INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 26: Isaiah Wilson #OL52 of Georgia interviews during the second day of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
The Tennessee Titans entered the draft hoping to build on their incredible late season run. How well did they fare with their six picks?
29
Isaiah Wilson
OT Georgia
On the one hand, it’s hard to fault the Tennessee Titans for making the first round selection that they did in Isaiah Wilson. Picking late in the first round, the draft’s best tackle prospects were already long gone and even the projects had started to be taken (e.g. Austin Jackson). In addition, if they waited another round, then even the upside cupboard would have likely been barren.
On the other hand, Isaiah Wilson is much more of a project at this point than what they needed to go given that so many excellent players—ready-made to plug and play for instant impact—were still available. In fact, entire position groups were yet untouched when the Titans submitted their virtual card with Wilson’s name on it—yet they selected him anyway.
The Titans can only hope and trust in their ability to develop the loads of natural talent that Wilson possesses. He’s big and strong and athletic and most of the things you’d want your tackle to be. He also needs work on his hands, his footwork, his recognition—basically he’s going to have to play his way into his potential.
Given the loss of Jack Conklin in free agency and the presence of Dennis Kelly as his replacement, it’s likely that Wilson simply learns on the fly even if that means some painful lessons learned along the way. Such is life for teams who need solid bookends these days.