Team Draft Report: Tennessee Titans

Will Ronnie Stanlye (left) or Laremy Tunsil (right) be selected to protest Tennessee's franchise signal caller?

Will Note Dame’s Ronnie Stanley (left) or Ole MIss’ Laremy Tunsil (right) be selected to protect Tennessee’s franchise signal caller?

The Titans finished tied with the worst record in the league for the second season in a row. On a positive note, they were able to draw the first overall selection this time around. The Titans enter this draft with a new head coach (Mike Mularkey) and GM (Jon Robinson), and although they have many holes to fill on their roster, they can at least feel good about their young signal-caller Marcus Mariota.

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2015 Draft Picks

• Round 1, Pick 2 – Marcus Mariota (QB – Oregon)
• Round 2, Pick 40 – Dorial Green-Beckham (WR – Oklahoma)
• Round 3, Pick 66 – Jeremiah Poutasi (OL – Utah)
• Round 4, Pick 100 – Angelo Blackson (DL – Auburn)
• Round 4, Pick 108 – Jalston Fowler (FB – Alabama)
• Round 5, Pick 138 – David Cobb (RB – Minnesota)
• Round 6, Pick 177 – Deiontrez Mount (LB – Louisville)
• Round 6, Pick 208 – Andy Gallak (OL – Boston College)
• Round 7, Pick 245 – Tre McBride (WR – Williams & Mary)

The Titans’ 2015 draft was obviously geared toward improving the offensive side of the ball with seven of their nine picks being offensive players. Mariota displayed the ability to be the franchise QB he was expected to be, but injuries derailed part of his rookie season, along with a dismal supporting cast.

The future still looks bright for Mariota, especially if he can rely on Dorial Green-Beckham to develop into high caliber wideout. DGB had a rocky rookie season that showed glimpses of the talent he possesses, but also the inconsistencies that led to him falling out of the first round.

Third-rounder Jeremiah Poutasi was benched after failing to pass protect at RT. Angelo Blackson and Jalston Fowler each showed promise at times during the season but were unable to make a meaningful impact. Cobb and Mount were both injured for a majority of the season, so the jury is still out on them.

Andy Gallak was very inconsistent after he came off the bench to start for the injured Brian Schwenke. McBride came with a lot of buzz in camp, only to flame out during the season.

2016 Draft Picks

Round 1, Pick 1
Round 2, Pick 33
Round 3, Pick 64
Round 4, Pick 114
Round 5, Pick 140
Round 6, Picks 180 and 196
Round 7, Pick 220

Top Draft Needs

Offensive Line
Despite spending high picks on this unit, the Titans still have big needs here. Mariota was sacked far too often last season, leading to his inability to finish the season healthy.

There have been many examples of young QBs becoming gun-shy after taking a beating early in their careers for the Titans to ignore this problem. Even if they decide to pass on Laremy Tunsil at No. 1, the OT position will need to be addressed at some point early during the draft.

Potential Fits
• Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss)
• Ronnie Stanley (Notre Dame)
• Jack Conklin (Michigan State)
• Taylor Decker (Ohio State)

Defensive Back
Statistically, the Titans’ pass defense didn’t put up bad numbers, but that was mostly due to the opposition running out the clock in the fourth quarter. The back end of the defense was very leaky at the most inopportune moments last season, and they simply lacked a difference maker at either safety or cornerback. The team had addressed the issue somewhat through free agency, but they will need to add a young talent to develop.

Potential Fits
• Jalen Ramsey (Florida State)
• Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida)
• Eli Apple (Ohio State)
• William Jackson III (Houston)

Wide Reciever
The Titans have historically struggled to find a consistent No. 1 threat on the outside. Delaine Walker provided some big plays from the TE position, but he’ll need help to draw coverage away since he’s become known as the go-to-guy for the Titans. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any WRs worthy of the No. 1 overall selection, but there should be some solid options in the mid to late rounds.

Potential Fits
• Josh Doctson (TCU)
• Braxton Miller (Ohio State)
• Tyler Boyd (Pittsburgh)
• Sterling Shepard (Oklahoma)

Late-Round Flier
Safety Kevin Byard from Middle Tennessee State lacks the ideal size and speed to be seriously considered among the elite at his position, but Byard is one of those players who seem to just have a knack for making big plays. The four-time all-conference player had 15 career interceptions and returned four of those for touchdowns. Byard may still be around in the fifth to sixth round range, and if he is, he could be a great, local prospect for a Titans’ squad desperately in need of a playmaker at DB.