Tennessee Titans: Defensive Line Has to Be the Focal Point in NFL Draft

There were huge strides made for the Tennessee Titans during the 2011 season, thanks in large part to key rookies stepping up and playing well beyond their years.

Matt Hasselbeck also showed how valuable he still is as a veteran quarterback.

With all of that said, the Titans have slowly declined into a very weak team on the defensive line. There's something wrong when your team leader in sacks only had seven, and that was rookie Karl Klug.

Defensive ends were even more dismal in the sack department, with Dave Ball leading the way with just four sacks.

The Titans used to be one of the most feared teams on the defensive line, but all that went out the door when Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jason Babin left in free agency.

After Derrick Morgan, the Titans are extremely weak at the position. Even Morgan has yet to flourish in two NFL seasons.

Jason Jones has had his moments, but he's never shown the consistency you would like to see from a starter on the defensive line.

Now it's time for the Titans to start grooming young talent at the position through the draft. There are more than a few interesting prospects at defensive end in the 2012 NFL draft class.

Whitney Mercilus out of Illinois is getting a ton of buzz at the position as he led the FBS in sacks with 16. He did that in a very good conference, which makes it all the more impressive.

Former Tar Heel Quinton Coples is highly considered one of the most talented defensive ends, but it's somewhat of a risk going after a guy that really just had one electrifying season.

Perhaps the best choice for the Titans to consider at this position is Melvin Ingram out of South Carolina. This guy has the motor of a guy like Vanden Bosch had.

You also can't deny the fact that he put up such solid numbers in by far the best defensive football conference in the country.

The Titans are in a lot better shape at other defensive positions. Even if Cortland Finnegan walks in free agency, the Titans still have two solid guys in Alterraun Verner and Jason McCourty.

Cornerback is a position the Titans can focus on in the later rounds.

The linebacker position is completely set with rookies Akeem Ayers and Colin McCarthy proved that they're ready to be starters for years to come.

If the Titans do decide to go with a different position with their first round pick, then there will still be plenty of other promising prospects for the Titans in the middle round of the draft.

Even going with a local product like Tim Fugger out of Vanderbilt could end up being a smart pick in the middle of the draft. The Titans would be getting an upstanding individual who would bring great character along with his great motor.

Fugger ranked eighth in the SEC in both sacks and tackles for loss in 2011.

It's vital that the Titans get back to putting pressure on the quarterback. The NFL is evolving more and more as a passing league, and you simply won't survive if you don't have a viable defensive line.

If, however, you have a stingy defensive line then it could take you all the way to the end. Just see the 2011 Super Bowl champion New York Giants if you need an example.

The fact is that the Titans have become soft on defense, while their offense has become a bigger threat. You need both to be a great team, and the Titans need to start with the defensive line this offseason.