5 NFL Draft Prospects Titans Fans Should Already Be Watching
NFL draft season is still at least 12 weeks away for most teams, but the Tennessee Titans are one of a handful of teams that can probably start thinking about the offseason already.
The following list highlights five prospects who could be first-round targets of the Titans depending on where they end up making their first selection on April 30.
For the sake of this list, we'll assume Zach Mettenberger remains the Titans starting quarterback into the 2015 season. The new regime selected him in the 2014 draft for a reason, and it's reasonable to assume he'll get an extended look if he proves competent during his tryout this year.
Shane Ray, DE/LB, Missouri
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Shane Ray was on the outskirts of the NFL draft radar screen entering the season, but the junior pass-rusher has emerged as a legitimate top-10 prospect.
Ray combines an impressive combination of strength, explosiveness and awareness, making him one of the most well-rounded defensive linemen in the country.
In Tennessee, Ray would be an ideal fit at outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Ray Horton's 3-4 scheme.
As an upgrade over Kamerion Wimbley, Ray would be able to provide a boost to the Titans' pass-rush but also the ability to contribute as a true three-down linebacker due to his effectiveness against the run.
Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
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As a sophomore, Trae Waynes started opposite Darqueze Dennard. This year he's taken over a leadership role in the Spartans secondary.
Waynes is still developing and needs to get stronger to reach Dennard's level of play, but he has the intriguing size (he's listed at 6'1") to catch the NFL's attention.
Tennessee will likely need to wait until the second round to address its issues at cornerback, at which point Waynes could be an option.
If Waynes is off the board, a slew of other prospects could be options. They include Florida State's P.J. Williams and Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who look like fringe first-round prospects and could have good value for the Titans on the second day of the draft.
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
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Assuming Zach Mettenerger is going to get an extended look, the Titans need to improve the weapons around him.
Mettenberger is at his best when given the opportunity to challenge the defense down the field. Justin Hunter has the potential to develop into the type of receiver who could excel in their system but has shown minimal improvement through his first two seasons.
Kevin White has both the size and speed to fit in nicely in Tennessee's offense, either taking Hunter's spot or providing Mettenberger with downfield weapons on both sides.
With White and Hunter on the outside, some of the attention would then be taken away from Kendall Wright, who has been effectively shut down in the slot by many opposing defenses this season.
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Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
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Benardrick McKinney may be the inside linebacker the Titans have been in search of for years.
Few inside linebackers have both the size and speed to impact the game in the multitude of ways McKinney has shown at Mississippi State.
While possessing the explosiveness and strength to fight his way into the backfield, McKinney also displays the fluid athleticism, quickness and awareness to be an asset in coverage.
The combination of McKinney and Wesley Woodyard in the center of Ray Horton's defense would give the Titans the stability they need to continue to develop the unit.
Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
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While McKinney is more of a physical force and a threat to make plays in the backfield, the Titans may prefer a better athlete at inside linebacker.
Ray Horton helped turn Daryl Washington into a Pro Bowler during his time in Arizona. He could potentially do the same with an athlete like Shaq Thompson.
Thompson has the speed to excel in coverage but could also be turned into a pass-rushing threat due to Horton's creative defensive schemes.
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