How Tennessee Titans can ace the rest of 2022 NFL Draft — after taking a QB in Round 1

Let’s say the Tennessee Titans do, in fact, draft Ryan Tannehill’s successor with their first-round pick later this month.

How would the rest of their draft shake out?

For the second time, The Tennessean has put together a seven-round 2022 NFL mock draft for the Titans. An extension of the first-round mock draft 3.0, it assumes Tennessee selected Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder at No. 32 and acquired an extra third-round pick (No. 66) from the Detroit Lions for pick 26.

Here’s the full breakdown:

Round 1, No. 32 overall (via Detroit Lions): Desmond Ridder, quarterback, Cincinnati

Measurables: 6-3, 211 pounds.

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

Assuming the Titans move on from quarterback Ryan Tannehill after the 2022 season, when they could save $17.8 million against the salary cap, they’ll need to draft a quarterback this year or next, and doing so this year could make more sense. As a perennial playoff contender, Tennessee drafts in the back half of the first round (it hasn’t drafted better than No. 19 in the first round since 2017), which is typically out of the range of top quarterbacks. This year is an exception, with a weak quarterback class. Multiple top prospects at the position could be in Tennessee’s range.

Drafting a quarterback, like Ridder, would allow him to be mentored by Tannehill and learn the offense for at least a year before he takes the reins. That could offer a more seamless transition to the win-now Titans than drafting a quarterback next year into a Tannehill-less team.

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Ridder is a more of a traditional pocket passer, but he has the kind of athleticism that has become increasingly important at football’s most valued position. The former Cincinnati star led all quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine last month in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and broad jump.

A fun fact to chew on: Ridder has said he models his game after Tannehill.

Round 3, No. 66 overall (via Lions): Max Mitchell, offensive tackle, Louisiana

Measurables: 6-6, 307.

2021 stats: 13 starts at right tackle.

Pass protection was a major issue for the Titans last season – Tannehill was sacked 47 times, second most in the NFL – and Mitchell is a solution on paper at right tackle, a glaring need.

Mitchell was the highest-graded offensive tackle in the nation last season, according to Pro Football Focus, allowing just 13 pressures among 859 snaps. He was part of a Louisiana offensive line that allowed just 1.86 sacks per game (42nd nationally).

With Mitchell at right tackle, 2021 second-round pick Dillon Radunz could compete with versatile offensive lineman Jamarco Jones at left guard next season. Long term, though, Radunz and Mitchell could be Tennessee’s offensive tackles.

Round 3, No. 90 overall: Khalil Shakir, wide receiver, Boise State

Measurables: 6-0, 196.

2021 stats (12 games): 77 receptions, 1,117 yards, 7 TDs.

It would be surprising if the Titans didn’t invest an early round pick on a receiver, considering the weakness the room displayed outside of A.J. Brown. Tennessee acquired a proven No. 2 option in Robert Woods via trade, but he tore his ACL in November and it’s unclear when he’ll be 100%.

According to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, Shakir has the “will to outperform the guy across from him,” which is the kind of mindset Tennessee needs more of at receiver. Beyond Brown (and Julio Jones, when he was healthy), winning against man coverage was an issue last season.

On top of competitiveness, Shakir brings versatility at receiver and special teams value as a returner.

Round 4, No. 131 overall: Trade!

Titans move up in the fourth round, dealing this pick and No. 219 (sixth round) to the Philadelphia Eagles for pick No. 124.

Round 4, No. 124 overall (via Eagles): Brian Robinson, running back, Alabama

Measurables: 6-2, 225.

2021 stats (14 games): 271 carries, 1,343 yards, 14 TDs.

With Derrick Henry missing nine games last year because of a Jones fracture, his first major injury in the NFL, the Titans can’t be sure their superstar running back will regain his old form, or that he won't regress. D’Onta Foreman, who led the committee approach with Henry sidelined last season, signed with the Panthers in free agency.

This brings us to Robinson. Like Henry, he’s a bigger running back. The Titans could groom him to be Henry’s long-term replacement and spell the two-time Pro Bowler as needed in 2022. Robinson doesn’t have as much mileage on his body as other running backs in this draft – he didn’t become Alabama’s go-to back until 2021 – which could work to Tennessee’s benefit.

Round 4, No. 143 overall: Cordale Flott, cornerback, LSU

Measurables: 6-0, 175.

2021 stats (11 games): 41 tackles, 4 PBUs, 1 INT, 1 FF.

If 2021 first-rounder Caleb Farley doesn’t put together a healthy season, the Titans could be in trouble at cornerback. So they may look for depth at the position.

Zierlein says Flott has “athletic upside,” with speed and length to be an outside cornerback.

Round 5, No. 169 overall: Bryan Cook, safety, Cincinnati

Measurables: 6-1, 206.

2021 stats (14 games): 96 tackles, 1 sack, 9 PBUs, 2 INTs.

The Titans need more depth at safety behind starters Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker after losing Dane Cruikshank in free agency to the Bears.

Cook played a key role in Cincinnati ranking first in the nation in pass efficiency defense last season.

Round 6, No. 204 overall: Chig Okonkwo, tight end, Maryland

Measurables: 6-2, 238.

2021 stats (12 games): 19 receptions, 201 yards, 2 TDs

Tight end isn’t as pressing a need for the Titans as it was a month ago. They added in free agency Austin Hooper, who projects as their No. 1 tight end, and re-signed Geoff Swaim for depth. But Okonkwo could have H-back and fullback potential in Tennessee’s scheme on top of special teams value.

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: Tennessee Titans 7-round mock draft: What happens if QB taken first?