Senior Bowl 2011: Defensive Backs Titans Fans Should Watch

With Jeff Fisher officially out as head coach of the Titans, it’s hard to figure out which way the Titans will go with their first pick in the NFL Draft in April.

The secondary has been one of the weakest links of the team over the past few seasons, and some of these prospects playing in this weekend’s Senior Bowl could help turn this weakness into a strength.

North Team

Eric Hagg, Nebraska (Projected Round: 3-4)

This guy could end up being Chris Hope’s potential replacement if he has a solid performance in the Senior Bowl. He wasn’t even added to the Senior Bowl roster until earlier this week.

Hagg doesn’t have a ton of hype heading into the draft, but he’s still the ranked as the No. 9 safety by ESPN.

His biggest strength is his overall athletic ability. He’s versatile and is said to be great at covering tight ends in the slot. That was one of the Titans’ biggest weaknesses in covering the pass in 2010.

Last season, Hagg finished with five interceptions and a forced fumble.

If you're still not sold on this guy, then watch the video clip on Hagg lighting up a player from Texas A&M.

Hagg is a guy that will probably be around in the third or fourth round, so he could end up being a bargain.

Kendric Burney, North Carolina (Projected Round:3-4)

The Titans are thin at the cornerback position once you get past the starters, so it wouldn’t hurt for the Titans to stock up for the future.

A guy like Kendrick Burney may be able to fill that hole as a second-stringer, but possibly still help out in special teams.

Burney’s coaches at North Carolina have had nothing but good things to say about this guy’s work ethic, and that’s something the Titans need right now.

South Team

DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson (Projected Round: 2-3)

If it wasn’t for McDaniel’s off-the-field baggage, then McDaniel could be a late first-rounder to early second-rounder.

However, this guy has a ton of talent and has backed it up with 13 interceptions during his time at Clemson.

He’s also very good at defending the run and occasionally will rock the stadium with a big hit.

He had 63 tackles in 2010.

Obviously, his incident concerning a 19-year-old girl in 2008 is troubling, but the Titans should still keep an eye on how he performs in the Senior Bowl. There’s a reason he’s the fourth-best safety in the draft according to ESPN.

Marcus Gilchrist, Clemson (Projected Round: 3-4)

Here’s another Clemson guy that has a lot of upside.

One thing you have to love about Marcus Gilchrist is his durability. He played in 40 games while at Clemson and never missed game due to injury.

The numbers are there in the tackling department as well. He contributed regularly in stopping the run for Clemson, finishing the season with 55 tackles.

The one downfall for Gilchrist is his ability to make interceptions. He only had one in his entire career. That raises somewhat of a red flag, but he can help his cause by grabbing a pick in the Senior Bowl.