1st - OL and WR need to be addressed this draft......and they need to be addressed early on. We do have Daddy Callahan as the OL coach and Ridley/DHop as WR's......so, we likely have some flexibility.
2nd - Most coaches and analysts say that there isn't as much of a premium for LT over RT anymore. Certainly this is the way it used to be, but most defenses place a premium on rushing from both sides. So, the Alt isn't a must have.
3rd - Callahan has said that getting another threat at the skill positions is as good as getting another OL. He has said this numerous times.
4th - Blue chip players - By almost all accounts, this is a very deep draft....and it's especially deep at the need positions for the Titans. In most drafts there are about 3-5 blue chip prospects, but this yr there is 15-16 depending on who you talk to. Couple this with QB needy teams and it means that the Titans could move down and still get a fantastic talent.
5th - TE - Certainly we don't have a Bowers caliber TE on the roster, but Chig is no slouch. If he's not asked to stay back and help block on the OL, he could easily get 70 catches/700-800 yds....which is top 10 TE category most years. At 24 yrs old he achieved 54 catches for 528 yds and a catch percentage of 71%.....all while being used a large portion of the time staying back and helping the OL.
So, here's what I would do:
-Does Daddy Callahan think that he can do well with someone other than Alt? And how much of a difference does he think there is from Alt to the next guy?
-My thought is to hopefully get Alt at #7 and a WR at #38.
-Trade back -However, if the Titans can trade back just a few picks and still get someone from Alt/Nabors/Odunze, then I would very much entertain this.....especially because we don't have a 3rd rd pick. In fact, this would likely be the dream scenario if Daddy Callahan is confident to fix the line with other guys.
-Bowers - I think he's a great talent, but there are some yellow flags. First, TE's in the draft don't usually hit at a high percentage.......and usually not fairly soon. If you select Bowers and he puts up Kelce/Kittle numbers......>1000 yds and 60-80 rec.....then great, but the odds are that he won't do that. If you're likely, he'll put up top 10 TE numbers......well, you're already close to that with Chig. There is the thought that you can move Bowers and flex him out. There might be some great benefit to that, but it's also possible that it won't go well. He's not as quick as your average WR and will likely have to make a lot of contested catches against NFL DB's. This DOES NOT mean that I wouldn't take him........I just wouldn't take him over guys like Alt/Nabors/Odunze. If we trade back, he'll certainly be in play.
What I think the Titans are thinking: (and I have no basis of information except for what I read/hear)
-I think they want to stay at #7 and get Alt or Nabors......and honestly, I think that Callahan favors Nabors.
-I also think that they are more comfortable trading down a few spots (and still get Alt/Nabors/Odunze/or the 2nd OT) than most of us fans are.
-I also think that they are more comfortable going defense in rd 2 than most of us are.