB C.J. Henderson
22) Vikings (SadJediShark): CB Jeff Gladney
23) Patriots (Phoenix X Minimus): LB Kenneth Murray
24) Saints (big DUB): LB Patrick Queen
25) Vikings (MrW254): EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos
26) Dolphins (SemperFilly): RB D’Andre Swift
27) Seahawks (mattywils): OT Josh Jones
28) Ravens (Dirtybirdy47): WR Justin Jefferson
29) Titans (mr_england): OT Austin Jackson
30) Packers (Nishant R SambhiReddy):
31) 49ers (Fly Like An Eagle):
32) Chiefs (Leo Bedio):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Titans should pick in the 2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft

1) Bengals: QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington: EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions: CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants: LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa
6) Chargers: QB Justin Herbert
7) Panthers: DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals: OT Mekhi Becton
9) Jaguars: OT Tristan Wirfs
10) Browns: OT Andrew Thomas
11) Jets: OT Jedrick Wills
12) Raiders: WR CeeDee Lamb
13) 49ers: WR Jerry Jeudy
14) Buccaneers: DT Javon Kinlaw
15) Broncos: WR Henry Ruggs III
16) Falcons: EDGE A.J. Epenesa
17) Cowboys: CB C.J. Henderson
18) Dolphins: OT Josh Jones
19) Raiders: CB Kristian Fulton
20) Jaguars: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
21) Eagles: WR Justin Jefferson
22) Vikings: CB Jeff Gladney
23) Patriots: QB Jordan Love
24) Saints: LB Patrick Queen
25) Vikings: WR Denzel Mims
26) Dolphins: S Xavier McKinney
27) Seahawks: EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos
28) Ravens: LB Kenneth Murray
29) Titans: