6 NFL Draft targets for Tennessee Titans to watch at 2022 Senior Bowl

Less than two weeks after a crushing divisional-round playoff loss, the Tennessee Titans are kicking their draft evaluation process into high gear.

The NFL this week will descend on Mobile, Alabama, for the 2022 Senior Bowl, an all-star showcase for top NFL draft prospects who have completed their college eligibility. The prospects will practice in front of NFL coaches and talent evaluators Tuesday through Thursday before playing in the game Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium at the University of South Alabama (1:30 p.m. CT, NFL Network).

Six of the Titans’ eight-player 2021 draft class participated in last year’s Senior Bowl: offensive lineman Dillon Radunz (second round), linebacker Monty Rice (third round), defensive back Elijah Molden (third round), receiver Dez Fitzpatrick (fourth round), outside linebacker Rashad Weaver (fourth round) and receiver Racey McMath (sixth round).

Which participants from this year’s Senior Bowl could be on the Titans’ roster in 2022?

Here are six names to watch:

WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Position: wide receiver

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 184 pounds

College stats (2018-21; 42 games ): 183 receptions, 2,757 yards, 25 TDs

The Titans’ need for wide receiver depth was glaring in how Ryan Tannehill and the passing game struggled without A.J. Brown and Julio Jones.

A smaller receiver, Dotson was one of the best in the country at his position last season, with a knack for ball tracking and strong route-running skills. Dotson had 10 career 100-yard receiving games at Penn State, tied for second all-time in program history.

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Trey McBride, Colorado State

Position: tight end

Height: 6-4

Weight: 260

College stats (2018-21; 40 games): 164 receptions, 2,100 yards, 10 TDs

The most complete tight end in this draft is McBride, a pass-catching force (he had more than 1,000 yards receiving last season) and a strong blocker. He could be off the board at the end of the first round. The Titans have the 26th pick.

Tennessee didn't adequately fill the void left at tight end by Jonnu Smith’s departure in free agency. McBride could be a strong red-zone target in the Titans’ offense.

Malik Willis, Liberty

Position: quarterback

Height: 6-1

Weight: 225

College stats (2017-21; 35 games): 388-for-618, 5,176 yards, 48 TDs, 18 INTs

Tannehill’s regression could lead the Titans to look for their quarterback of the future. And in a draft considered weak at the position, none appears to have more upside than Willis, an Auburn transfer who lit it up for two seasons at Liberty with his strong arm and mobility as a runner.

Ed Ingram, LSU

Position: guard

Height: 6-4

Weight: 320

College stats (2017, 2019-21; 45 games): 34 starts

A second-team All-SEC selection by the coaches, Ingram made 22 starts for LSU at left guard (the other 12 at right guard). Titans left guard Rodger Saffold is a cap-casualty candidate.

Darian Kinnard, Kentucky

Position: offensive tackle

Height: 6-5

Weight: 345

College stats (2018-21; 46 games): 39 consecutive starts

The Titans could be in the offensive tackle market with the futures of Taylor Lewan, a cap-casualty candidate, and David Quessenberry, a pending restricted free agent, uncertain to return to an O-line that regressed in pass protection.

Kinnard, a Knoxville native, was a consensus first-team All-American as a senior. He was one three Power Five offensive tackles to grade at 85 or better as both a run and pass blocker, according to Pro Football Focus.

JT Woods (Baylor)

Position: safety

Height: 6-2

Weight: 193

College stats (2018-21; 46 games): 157 tackles (eight for loss), eight interceptions, five passes defended, five fumble recoveries, two sacks

The Titans could lose in free agency Dane Cruikshank, their top tight end stopper, who was the No. 3 safety to Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker and utilized heavily in sub packages.

Woods passes the eye test with good length and size for his position. The need for more takeaways was a theme at Tennessee’s end-of-season press conferences, and Woods proved he was a playmaker at Baylor, with five interceptions – including one returned for a touchdown – last season.

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: 6 NFL Draft targets for Tennessee Titans to watch at 2022 Senior Bowl