Tennessee Titans Mock Draft: Final 7-Round Predictions
Well, the NFL draft is only a few hours away, and so far the Tennessee Titans still have the second overall pick.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selecting Jameis Winston is all but a given at this point, so it's at the Titans' pick where things begin to get interesting.
Although the Titans are still in talks with other teams about trading the pick, per ESPN.com's Pat McManamon, I think it's likely that the Titans will stay put. Either way, projecting a potential trade is difficult business with so many other teams rumored to be in play for the pick.
Furthermore, according to Peter King of MMQB.com, the Titans seem to really like Marcus Mariota, and will want a hefty payout before they're willing to trade down with anyone.
With those things in mind, I've drawn up a final mock draft with no trades projected. The Titans have a lot of holes, but it's overly ambitious to try to fix every problem in a single draft. Rome wasn't built in a day, and even if the Titans did trade down, there are just too many problems to fix all at once.
So, without further ado, here is a final seven-round mock for the Titans.
Round 1
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No. 2: Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon
Although the Titans likely want to get a great offer and trade down, I don't think it's going to end up happening. The staff likes Marcus Mariota, and if they don't get the high price they want for their pick, they'll stay where they are and take the Oregon signal-caller.
Mariota is a tough quarterback to project in the NFL; he has all the physical tools, great game tape and showed terrific footwork at the combine, but he comes from an offensive system that didn't require him to make a lot of the same type of plays he will have to in the NFL.
Zach Mettenberger showed a few flashes last season, but he showed more bad than good, and a chance to draft a top-flight quarterback doesn't come often. (The Titans haven't picked this high since they were the Oilers.)
If the Titans aren't 100 percent sold on Mettenberger's ability and think Mariota could be a viable NFL starter, then he has to be the pick.
Round 2
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No. 33: Shane Ray, Outside Linebacker, Missouri
Teams will be wary of Shane Ray after his recent arrest, and I wouldn't be shocked if he fell out of the first round entirely. The Titans will be just as wary as everyone else, but with a roster as devoid of talent as the Titans possess, I think they'll be a little more lenient on character issues if it nets them an impact player.
Besides, the Titans seem to like Ray, as they hosted him on an official visit earlier in April, per Jimmy Morris of Music City Miracles.
He was an incredibly productive pass-rusher at Missouri, producing 14.5 sacks and five hurries in his last year of college ball. He's also no slouch against the run, recording 22.5 tackles for loss, 65 total tackles and three forced fumbles for good measure.
Ray's foot injury prevented him from working out beyond the bench press at the combine, where he racked up a fairly good 22 reps. However, he looked a little slower than expected at Missouri's pro day. Still, his game tape shows a great initial burst, and he has two years of solid production under his belt.
Ray could combine with Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo to make a fierce pass rush.
Round 3
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No. 66: Daryl Williams, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma
Daryl Williams was a solid right tackle for the Sooners, and he even spent a little time at left tackle against Alabama, excelling in the process.
The Titans will be looking for an upgrade at right tackle to help out new quarterback Marcus Mariota, and Williams could be their guy. It also doesn't hurt that Williams met with the Titans on April 6, per The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson.
Williams is an average athlete, but he looked solid in the combine drills. With ideal right tackle measurements (6'5", 327 pounds with 35" arms), he could be worth investing a third-rounder in.
Williams would also have time to develop if needed, as the Titans have four-year NFL veteran Byron Bell on the roster.
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Round 4
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No. 100: Tre McBride, Wide Receiver, William & Mary
The Titans could use some depth at receiver. Kendall Wright is great, but Justin Hunter hasn't put it all together yet, Harry Douglas will be 31 near the start of the season and Hakeem Nicks has been plagued by injury for most of his career.
That is a receiving corps that comes with a lot of risk, so the Titans would be wise to invest a middle-round pick in another receiver.
McBride not only has NFL size, but great hands, decent speed and a solid GPA, which indicates his ability to learn the Titans' offensive scheme. That said, he struggles to get separation, so there's going to be a learning curve in the NFL.
Of course, he's not going to be asked to be the Titans' go-to receiver, just a good depth option behind Wright, Douglas, Hunter and Nicks, so he ought to be able to fill that role effectively.
Round 5
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No. 138: Justin Coleman, Cornerback, Tennessee
Everyone loves local prospects, and the Titans have some issues at corner anyway. Blidi Wreh-Wilson has been a disappointment thus far, and Coty Sensabaugh took a step backward in 2014, so some new blood would be nice.
Coleman has been a regular contributor on the Volunteers defense for years, and he had solid performances at this year's Senior Bowl and at the scouting combine.
Coleman posted a mediocre 40-yard dash time of 4.53 seconds, but his bench press total (20 reps) and times in the three-cone drill (6.61 seconds), 20-yard shuttle (3.98 seconds) and 60-yard shuttle (11.21 seconds) were among the best in the class.
Coleman is tough against the run and could be an instant contributor on special teams. He also has some developmental potential, so he'd be a great value here.
Round 6
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No. 177: David Cobb, Running Back, Minnesota
The Titans just spent a second-rounder on Bishop Sankey last year, but he was far from impressive in his rookie season. The team needs a power back behind Shonn Greene, who's missed a big chunk of playing time due to injury.
Cobb is big, 5'11" and 229 pounds, and generates a lot of power, but he doesn't have the strength or quickness to be more than a one-dimensional runner. He also has some fumbling issues, but it's the sixth round, so you can't expect stars to still be around.
Cobb can do an adequate job of hammering the ball for a yard when it's needed.
No. 208: Kaleb Eulls, Defensive Tackle, Mississippi State
It's not Leonard Williams, but the Titans will finally add some depth at defensive end. Kaleb Eulls wasn't enough of a standout to earn a combine invite, but he did have three sacks and a hurry in 2014, along with 34 total tackles and three for loss.
Mostly, he has long arms and the right frame to play the 5-technique. The Titans aren't necessarily thin at the position, but they are playing quite a few guys who don't really belong in the 3-4, so having a natural fit for depth would be handy.
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