The Titans had kind of a lot of picks in this draft, in the fourth round they were set to make their sixth pick. With that pick the Titans re-addressed a pretty serious team need I would say by selecting a talented but raw tight end prospect in University of Maryland's Chigoziem Okonkwo.
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 242 Pounds
College Career Stats 2018-2021
- 30 Games Played
- 77 Receptions
- 717 Receiving Yards
- 10 Total Touchdowns - 8 Receiving, 2 Rushing
- 1x Honorable Mention All-Big Ten
I mentioned in some relatively recent past post that the Titans needed a tight end this off-season, and so far unless I missed something, the Titans added three decent tight ends into the mix. Austin Hooper, a European prospect by the name of Thomas Odukoya who I plan on writing about eventually, and now Mr. Chigoziem Okonkwo. Sometimes, I'd say that it's not terrible to be thin at tight end, but it's certainly not good. The Titans were well below average all last season and it started to become annoying to watch.
Come to think of it, many of the best teams in the NFL have high level or above average production out of their tight ends. Not all, but a nice chunk of teams do. The Chiefs have Travis Kelce, 49ers have George Kittle. The Bengals, Ravens, Raiders and Bucs all have decent tight end playmakers. The Titans are right with many of those teams in terms of talent but still, it's interesting.
Chigoziem Okonkwo looks eerily similar to former quality Titans tight end Jonnu Smith! Smith signed with the Patriots last year and man, it was tough to see him go. Losing him was for sure noticed.
Watching some videos of Chigoziem I get real flashbacks to when the Titans drafted Jonnu Smith in 2017 and Jonnu's highlights were shown. Both of these guys are versatile, athletic, and raw.
Chigoziem's College Highlights
Chigoziem Okonkwo is a super muscular player with several freakish traits. He is very explosive and strong. Nimble on his feet. He's not spectacular at one thing but he is not god awful at anything either. He's got a mixed bag in terms of his skillset. It seriously feels like Chigoziem can be molded into something special with some time and coaching.
This Titans coaching staff has already proven to be high level and the Titans have a decent veteran presence at TE after acquiring Austin Hooper and retaining Geoff Swaim. Plus the European prospect! So Chigoziem shouldn't exactly be thrown into the fire instantly.
Honestly though, Chigoziem Okonkwo's film looks really solid. He just has limited production in his college career overall and isn't really from a well known household college name in Maryland.
I get the feeling it might not take long for Mr. Okonkwo to impress coaches and he ends up getting a lot of play time sooner rather than later. He has all the size and just seems to be a bulldozer out there.
The Titans might have themselves a Derrick Henry for a TE. Chigoziem Okonkwo has special talent for sure.
Austin Hooper, Chigoziem Okonkwo, and Geoff Swaim feels like a much more improved and interesting TE room than last year's. Plus this European newcomer Thomas Odukoya. I'm looking forward to see how it all shakes out. I'm really glad to see the Titans are attacking this team weakness.
I'm thinking the Titans may have found themselves a serious diamond in the rough with Okonkwo. With A.J. gone, the Titans will need as much help they can get.
