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Trading up at the top of the 2022 NFL Draft seems unlikely for the Tennessee Titans, who are without a second-round pick this year. And even if they want to trade back in the first round, there’s a chance they won’t be able to find a team to do that with.
If the Titans stay put at No. 26, who should their selection be?
The Tennessean has mocked the top pick for the Titans and the rest of the first round for the fifth and final time ahead of the draft, which begins Thursday.
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Here’s the breakdown:
1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Aidan Hutchinson, edge, Michigan
Hutchinson has been considered the top overall prospect since early in the pre-draft process.
2. DETROIT LIONS: Travon Walker, edge, Georgia
The rebuilding Lions need high-impact players immediately. Walker is one at a position of need, as Detroit ranked in the bottom five in sacks and run defense last season.
3. HOUSTON TEXANS: Ikem Ekwonu, offensive tackle/guard, N.C. State
The Texans invest in second-year quarterback Davis Mills’ development, grabbing arguably the best offensive lineman in the draft to protect him.
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4. NEW YORK JETS: Kayvon Thibodeaux, edge, Oregon
Thibodeaux may have the highest ceiling of any pass rusher in the draft. The Jets need a big boost in that department as they tied for 25th in sacks in 2021.
5. NEW YORK GIANTS: Evan Neal, offensive tackle, Alabama
With Andrew Thomas already in place protecting Daniel Jones’ blindside, Neal playing the right side would give the Giants two bookend players for the foreseeable future at offensive tackle.
6. CAROLINA PANTHERS: Malik Willis, quarterback, Liberty
The Panthers bank on Willis’ upside turning into legitimate franchise quarterback material.
7. NEW YORK GIANTS (VIA CHICAGO BEARS): Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, cornerback, Cincinnati
With 2020 Pro Bowler James Bradberry potentially on the move, the Giants could be eyeing cornerbacks at the top of the draft.
8. ATLANTA FALCONS: Garrett Wilson, wide receiver, Ohio State
The Falcons are depleted at receiver after losing Calvin Ridley to a year-long suspension and Russell Gage in free agency.
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9. TRADE! NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (VIA SEATTLE SEAHAWKS): Kenny Pickett, quarterback, Pittsburgh
Seahawks get: No. 16, No. 49 (second round)
Saints get: No. 9
New Orleans moves up seven spots to take Pickett, who it believes can be its quarterback in the long term. He could push Jameis Winston to be the starter in 2022.
10. TRADE! PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (VIA NEW YORK JETS): Trent McDuffie, cornerback, Washington
Jets get: No. 15, No. 83 (third round), No. 154 (fifth round)
Eagles get: No. 10
The Eagles need a starting cornerback opposite Pro Bowler Darius Slay.
11. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS: Kyle Hamilton, safety, Notre Dame
After releasing Landon Collins earlier this offseason, the Commanders could fill the safety void with Hamilton, who is described as a unicorn at the position.
12. MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Derek Stingley Jr., cornerback, LSU
The Vikings have room for competition at the No. 2 cornerback spot with Cameron Dantzler.
13. HOUSTON TEXANS (VIA CLEVELAND BROWNS): Jameson Williams, wide receiver, Alabama
If not for a torn ACL, Williams likely would’ve been a top-10 pick in this draft.
14. BALTIMORE RAVENS: Jermaine Johnson, edge, Florida State
Pass rush help has remained a top need for the Ravens after ZaDarius Smith backed out of his free-agent deal.
15. NEW YORK JETS (VIA PHILADELPHIA EAGLES): Drake London, wide receiver, USC
The Jets reportedly pursued Tyreek Hill before his eventual trade to the Dolphins, so chances are they’re looking to draft high at receiver.
16. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (VIA NEW ORLEANS SAINTS): Charles Cross, offensive tackle, Mississippi State
If the Seahawks target Russell Wilson’s replacement in next year’s draft, offensive tackle could be the priority with their top pick this year. Both their starting offensive tackles last season, Duane Brown and Brandon Shell, are free agents.
17. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: Trevor Penning, offensive tackle, Northern Iowa
The Chargers landed their left tackle of the future last year in Rashawn Slater. Now, it’s time to shore up the right side.
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18. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (VIA NEW ORLEANS SAINTS): Devin Lloyd, inside linebacker, Utah
The Eagles go best available at linebacker, a position of need.
19. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (VIA PHILADELPHIA EAGLES): Chris Olave, wide receiver, Ohio State
Continuing to place trust in Jalen Hurts, the Eagles take a receiver in the first round for the third straight year.
20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Desmond Ridder, quarterback, Cincinnati
Mitchell Trubisky may be the Steelers starting quarterback in 2022, but Ridder will be the long-term replacement for the retired Ben Roethlisberger.
21. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Treylon Burks, wide receiver, Arkansas
The Patriots need to get second-year quarterback Mac Jones a true No. 1 receiver.
22. GREEN BAY PACKERS (VIA LAS VEGAS RAIDERS): Jahan Dotson, wide receiver, Penn State
Green Bay must find a way to replace superstar Davante Adams, who was traded to Las Vegas last month.
23. TRADE! KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (VIA ARIZONA CARDINALS): Andrew Booth Jr., cornerback, Clemson
Cardinals get: No. 30, 62 (second round)
Chiefs get: No. 23
The Chiefs have a gaping hole at cornerback after losing Charvarius Ward in free agency.
24. DALLAS COWBOYS: Tyler Linderbaum, center, Iowa
Dallas needs reinforcements on the interior offensive line after losing Connor Williams in free agency.
25. BUFFALO BILLS: Devonte Wyatt, defensive tackle, Georgia
On a Bills’ roster with few holes, interior defensive line could be an area of focus after releasing Star Lotulelei and losing Harrison Phillips in free agency.
26. TENNESSEE TITANS: Kenyon Green, guard, Texas A&M
Green is arguably the best-available player and is a potential Day 1 starter at left guard, one of the biggest holes on the Titans roster following the release of Rodger Saffold.
27. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Zion Johnson, guard, Boston College
Even with trading for Shaq Mason last month, Tampa Bay is still in need of another starting guard.
28. GREEN BAY PACKERS: George Karlaftis, edge, Purdue
The Packers go best available with their original first-round pick.
29. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (VIA SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS): Arnold Ebiketie, edge, Penn State
Kansas City needs to get younger on the edge with Frank Clark approaching his age-29 season.
30. ARIZONA CARDINALS (VIA KANSAS CITY CHIEFS): Boye Mafe, edge, Minnesota
The Cardinals lost Chandler Jones in free agency, cut Jordan Phillips and J.J. Watt has missed 18 games since 2019. Reinforcements are needed across the defensive front.
31. CINCINNATI BENGALS: Kaiir Elam, cornerback, Florida
The Bengals shore up their cornerback depth with their top pick after prioritizing the offensive line in free agency.
32. DETROIT LIONS (VIA LOS ANGELES RAMS): Daxton Hill, cornerback/safety, Michigan
The Lions go best available, and stay in-state, to close the first round.
Ben Arthur covers the Tennessee Titans for The USA TODAY Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at @benyarthur.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans NFL mock draft 5.0: Titans stay at No. 26, land OL
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