Draft Analysis: NFL Draft Needs: Titans

Evan Silva (@EvanSilva) is the Senior Football Editor for Rotoworld’s NFL Page, and Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) leads Rotoworld’s college football and NFL draft coverage. Together, they’re breaking down every team’s biggest needs and offering potential draft-day solutions.

For a breakdown on every team, check out the team-by-team draft preview schedule.

No. 1 Team Need: Offensive Line

Silva’s Analysis

Ole Miss LT Laremy Tunsil is commonly mocked to the Titans at No. 1 overall because Tennessee needs to improve its pass protection. Last year’s Titans allowed a league-high 54 sacks. Drafting Tunsil would improve two positions up front by allowing Taylor Lewan to kick to right tackle, upgrading on Byron Bell. Tennessee may pursue guard help later in the draft after Jeremiah Poutasi was overmatched as a rookie.

No. 2 Team Need: Cornerback

Silva’s Analysis

Florida State CB Jalen Ramsey should also be in play at the No. 1 pick because he’s this year’s premier defensive back prospect, and the Titans need assistance in the secondary. The healthy return of LCB Jason McCourty (groin) will help, but RCB Perrish Cox is a league-average starter and free-agent pickup Brice McCain is a below-league-average slot corner. Tennessee is in okay-not-great shape at safety with ex-Cardinal Rashad Johnson joining Da’Norris Searcy back deep.

No. 3 Team Need: Edge Rusher

Silva’s Analysis

Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan are quality starters at outside linebacker in Dick LeBeau‘s 3-4, but Orakpo turns 30 this season and has a long history of injuries. Tennessee’s defensive performance collapsed after Morgan’s season-ending shoulder injury last year, surrendering 23.3 points per game in Morgan’s ten appearances compared to 31.6 points in Morgan’s six missed games. If Orakpo or Morgan goes down this year, the Titans need to be better prepared with pass-rush reinforcements.

Norris’ Mock Draft

Round 1 (1): DB Jalen Ramsey, FSU – I completely understand selecting Laremy Tunsil here. Adding a new, talented piece to an offensive line makes sense, as offensive lines around the league continue to struggle year after year. However, if the interior of the offensive line is shored up, that would make a world of difference. Taylor Lewan’s part in the equation is often overlooked. Moving from left tackle to right tackle is much easier said than done. Now for Ramsey, let’s run down the checklist. Quality cornerback, check. Long and aggressive, check. Freak athlete, check. Truly versatile, check. He can be a true difference maker.

Round 2 (33): T Germain Ifedi, Texas A&M – The NFL and other evaluators will like Ifedi more than I do. His game versus Arkansas in 2014 really stands out as a negative whenever I see others mock him as a potential first round pick. Ifedi and Jason Spriggs are both possibilities here.

Round 3 (64): EDGE Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State – A straight line edge rusher who is solid, yet unspectacular in a number of areas. I know he finished the season injured, but if healthy watch out for Deiontrez Mount.

Round 4 (113): DL Dean Lowry, Northwestern – A personal favorite in this class. Lowry is an outstanding athlete and offers upside and a winning skillset outside the tackle and outside the guard.

Round 5 (140): G Darrell Greene, San Diego State – Greene missed a good portion of the season, but returned as the team’s starting right guard and paved the way in the running game each week he was active. Greene is a squatty, grounded blocker who displays strength along with positioning.

Round 6 (177): TE Stephen Anderson, Cal – Another favorite in this class. However, everyone else seems to be down on the move/joker receiving tight end, as I see third day projections. Marcus Mariota’s favorite target last year was Delanie Walker, and Anderson might fill that role down the road.

Round 6 (193): LB B.J. Goodson, Clemson – Goodson plays like a somewhat limited prospect at the position, but he shines with aggression and timing. He is a sure tackler.

Round 7 (222): S DeAndre Houston-Carson, William & Mary – Another defensive back who loves to get involved in plays. Seriously, turn on any W&M game and you’ll see Houston-Carson involved in almost every tackle.

Titans Current Offensive Depth Chart

QB: Marcus Mariota

RB: DeMarco Murray

WR: Dorial Green-Beckham

WR: Kendall Hunter

WR: Rishard Matthews

TE: Delanie Walker

LT: Taylor Lewan

LG: Jeremiah Poutasi

C: Ben Jones

RG: Chance Warmack

RT: Byron Bell