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2022 NFL Draft: 3 Targets for the Titans at No. 26

By Kathryn Rose

Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; National Squad wide receiver Christian Watson of North Dakota State (1) runs with the ball in the first half against the American squad during the Senior bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2022; Mobile, AL, USA; National Squad wide receiver Christian Watson of North Dakota State (1) runs with the ball in the first half against the American squad during the Senior bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Desmond Ridder throwing a pass
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass in the first quarter the NCAA Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.Cotton Bowl Cincinnati Bearcats Alabama Crimson Tide Ac 386 /

Desmond Ridder – Quarterback – Cincinnati

Often overlooked in the Titans’ offense is the role the passing plays in its success. Defenses are going to stop Derrick Henry first, and if that happens, the Titans need to throw the ball to beat a team. Indeed, this is the defensive game plan for most teams playing Tennessee.

While Ryan Tannehill played his part well, his yards per attempt dropped to levels not seen since his Miami days. As he enters his mid-30s, the Titans need to look for a replacement.

Desmond Ridder, while not much heralded at first, is rising quickly up the boards in the 2022 NFL draft. As Ben Solak of The Ringer illustrates, Ridder improved a lot in 2021. His passing accuracy shot up in his last year with the Bearcats, and he has the ability to throw every route on the route tree.

It also helps that Ridder played with a Titans lookalike in college, at least philosophy-wise. Cincinnati is a defense-first team, with a grinding, play-action-based offense.

Next. Final first-round mock draft. dark

What makes Ridder an even better pick for the Titans is his athletic ability. He ran a 4.5 40-yard dash time, and rollouts – a staple of the Titans’ offense – with him would be devastating.

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