Tennessee Titans draft needs: What should GM Ran Carthon's plan for 2023 class be?

The Tennessee Titans went from being a postseason dark horse in the 2021 NFL season to being one of the bigger disappointments of the 2022 season.

They performed well below expectations, and Mike Vrabel was forced to manage a roster that left much to be desired from a team-building standpoint. That was unfortunate, as Titans GM Ran Carthon is known to be one of the better squad builders in the NFL.

The 2023 NFL draft is a stone's throw away, and the Titans have some glaring positional needs. The most obvious are offensive tackles, wide receivers, tight ends, cornerbacks and EDGE positions. How can Carthon and his front office address the team's needs effectively?

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What should be Tennessee Titans GM Ran Carthon's plan for 2023 class?

Titans GM Ran Carthon is in a dicey position right now. The NFL knows that the Titans are all about their run game, so defensive coordinators can easily game plan around that.

Hence, Carthon needs to be creative and draft some positional players to help change the team's identity or give them an alternative. Here's what Ran Carthon's plan for the 2023 NFL draft class should be in ascending order of need:

#3 Draft a tight end

The modern NFL places a premium on versatile offensive weapons, and what offensive position is as versatile as the tight end position?

A decent TE can be a menace in the ball-catching department and a stud in the run-blocking department. The Tennessee Titans need to be more robust in the tight end room, so it might be time to fix that flaw.

They could select Tucker Kraft of South Dakota State University. Kraft could take advantage of nice areas in the Titans' passing game. He would help create a solid one-two punch with the second-year pro, Chigoziem Okonkwo, coming off a solid rookie season.

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#2 Draft a wide receiver

We all know how vital wideouts are in the NFL, as this position has taken over the mantle from running back as the most important offensive position (asides from QB).

The Tennessee Titans last had an elite wideout not too long ago. Hence, Ryan Tannehill is forced to hand off the ball to Derrick Henry a gazillion times a game. Ran Carthon has to nip this issue in the bud, and he will get the chance to correct this flaw in this month's draft.

The Titans could and should select Jalin Hyatt in this year's draft. First, Hyatt was a stud for the Tennessee Volunteers, so he won't have to head out of his city. Moreover, he's an absolutely talented prospect who gets super slept on, so he will likely have a chip on his shoulder heading into the league.

Coach Mike Vrabel has repeatedly said that the Titans need to get quicker. Hyatt could be that guy.

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#1 Draft an offensive tackle

While we have been particular about the Tennessee Titans diversifying their offensive game plan, it's even more critical that they double down on what they know best: the run game.

The Tennessee Titans have one of the most fearsome run games in the NFL, and they have the physical specimen in King Henry to rush the ball. However, King Henry is not getting any younger, so the Titans must invest in protection for him and Ryan Tannehill.

Step in Peter Skoronski, the highest-rated OT prospect of his draft class. Skoronski could fix many of the Titans' issues at the offensive line, and he could be a stud for a while. Skoronski played all five spots in college; if that's not a ringing endorsement for a must-not-miss prospect, then we wonder what is.