NASHVILLE – The 2022 NFL season isn't even over.
The 2023 NFL Draft is still over three months away.
But it's never too early for mock drafts, huh?
ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. released his first mock for the upcoming draft, and the draft guru has the Titans taking Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. in the first round.
The Titans are currently scheduled to pick 11th overall.
Here's what Kiper said:
The Tennessee offense was a mess this season, which resulted in the firing of coordinator Todd Downing. General manager Jon Robinson was also let go, and you have to think Robinson's inability to get the offensive line up to par contributed to it. Longtime left tackle Taylor Lewan has played just 20 games over the past three seasons and could be an offseason cap casualty. There might be an opening on the left side. Johnson played guard for the Buckeyes in 2021 but moved to left tackle in 2022, and he was tremendous. He will be a plug-and-play starter in the top 15 picks.
A 6-foot-6, 315-pounder, Johnson has been a popular pick for the Titans in mock drafts.
Johnson is No. 11 on The Athletic's Dane Brugler's list of the top 50 draft prospects. A consensus five-star recruit, Johnson Jr. was the Buckeyes' starter at right guard in 2021 before kicking over to left tackle in 2022.
A year ago, the Titans selected another Ohio State lineman, Nicholas Petit-Frere, in the third round of the draft. Petit-Frere started 16 of 17 games for the Titans in 2022.
The 2023 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 27-29 in Kansas City.
