2012 NFL Draft: 6 Players the Tennessee Titans Must Target

The Tennessee Titans were a tiebreaker away from the playoffs in 2011, and their 9-7 record was more than many fans expected. Matt Hasselbeck clicked with his depleted receiving core, and the team looks to be headed in the right direction under head coach Mike Munchak. 

The Titans always draft well and bring in an underrated class. With a very close-knit front office yet again, this year should be no exception. 

However, the Titans are looking at some weaknesses in key positions across the board and will have to replace the likes of Michael Griffin and Cortland Finnegan if both parties choose not to re-sign.

Griffin and Finnegan are arguably the Titans' two best defensive players, but this team has a history of letting top players go while replacing them well. 

Tennessee's mystery front seven exceeded expectations in 2011, but they still have much room for improvement. Pass rush is going to be a top priority in Music City for this year's draft. 

The offensive line also needs a bit of a face-lift, with age and potential hampering the Titans' rushing attack (CJ2K doesn't deserve all of the blame). 

The Titans need a first-round pick in 2012 that can make a big contribution on the field in their rookie season.

With that said, who do the Titans need to start targeting with their 20th overall pick?

6) Mark Barron: Alabama

Safety Mark Barron would be a stellar addition to the Titans' secondary if they decide to part ways with safety Michael Griffin. He's a little bigger (6'2", 218 lbs), a little more polished coming out of college and has NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year potential. 

Barron is one of the best ball-hawking defenders the draft has seen in a few years, and is a complete defensive player. He helps to avoid big rushes, similar to that of Griffin. 

The senior is expected to come out mid-to-late first round, and the Titans' first pick sits at 20th overall. It will be hard for Tennessee to pass him up if he's still available. 

5) Devon Still: Penn State

Defensive tackle Devon Still is a 6'4", 310-pound beast and would wreak havoc on the Titans' front line. Some draft boards have him going as high as ninth overall, but some also have him falling to the Titans' 20th pick.  

Still has been widely considered a top player since high school, and did not disappoint at Penn State despite facing injury problems as a freshman and sophomore.

The Titans could use him to stuff up the run and be a long-term producer on their less-than-average front line. 

4) Nick Perry: USC

Nick Perry, a consensus first-round pick, has the quickness necessary to rush the quarterback in the NFL. He led the Pac-12 in sacks (9.5) last season at defensive end.

Perry is just what the Titans need—a speedy, violent pass-rusher who can also stay home and cover the run. Pass rush was a missing piece in Tennessee's 2011 season, as rookie Karl Klug led the team with seven sacks. 

Defensive end and former first-round pick Derrick Morgan has been nagged by a slew of injuries in his first two seasons with the Titans.

If he stays healthy, Perry and Morgan could be a lethal one-two punch.

If he doesn't, Perry gives them depth and a dangerous pass-rusher to replace Morgan. 

3) Mohamed Sanu: Rutgers

Mohamed Sanu had a stellar career at Rutgers, breaking the Big East record with 210 receptions in just three seasons before forgoing his senior year for the NFL draft. 

Sanu would join fellow Rutgers teammate Kenny Britt in Tennessee and be a reliable option for Matt Hasselbeck and quarterback-of-the-future Jake Locker.

The Titans have a couple of young receivers in Damien Williams and Lavelle Hawkins, but it's unclear whether either have the potential to replace aging WR Nate Washington. 

He would have the best size of any Titans WR other than Britt and would be a fan favorite (Sa-NUUUU!). Tennessee has a history of picking players that aren't quite at the top of the list, so it wouldn't be surprising if they passed up the likes of Michael Floyd to snatch Sanu. 

2) Peter Konz: Wisconsin

Center Peter Konz was a three-year starter on a very formidable Wisconsin offensive line, and is a great fit for the Titans.

Everyone knows Chris Johnson had a down year, but he didn't get much help from his offensive line.

A great upgrade on the interior offensive line could do wonders for this Titans team, and Konz will be very effective at creating running lanes for whatever running back is behind him. If you don't believe me, go look at Monte Ball's 2011 numbers. 

Current center Eugene Amano is a guard first and struggled at the position last year. A change is imminent.

1) Melvin Ingram: South Carolina

Melvin Ingram has been turning heads ever since his two-touchdown performance against Georgia in 2011. 

Ingram primarily played defensive end at South Carolina, but he is expected to make the transition to outside linebacker. He doesn't really fit either position quite well physically, but his intangibles and raw pass-rushing talent are enough to think he could make a splash in Nashville.

He notched 48 tackles and 10 sacks last season while adding two interceptions and the aforementioned two TDs. 

Ingram is the most realistic option for the Titans' first-round pick and has the best opportunity to help the team's biggest weakness immediately as a rookie.