NASHVILLE - The Titans selected Washington cornerback Elijah Molden in the third round of Friday night's NFL Draft.
Molden was taken with the 100th overall pick. It was a compensatory pick awarded to the Titans this offseason.
"In the back of my head, I was hoping to be Titan, and I mean that sincerely," Molden said after being picked. "Even from the jump, I told my parents and my fiancée I had a feeling I'd end up a Titan, and sure enough. … It's crazy it worked out the way it did. I know God has a plan for me, and I am looking forward to being in Tennessee."
Molden (5-10, 195) earned second team All Pac-12 Conference honors in 2020. He was also named second‐team All‐American by Pro Football Focus, which also named him Pac‐12 Player of the Year. He was in on 26 tackles and he also tallied an interception in 2020.
Molden, who played in the slot and in the safety in college, was named first team All Pac-12 in 2019 after recording 79 tackles, 5 ½ tackles for a loss, 17 passes defensed, four interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Molden's father, Alex, played at Oregon, and he was the 11th overall pick of the New Orleans Saints in 1996. Alex Molden played eight seasons in the NFL with the Saints, Chargers and Lions.
Molden made it clear he is happy with his landing spot.
"From the outside looking in, the Titans were always a team that did it the right way," Molden said. "They're a gritty, tough-nosed team and front office and they play tough-nosed football. And honestly, too, Tennessee is not a bad place to live. I am super grateful to be a part of this organization, and ready to get to work."
The Titans are scheduled to make six picks in rounds 4-7 on the final day of the draft on Saturday.
With the 100th pick, the Tennessee Titans select Washington DB Elijah Molden. (AP Images)
Washington's Elijah Molden reaches for the ball during an NCAA college football practice Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden in action against Utah during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Utah tight end Brant Kuithe, left, runs the ball as Washington defensive back Elijah Molden (3) closes in during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden in action against Oregon State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden in action against Oregon State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden walks on the field after an NCAA college football game against Oregon State, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2019, file photo, Washington defensive back Elijah Molden breaks up a pass intended for Utah wide receiver Samson Nacua during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Seattle. Molden was selected to The Associated Press All-Pac 12 Conference team, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
Utah wide receiver Samson Nacua makes a reception in front of Washington defensive back Elijah Molden in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Seattle. Utah won 33-28. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden in action against Oregon State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington cornerback Elijah Molden (3) covers Oregon State wide receiver Jesiah Irish during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden in action against Oregon State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington's Elijah Molden stands on the field against North Dakota in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Stanford's Cameron Scarlett, center, is tackled by Washington's Elijah Molden, left, and Brandon Wellington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden (3) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden in action against Hawaii during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington defensive back Elijah Molden runs against Ohio State during the first half of the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
