 I'm a year ago, we were kind of huddled up in a small conference room across the street. It's been awesome to be in here in our new draft room, having meetings, talking through things, and prospects as we prepare for next week. I'd like to thank a lot of people that have really helped in the team building process. This spring, Coach Ray will, obviously, discussions we've had back and forth about prospects and fits for our football team. Todd Torcelli, our trainers, all the assistant coaches, Chick and Mitch, the personnel department, Ryan Calden, Monty Austin Ford, John Salgi, as we prepare for the draft, and then going back to free agency, Brian Gardner, and the pro department, certainly Ben Moreno with the contract negotiation. So with that, excited about next week and another step and another part of the process as we try to put the 2022 Tennessee Titans team together for questions. I mean, how much movement is there still to do? What's the last week likely enough to the draft? Just going back through, we watched through a couple guys last night as a group. You start the comparisons. This player versus that player, it may be vertically in a position stack. It may be horizontally in a one position versus another position. I mean, you're trying to predict guys that are going to go ahead of where you're picking. Sometimes that's a bit of a crapshoot. But just still some dialogue as we try to fine tune here, heading into next week. John, I just talked to AJ about the supermortem. Where do you stay? Yeah, we've had some discussions with his reps. When he was here a couple of weeks ago, I talked to him. And you're working through that, not going to get into any details with contract negotiations. Never have really done that. But we've made it public about how we feel about AJ and how we wanted to be a part of this football team. What are your thoughts on how the receiver market has exploded so much when you look at these recent contracts? Yeah, I don't know what the trends are with that, T. But it's interesting to look at and where that has shifted. Every year, it seems like certain positions, there's ebbs and flows with where those markets goes. A couple of years ago, the safety market was down. That's when I think we got Kenny Vaccaro. He was out there for a while. We were fortunate enough that he was there in August. So just kind of year to year how those market trends are. I think we're trying to get the best football player that's available for our football team. You're going to need every position at some point. I mean, we saw that last year with 91 different guys that lined up for us. So you're going to need good football players at a lot of different positions over the course of a season. So just try to put ourself in the best position to take the best player that we think helps our football team. John, you had a situation, I guess, AJ is talking with Devo Samuel on an Instagram video, talking about the terms of the negotiations. You got him repressing it, right? Does any of this make you feel more urgency when it comes to the AJ situation? Yeah, I mean, I've talked about where we're at. I've talked to AJ's reps. AJ knows how we feel about him, how much he means to this football team. And I haven't seen any Instagram videos or Snapchats or Vimeos or any of that kind of stuff. When you've got the same agent representing three of the former receivers who are in this situation, does that complicate things in terms of who is the first and then all wanting most money? Yeah, I don't really have any control over who reps who. That's up to the individual player and who they select and who they feel most comfortable with handling their situation. Does it complicate things? I don't know. Our focus right now is with our football team. Is there any chance that AJ could be treated between now and then? I think I've spoke on that several times now. So do not foresee that happening. Have you cut down to any more talent if you like in terms of that line and prospects you seem to see a lot of the work you've been out? Tracking the plane, John. Specifically with the O-line down here? Yeah, there was O-line minute, certainly at stops that I saw. And there were players at other positions at some of those stops that I went to. That's one of the things that Mike and I were excited about was being able to get back out this spring, be around these prospects on their pro days, watch them work on the field, spend some time with them after their pro days, visiting with them, getting to know them. Maybe you get a little bit more time at the school than you do certainly in that Combine interview where it's 15 or 18 minutes, whatever that is. So you get a little bit more normalcy. The players in his environment, he's in a meeting room that he's used to on his campus, get a better feel for the real guy as opposed to maybe what the rat race of the Combine is as those guys are being shuffled from one room to the next room to the next room and it's a bit of a whirlwind for them. Pick up on there. Can you talk through Zion, Johnson, and Kenyans beneath this prospect? Yeah, both of those guys, I mean, the big, strong players. Both guys have played a couple different positions. Really, Zion has played three positions. Kenyans played both guard and tackle. They're strong, they're good movers. Both of those guys were good when we met with those guys and they're good prospects. Mike, can you chime in there especially on Zion with the water from that room? No, I don't think I have anything to add on Zion. I mean, obviously, he played next to Tyler and he's an excellent player, an excellent person. Really, really good person. I'm sorry? Did he live with yourself? Yeah, he lived with Tyler, yeah. They probably didn't say much. Tyler doesn't say a whole lot and Zion doesn't say a whole lot. In terms of positions of need for your roster, just in terms of shooting up, receiver, tie-in, up into the line, it's a lot of positions, Terry, we need a lot. But how does this draft stack up depth-wise in some of those spots? Yeah, I think as we've gone through the process, there's been some position groups that have shown a little more volume maybe than other positions, but we feel like that the positions that can help our football team, again, as I stated earlier, you're never gonna know what position you're gonna need throughout the course of an NFL season. And there's players that really at every position that we feel good about. Now, whether they're there when you're able to pick, that's another thing. If I had that crystal ball, the draft would be a lot easier. But no, I think that where our football team is currently and what's available is a good thing. And not having a second round. Potentially, there's creative ways that you can strategize and try to gain draft capital. Whether it's sliding back from where we're at, whether it's involving future picks in next year or the following year, there's ways to kind of put things together to try to put yourself in position to get the player you want. It's a much interesting effect. Yeah, I think it's probably where we're at, John, in the draft where we're picking, that's a little bit more as you get closer to your pick. It was a different situation back when we had the first pick. I mean, you're trying to strategize to get what you can get from that. Obviously, both of you guys are hardcore football guys. Mike, is there anything that you look forward to players as a head coach that maybe, or something that gets you excited or something that's a red flag that's different compared to maybe a personnel guy with the coaching background? Matt, I think we want to have guys that we trust. I think that's important. We want to evaluate the trust and the ability and hopefully find those where they match up with high level of trust and high level of ability. You try to, I think, where we're at now is trying to get to, is this somebody that you want to see every day and coach every day and have in your meetings? And that's what we try to ask the position coaches, obviously, try to hide a vision for them and a role in what they're going to do and what they eventually may do for us. I think, for me, there is a lot of maybe just traits, character traits, that I'm looking for. And then we'll go and watch the tape. And I trust everybody's opinion, but I really want to bring great people onto this team. John talked about how nice it was to get back out on the road this spring. How much did it help you to familiarize with some of these guys and maybe learn a little bit more of what you were just talking about? It's very unfair, the picture that sometimes gets painted from the combine. And I'm probably at fault more than anybody. The 18 minutes, and these kids are just coming in from the airport and they're dropping their bags off and they're getting rushed over to some suite in the dome. And we've had numerous instances where maybe didn't feel great after that short exposure and then followed up with them either here or on their campus and then really come out of it with a different opinion. So that is a critical element. And some of these players, they try to think that we want something other than who they really are. Because I think that's the best thing. It's just for us to try to identify who they really are, what they're going to be in September and October and November, and not maybe what they think we want them to be in April. When you look at these receivers, big guys, they're small, how do you weigh that? I mean, you look at your group of receivers now. A lot of them are primarily big guys. How do you weigh, how do you buy them? I think you look at opportunities and production, how they catch the ball, how they protect the ball, their willingness to block. Some schools don't ask them to go in there and block. Some of them are running routes, are running RPOs or relief routes and trying to pull out defenders that way. What routes have they asked them to run? Some guys, it's like, well, he doesn't run it. They probably only have 12 or 14 plays and they're not running that much of a route tree. How much can he understand and explain about coverage? I think those are all ways that we identify how they play without the ball, how they play with the ball. Are they tough to tackle? Is this a, so players got really good play strength? Can they play inside? Can they return punt? So there's a lot of things that we look at. What do you guys see in this, Ty Vanier? Yeah, I mean, I think there's a, it's a pretty good mix. You've got some guys that are dual players. They can play kind of on the line of scrimmage as well as have the athleticism to detach and play away from the line of scrimmage. There's some guys that can make those move blocks, some of the things that we asked to do, maybe from the backfield. And then you've got guys who really, they're more detached players. They play predominantly in the slot or on a wing position in their pass catchers. But even those guys, the guys that we've watched, there's at least a competitiveness as blockers to at least try to get their nose dirty a little bit in the run game. You guys talked in the past about the lack of blocking to try that in college. Can you still define guys there that can do what you need? Yeah, I think we've identified a few guys that we would, you know, maybe consider in that category. And then also, you know, some of those guys, their skill set can't be overlooked because they are match-up issues against guys that we try to face and we try to decide who's gonna cover them on third down. So there's some guys that we've identified, I think at different levels of the draft. And we're still going through that process now. John, would you say the strengths of this draft class and maybe whether it's the most depth? Yeah, I mean, I think you can look at every position, Jim, I think it's, you know, the offensive line's pretty deep. There's some pretty, there's some good edge rushers. There's some good receivers. There's a group of backs that are pretty good. There's, you know, some quarterbacks that, you know, look kind of promising. I think there's positions, employers at every position that have really good depth, you know, across the board. You know, some we've obviously got rated higher than others, just like, you know, every, you know, 31 other teams. But, you know, I think we've been able to identify guys that are about every position. You can open as strong as this. Yeah, I think it's according to what quarterback class you're comparing it to. And I think if you compare it to certain ones, it certainly is not as strong. But there's other classes where I'd say it's at least comparable and maybe even a 10's better. You know, it's been good to spend a little bit of time with some of those guys, get to know those guys. You know, that's a hard position. Quarterback position is a hard position to play in a national football league. There's a lot that goes into that position. You know, I think all the guys that are in this draft that we've talked to, you know, certainly seen capable and willing to learn and put the time in to make that transition. You know, that conversation with the quarterbacks, I would imagine that's different. How is that conversation different for you guys that you're talking to them? Yeah, I mean, I think you're trying to identify leadership. You know, how's that guy gonna lead a football team? You know, what's his level of confidence? He's certainly probably gonna be more well-versed in his specific offense, terminology-wise. And you can't expect them to just be able to spit back like whatever we call a certain player, certain defense, but can they associate, you know, the concept that we're trying to talk about? But it's really the leadership and the willingness to learn the coachability and how are they gonna step into a situation and with guys much older than them that they might line up with and be able to lead those guys and push those guys to score points. For both of you guys, in terms of Dylan Rayden. Terry, one. Does he project more as a left guard or as a right tackle? Say that, ask that question again, Terry. Yeah, in terms of Dylan Rayden, do you guys think he's more of a left guard or a right tackle, and how does that affect where you might feel the other spot in the ground? I think with the offensive line, we're trying to get the best five guys up there that can block their guy. You know, I think Dylan has shown he can play tackle. I think he's worked at guard. He's played guard. I think there's some versatility with him as a football player, but at the end of the day with the offensive line is trying to get the right five guys up there that can block their guy on a consistent basis. Yeah, I mean, but I think that the versatility is something that we preach, especially with the offensive line. Guys that can play a couple of different spots. If he's at this position and your next guy, maybe he's best as Dylan's backup, let's just say, for example, and he's better than the next guy that's gonna go in at the other position that you may need if somebody goes down, again, you're trying to get your best five guys out there. When you have a draft and there's a specific position or two you're looking at, how do you balance making sure the value aligns with the pick, but at the same time, not letting too much time pass to where you lose a quality enough player at that position that you play? Yeah, I think when we talk about all the time it's need versus best player and when those things line up, it's a really cool thing. But at the end of the day, you're trying to identify who helps the team the most. There's short term and there's long term. Sometimes it takes players a little longer to maybe blossom into being productive players for us. I think we've got some guys on our team that are examples of that. And it's being able to balance the immediacy. Again, we want them all to come in and contribute right away. That would be in a perfect world. But you're looking at trying to balance what is the long term, what's the long game with that player as well? John, how would you think about not having a second round in a competition, if you took a quarterback and saved your first round? Yeah, I mean, I think those are hypotheticals and those are scenarios that we talk about. It's like, if this, then what's the overall plan and how is that going to impact the football team? We work through those scenarios. At the end of the day, we try to do what's best for the football team. And to Luke's question, you're looking certainly at the short term in the window, but you're also looking at the long game as well when you're adding players to your team. Michael, you've got it, Charlie. Well, I think when you look at positionally, in this case, offensive line, whether it's a 6-4 safety or a 6-4 corner or a 6-7 400 pound offensive line, and those are, you know, we just haven't seen a whole lot of those players that have been in this league. So, you know, there's questions that you have to ask. Where are you going to play them? You know, what skills are they going to need to be required in those offensive line? You know, we certainly have a scheme that we're comfortable with, that we have really tried to embed and make our own. And so for us, there's going to be an element of movement and speed off the football in different angles. You know, whether that's on the front side or the back side, you know, being able to climb up and get second level defenders, you know, or be able to get some horizontal stretch at the line of scrimmage. So, you know, those are things that we look at talking about offensive linemen in the run game. You both have got to be better around what sort of the status update on that, what you've added already this offseason and how to be further than this run? Yeah, I mean, we're excited to work with Robert and with Austin, you know, and seeing what those guys can bring. They've been productive players in this league. You know, we'll continue to work and build. Again, we don't play until September. So, you know, it's a long process with putting the team together so that it's ready for opening week. You know, but certainly next week is a big component of that with the draft, being able to infuse, you know, younger players into your football team, guys that you can kind of, you know, build on, you know, add to the foundation. But again, like I said earlier, we're trying to get as many good football players really at every position that we can as possible. John, what are some of the results? Out the results, you guys have gone from the last two drafts. Maybe, you know, kind of more slow developing or kind of near to impact. How has all that maybe impacted the draft evaluation process? Has anything changed based on the way the last two collapses? No, I mean, I think there's different circumstances, you know, with every draft class. You know, I think that we have, we've seen returns on some of those players. You would obviously like to, you know, see more from, you'd like for all of them to come in and be impact players, you know, the reality for 32 teams in the National Football League is that's not high that that happens. So you're just trying to hit on as many, you know, those players as possible that they come in, they buy into, you know, the team concept that we can develop that trust, you know, like Vraves talked about, improve their skill sets. It's a different game, you know, the pro game is a different game from the college game. And trying to identify the right types of guys who can help our football team. Certainly, have you heard yourself with the Taylor Hill field and having the eyes to count the first week? Well, I think that when you look at cap, it's, you have to be so much strategic with how you attack it, Paul. You know, it went up this year, you know, we took that dip a year ago. You're trying to maximize the dollars that you're spending, whether it helps or hurt us. I mean, certainly you'd like everybody to have as low a cap number as possible. But when you're trying to fit everything in, sometimes you have to make decisions that you think are best for the team. You know, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. But we're glad Ryan's here, decided, you know, to work with him. And we'll deal with, you know, where there's, I feel pretty confident with Ben and his ability to work the pencil on the cap numbers. John, obviously you're looking at some of those offensive guys in the draft right now. Defensively, anything you'd be looking for to add in maybe some of those later rounds. And then can you give an update on Taylor Barley to have these coming along? Yeah, he's, to answer your first question, I mean, guys that can impact defenses, guys that can stop offenses from scoring points, whether that's upfront on the line of scrimmage, whether that's covering guys, guys that make tackles. I mean, you know, we've been able to find defensive help really at all levels of the draft. You know, whether it was Hooker on a Saturday pick, David Long on a Saturday pick, Jeffrey Simmons in the first round. I mean, we've been able to find guys that can come in here and play stylistically the way that Mike and his staff want to. And Caleb's working hard, you know, it's, he's gotten, he's gained some size. He's continuing to learn and work and how to be a pro and make that transition to try to help our football team. He knows how important it is to us that he puts in the time and he's dedicated. And, you know, he's certainly on the right track, it looks like. I had a good first week, I'll tell you that. He's, you know, I mean, just to touch on that at a really good first week, light years of head of where he ended. So not only just rehab, but just from a mental perspective and just being in those meetings and, you know, having him answer questions and I'm not gonna say who he beat, but he won the quiz competition today. So I'm not gonna tell the other guys that he beat, but he did a nice job. It's the same every year, you know. I'm gonna say that every head coach in the National Football League would like to have every single player there just because that's what we like to do. We like coaching players and enjoy doing that. Also very respectful of what they've done, where they're doing it, and hopefully, as we work our way, you know, into these different phases that we'll get, you know, as many guys that want to come back that want to be here. More of Mike or Ryan Daniel will be here, does he miss anything at Real Valley? I've had communications with Ryan. Again, as the head coach, I want every single player here. I would love to see that happen. Had communications with Ryan and I'm comfortable where those are at and, you know, expect him back here pretty short or shortly. Mike, how much of advisory role have you played in Tyler's going through the Grand Park? Oh, I am, I'm just excited for Tyler and his, you know, next opportunity. That's really what I'm trying to do. It's taken me a lot of years to be more dad than coach and I'm trying to do a much better job at that and I feel like I have. So, I'm excited for him to see where his next opportunity will be and try to support him any way I can. Is there a chance to reach that allows? No, John and I haven't even said it, but I think that there's 31 teams that are evaluating Tyler. I don't think that's good for anybody, Corey. What do you think of the long-term investment? Yeah, I mean, I think you have that conversation with the player. We've done that before. We've taken a player at a position that, you know, we had and was a veteran player and at the end of the day, I had a conversation with, you know, the player that was on the team. He understood, like, that's what it is. Again, we tell the players, like we're trying to create as much competition as possible at every position and trying to put the team in the best position to go in football games. But it's just transparency and conversation, up-frontness, you know, with the player, you know, as we have done in the past at other positions. Do you think I would be okay with that? I haven't had that conversation with it. I don't know who we're gonna pick yet, Jared, so. So, did the top tackles, I was married over to maybe, you know, if they're playing for that, it's gonna start right here, and who do I have to tell you about it? You just gotta go out there and see what you look at. Yeah, I mean, I think we've done that before. I mean, Jack Conklin was a left tackle and we drafted him and we moved him over to right tackle. And yeah, I think that there's guys in this draft who, you know, play one side, but we feel like that they're capable of playing another side, or maybe playing both sides. Essentially, not a coping draft. Your last not coping draft was 2019, which was probably your best draft was 2019. Is there a sense? Thanks, Jared. Is there a sense that going back to a normal structure will go back to the results of this not coping draft? If you're telling me that, absolutely, it's going to. I mean, you don't know. Like, you don't know who the players are gonna be there. You try to strategize and get yourself in position to get the guys that you want. You know, all those guys in that class have played, you know, a really good football force. I mean, if you can tell me right now that we're gonna have another one like that, you're, sign me up for it. I would imagine, same as the B-Vap on a second contract, but if you look at, you know, the last five first round picks, there's a good amount of guys that haven't come back for a second contract. Is there a frustration level, just as far as like the return that you got on your first round picks over the last four to five? No, I think that there's different situations for every player. Like, when you're working through that and you're making those decisions, you know, Mike and I have those conversations about, you know, what's the impact of that player being here or not being here? You know, what's the comp pick value that you're gonna get back? If you lose the player, you know, it was forever before we had a comp pick, you know, and you have to look at the return that you're gonna get draft capital-wise with the compensatory pick formula versus, you know, can I get another player to do a similar job, get a pick, and save some money in the process, if all of that makes sense. It's a pretty in-depth thought process and dialogue that Mike and I have when we make those decisions. Is there something about the 2019 class that was special or was it love? You're on fire for 19. I love it. Keep going. Is there something that we did this and are trying to find that in this class? Took the right guys. Like, we took the right guys. The process is pretty similar with how, or I would say it's very similar with how we did it. We took the right guys. That's good? Guys, have a great weekend.