2012 NFL Draft: The Tennessee Titans' Worst-Case Scenario

For any team, the worst-case scenario in the draft is simple: take a guy who gets hurt immediately. This week, however, we'll be looking at each team in the South, pinning down their nightmare draft scenario.

Because I believe that teams should always take the best available player, the worst-case scenario for a front office occurs when the best player on the board happens to fall at a position that they don't need or don't value. That forces a difficult decision. The pick can be traded if there is a partner willing to deal, but if none can be found, the general manager then has to make the ultimate tough call.

Should he take the best player on the board or pass up talent to fill a need?

It's the worst-case scenario. Either choice is unsavory. You can never have too much talent at a position. However, it's always better when the stars align perfectly, and a team can take a player who makes them instantly better.

The Tennessee Titans struggled to rush the passer and run the football in 2011, and a major improvement in one or both areas could send them to the playoffs in 2012. While the Titans had obvious holes in the middle of the line, both tackles played well. Michael Roos and David Stewart were clearly part of the solution, not the problem, on the offensive line.

There are a plethora of pass rushers available early in the draft, but what should the Titans do if a premium offensive tackle falls to them?

Imagine this scenario:

Riley Reiff, out of Iowa, has been projected as a top ten pick, but could easily tumble down the board. If the top pass rushers Cox, Couples, Ingram, Brockers and Poe all come off the board early, Tennessee could be left with a gem of a tackle right there for the taking.

Obviously, you can never have too many quality offensive linemen, but the Titans need for pass rushers is so acute, it would be a pity to see the top player available fall at a line position that they already have well covered. Most mocks have Reiff as the tenth pick to the Bills, but Buffalo has the same problem as Tennessee. No Bill had more than five and a half sacks, and a player like Fletcher Cox could greatly help them.

It's great when need intersects with ability, but if it doesn't, the Titans will have to make a tough choice.