Which 2022 NFL draft prospects make most sense for Tennessee Titans? Here are 12 names to watch

Who are the draft prospects this year that make the most sense for the Tennessee Titans?

With the 2022 NFL Draft starting April 28, here are 12 names to watch – from various positions – in the early and mid-rounds:

Quarterback Desmond Ridder

School: Cincinnati

Measurables: 6-3, 207 pounds.

2021 stats (14 games): 251-of-387 (64.9%), 3,334 yards, 30 TDs, 8 INTs

If the Titans look to draft their quarterback of the future, Ridder has the profile to be their guy. He’s a traditional pocket passer, but he has the athleticism to make plays with his feet. Some draft evaluators also praise his ability to quickly process what defenses are giving him and hold defenders to create passing windows.

With Ryan Tannehill being one of the players he models his game after, Ridder could embrace sitting behind him for at least a season.

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Wide receiver Treylon Burks

School: Arkansas

Measurables: 6-3, 225 pounds.

2021 stats (12 games): 66 receptions, 1,104 yards, 11 TDs

With similarities to A.J. Brown, Burks is a physical receiver who is a big yards-after-the-catch threat. More than 68% of his catches last season came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage, according to The Athletic, but he still led the SEC with 22 plays of 20-plus yards.

Offensive tackle Trevor Penning

School: Northern Iowa

Measurables: 6-7, 325 pounds.

2021 stats (12 games): 12 starts at left tackle

Penning could be a home-run pick for the Titans if he cleans up his on-field discipline. The nastiness he plays with in the run and pass game would make him an ideal fit in Tennessee’s scheme.

Tight end Jeremy Ruckert

School: Ohio State

Measurables: 6-5, 250 pounds.

2021 stats (13 games): 26 receptions, 309 yards, 3 TDs

Just like in the Titans’ offense, tight ends at Ohio State are mostly used as blockers. And Rucker showed enough as a pass catcher that would make him a strong addition for Tennessee, too. He had 12 touchdowns on 54 career receptions.

Guard Kenyon Green

School: Texas A&M

Measurables: 6-4, 323 pounds.

2021 stats (12 games): 7 starts at left guard, 2 starts at right guard, 2 starts at right tackle, one start at left tackle

Green projects to be an immediate starter at left guard, where the Titans must replace Rodger Saffold. The Texas A&M star also has the versatility to help all over the offensive line.

Running back Brian Robinson Jr.

School: Alabama

Measurables: 6-1, 225 pounds.

2021 stats (14 games): 271 carries, 1,343 yards, 14 TDs; 35 receptions, 296 yards, 2 TDs

Robinson is a big back with a physical running style, like Derrick Henry. And he doesn’t have much wear and tear compared to other running backs in the draft. Robinson was a one-year starter in college.

In Tennessee he’d have to wait to be the No. 1 option, but that wouldn’t be a problem because of the value he could bring on special teams. That’s where Robinson made his mark in a deep Alabama running back room that featured Najee Harris, Josh Jacobs, Bo Scarborough and Damien Harris when he was a freshman.

Quarterback Matt Corral

School: Ole Miss

Measurables: 6-2, 205 pounds.

2021 stats (13 games): 262-of-386 (67.9%), 3,349 yards, 20 TDs, 5 INTs

Coming from Lane Kiffin’s RPO-based scheme at Ole Miss, there are questions about Corral’s ability to find success without predetermined reads and play-action. But he was an accurate passer and strong runner in college, flashing the kind of dual-threat ability that many of the league’s top quarterbacks possess.

Running back Dameon Pierce

School: Florida

Measurables: 5-10, 215 pounds.

2021 stats (13 games): 100 carries, 574 yards, 13 TDs; 19 receptions, 216 yards, 3 TDs

Pierce, a violent runner with strong contact balance, has the tools to give the Titans the kind of power back they need to replace D’Onta Foreman – and be an eventual successor to Henry. The appealing quality about Pierce, too, is that he doesn’t have much tread on the tires. He carried the ball just 329 times in four seasons.

He would also provide immediate value on special teams, where he was a mainstay for Florida.

Wide receiver Alec Pierce

School: Cincinnati

Measurables: 6-3, 213 pounds.

2021 stats (14 games): 52 receptions, 884 yards, 8 TDs

With elite high-pointing skills for making contested catches (a 40.5-inch vertical), Pierce would give Tannehill a big and athletic target on the outside.

Tight end Jelani Woods

School: Virginia

Measurables: 6-7, 375 pounds.

2021 stats (11 games): 44 receptions, 598 yards, 8 TDs

Woods is a physical, mammoth target who would give the Titans intriguing pass-catch potential at the tight end spot. He led all ACC tight ends last season with eight touchdown catches.

Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields

School: Penn State

Measurables: 6-1, 197 pounds.

2021 stats (nine games): 25 tackles (including 2.5 for loss), 6 PBUs, 1 INT

As a four-year starter in a Power 5 program, Castro-Fields as a rookie could provide competitive depth, which is needed with lingering health concerns around projected starter and 2021 first-round pick Caleb Farley.

Cornerback Alontae Taylor

School: Tennessee

Measurables: 6-0, 199 pounds.

2021 stats (12 games): 60 tackles (one for loss), 8 PBUs, 2 INT, 1 FF

According to The Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler, Taylor could have the versatility to play safety, which would make him valuable to a Tennessee secondary that could benefit from versatile depth following Dane Cruikshank’s departure in free agency.

Taylor, who was a standout at Coffee County High School, could have an instant impact on special teams as a gunner.

Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at barthur@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Which 2022 NFL draft prospects make most sense for Tennessee Titans?