Titans use pick No. 100 on Elijah Molden to bolster secondary

The Tennessee Titans selected cornerback Elijah Molden out of Washington in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, 100th overall.

The Washington product is a physical defensive back capable of playing in the slot. His breakout season came in 2019 when he recorded 79 tackles and four interceptions.

Molden is the second defensive back drafted by the Titans after they took cornerback Caleb Farley in the first round.

The Titans' secondary struggled in 2020, ranking 29th against the pass.

Draft profile

Key stats: 26 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defended

Slot cornerback is a starting position in today's game, so Molden will likely be coveted by NFL franchises. Though he doesn't possess the ideal traits to play on the perimeter, he's quick to process, as evidenced by his excellent ball production, movement through traffic, and effectiveness as a blitzer. We wish the former Husky displayed more long speed and explosive athleticism, but they're not vital traits for slot defenders. While his overall upside may be limited, Molden should carve out a significant role early in his career.