Tennessee Titans Mock Draft: Updated Day 2 Predictions
The Tennessee Titans did what was predicted and drafted Marcus Mariota, rejecting whatever trade offers were put in front of them.
Obviously they like Mariota as a prospect and believe he'll be the face of their franchise for years to come.
But how about the rest of the team? Now that Mariota's on board, the Titans need to look to the rest of the draft with an eye on making the Titans the kind of team Mariota can succeed with.
What kind of changes the Titans will institute with Mariota at the helm is hard to say, but you can expect them to have a firm plan in mind now that they have their quarterback.
Given their remaining needs, here is an updated mock draft for the remainder of the Titans' picks.
Round 2
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33. Jake Fisher, Offensive Tackle, Oregon
It's easy to take the Oregon offensive lineman here for storyline alone, but it also makes a lot of sense.
Fisher is one of the best players available in a position the Titans definitely want to improve immediately, and he played at the same school as their new quarterback did.
Ensuring the success of a young quarterback is important, which is why teams traditionally take either a weapon or a blocker in the second round. Selecting Fisher would fall into line with what most teams would do in their position.
What better way to ensure Mariota's comfortable transition than to bring along a teammate to keep pressure off of him?
Furthermore, Fisher had a great combine. He checked in at 6'6", 306 lbs, with big hands and long arms to boot. He then proceeded to impress in the 40-yard dash (5.01 seconds), vertical jump (32.5"), three-cone drill (7.25 seconds), and the 20-yard shuttle (4.33 seconds).
There are a lot of good players at positions of need, and the Titans have all day to find a trade partner if they want, but if they stay put, Fisher makes an awful lot of sense.
Round 3
2 of 5
66. Ronald Darby, Cornerback, Florida State
The Titans could use some help in their defensive backfield. Despite having several young corners on the squad, they don't look particularly strong at the position, and that's a position that they need if they're going to stand up to Andrew Luck.
Darby was one of the two very good corners on the Seminoles defense in 2013 and 2014. In his last year, Darby broke up only four passes, but he's a natural man cover corner, so he wins without getting thrown to.
Darby checked all the boxes on size at the combine (5'11", 193 lbs), and had a great performance in the 40-yard dash (4.38 seconds) and vertical jump (41.5"), so there's reason to believe he can be a good corner.
Luckily, he won't have to start immediately, as Jason McCourty and Perrish Cox are the probable starters in Week 1.
Round 4
3 of 5
100. Markus Golden, Outside Linebacker, Missouri
One pass-rushing Missouri linebacker doesn't fall to them, so they grab the other one instead.
Golden was every bit as productive as teammate Shane Ray in the numbers department, racking up 10 sacks, 12 hurries, 20 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles in 2014.
However, Golden doesn't have the widest range of pass-rushing moves, so he'll need some development at the next level. The Titans would have a chance to coach him up, as Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo would be the starters in all likelihood.
Golden also was limited at the combine, but at his pro day, he reportedly ran a 4.67-second 40-yard dash (per Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com).
The Titans are still thin at the position, despite the addition of Orakpo, so getting some insurance and relief play from Golden is a big boon to the defense.
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Round 5
4 of 5
138: Jeremy Langford, Running Back, Michigan State
The Titans had first crack at the running back class of 2014, but second-rounder Bishop Sankey was pretty disappointing in his rookie outing, so the Titans might looks to provide some backup.
Langford is bigger than Sankey, at 6'0" and 208 lbs, and he showed good speed at the combine with a 4.42-second 40-yard dash, the best time of any running back this year.
In his last season with the Spartans, Langford rushed for 1,522 yards and 22 touchdowns, showing he can carry a heavy workload.
Of course, he'll be No. 2 on the depth chart in all likelihood, so he won't be expected to be a big contributor. With Mariota coming in and Langford added, running the ball ought to be a lot easier for the Titans.
Round 6
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178. Jake Ryan, Inside Linebacker, Michigan
The Titans lost Zach Brown to injury in the first game of the season, but fill-in rookie Avery Williamson played so well that he'll probably return as a starter, but Wesley Woodyard had problems with missed tackles, so the position could still use help.
Besides, the Titans were horrible at stopping the run at the second level, largely because of weakness at the position. With Wesley Woodyard a declining veteran and Zach Brown coming back from injury, taking a middle-round linebacker could be some good insurance.
Ryan had some injury issues he might still be recovering from, but since he has the size and some of the athleticism for an inside linebacker, he comes with a lot of risk. However, this late in the draft, he's worth it.
208. Antwan Goodley, Wide Receiver, Baylor
Even with Harry Douglas and Hakeem Nicks added, the Titans have needs at receiver. Justin Hunter has been disappointing, Douglas will be 31 early in the season and Nicks has been an injury nightmare.
Goodley is similar in build and feature to Kendall Wright, the Titans' most reliable receiver. At 5'10" and 209 lbs, Goodley is a little bulkier, but he has the same straight-line speed Wright had (4.44-second 40-yard dash).
Oregon's offense liked to run screens, and Goodley is perfect for those kinds of plays, so he's a depth piece that ought to fit what the Titans will do more on offense to accommodate Mariota as well.
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