2019 NFL Mock Draft: Final Pre-Combine first-round projection

2019 NFL Mock Draft: D.K. Metcalf, T.J. Hockenson rising pre-Combine

By Cory Kinnan | Feb 25, 2019

STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 23: D.K. Metcalf #14 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a pass as Lashard Durr #25 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs tries to defend during the second half of an NCAA football game at Davis Wade Stadium on November 23, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

19. Tennessee Titans: T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

With Delanie Walker well into his 30s and coming off of a serious injury, the Tennessee Titans need to seriously think about drafting his replacement. Here at the 19th pick in the first round, the Titans take maybe the most talked about prospect right now, T.J. Hockenson out of Iowa. Hockenson becomes the second tight end off of the board here, as he follows his teammate Fant as a first round selection.

Falling as the last pick in the first round to the Patriots in the first version of this mock draft, Hockenson jumps up a full 13 spots here and lands in Nashville with the Titans. Before it is all said and done, he could become a top-15 pick and possibly jump Fant as the first tight end off the board. However, this writer is less eager to name him as the No. 1 ranked tight end in the class.

This would be a huge pick for the Titans, who are entering a pivotal year with quarterback Marcus Mariota on the last season of his rookie deal and an aging defense. Tennessee has remained right on the brink for the past few years now, and is looking to take that next step. Giving Mariota another weapon may help the team reach that next level.

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