It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that the Tennessee Titans' dream scenario and nightmare scenario for the 2024 NFL Draft both heavily feature the name Joe Alt.

The Titans are a franchise in transition heading into this week's NFL draft. First-year coach. Young quarterback. A new generation of high-priced stars stepping in for departed legends like Derrick Henry. And seven draft picks that need to be used strategically to help this team contend in 2024.

So, with draft starting Thursday, let's take a quick look at what the best-case scenario and worst-case scenarios look like for the Titans.

Tennessee Titans NFL draft nightmare: Joe Alt gone, no trade partners, runs at the wrong positions

The Los Angeles Chargers take Alt at No. 5. Quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy all go in the top-six, limiting the number of teams desperate to move into the top-10. Anticipating a run on tackles in the first round, the Titans stick to picking their biggest need instead of drafting the best player available and opt for Penn State's Olu Fashanu or Alabama's J.C. Latham at No. 7.

That run never comes, but others sure do. Six edge rushers (Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, Laiatu Latu, Chop Robinson, Darius Robinson and Chris Braswell) go in the first round. So do 10 receivers (Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, Brian Thomas Jr., Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy, Ladd McConkey, Troy Franklin, Keon Coleman, Ricky Pearsall) all come off the board before the Titans pick again at No. 38, as does tight end Brock Bowers. Meanwhile, tackles like Amarius Mims, Tyler Guyton and Jordan Morgan all fall into the second round.

Now the Titans are left to reach again on their second premium pick, or draft a player at a lesser need like inside linebacker or defensive tackle where there should be options available on Day 3.

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Titans NFL draft dream: Trade back, still get your guy, land an extra Day 2 pick to find 3 starters

Bowers or a defensive player surprisingly goes in the top six. One of the big-four quarterbacks and one of the big-three receivers are both available at seven, creating competition to trade up into the Titans' spot. The Raiders get antsy and offer the Titans picks Nos. 13, 44 and 208, plus a future second-rounder, for picks Nos. 7 and 182.

The Titans accept, then the teams picking 8-12 mostly lean defense. Turner, Verse and cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Quinyon Mitchell come off the board, along with McCarthy at seven and Odunze somewhere in there. The Titans, somewhat miraculously, still get Alt.

This time, the run on tackles commences. Fashanu, Latham, Taliese Fuaga, Troy Fautanu, Mims, Guyton and Morgan all go in the first round, pushing receivers and defensive linemen into the second round. The Titans scoop up Darius Robinson at No. 38 and can pick between McConkey, Pearsall and Xavier Legette at No. 44.

Now the Titans have fixes for their two biggest weaknesses, a future star to develop at receiver and flexibility in the later rounds to grab linebackers, safeties, tight ends and whatever else the roster needs.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans best-case, worst-case scenarios in 2024 NFL Draft