2011 NFL Mock Draft: Tennessee Titans 7 Round Mock Draft
Why do we feel the need to place mock drafts on the Internet for all to see? We all now that every prediction is subject to debate, but still, its a lot of fun to try and predict where players will land in the upcoming NFL Draft.
QB is the most pressing need for the Titans, even more so with the absence of free agency. You can bet that the Titans will draft a QB early in the draft. Other needs that need to be addressed are DL, LB, CB and WR.
I would also would like to thank John McClain of the Houston Chronicle for a great tour of the Houston Texans facility just a few weeks ago. I had great talks with Head Coach Gary Kubiak, Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips and LB DeMeco Ryans.
Now, open for debate , here is the Titans Seven Round Mock Draft.
Round 1: (Pick 8) Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
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Strengths:
Disruptive, Penetrating DT with excellent burst , quick off the snap and excellent athleticism for a player his size. A force in the middle and a proven play-maker.
Weaknesses:
Lacks elite strength and has a tendency to play too high at times.
Why he fits with the Titans:
Nick Fairley is a disruptive, penetrating DT that fits perfectly in the Titans 4-3 scheme and would immediately upgrade their defensive front four. The last time the Titans had a dominant DT was with Albert Haynesworth and he only played lights out in contract years. Fairley could be just what the Titans need to improve their run defense and based on his college production, he should make opposing QB's very uncomfortable.
Although the Titans obvious need is QB, the Titans go defense with their first round selection. Carolina, Buffalo, Arizona and SF are all QB thirsty teams that pick ahead of the Titans.
There is always a chance that the top two QB prospects in this years draft (Gabbert and Newton) could be available, but in my mock draft i am going to assume that they are both off the board when the Titans pick. If either Gabbert or Newton are still available, then i think the Titans pull the trigger.
Other Draft Possibilities with this pick:
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina
Round 2: (Pick 7) Christian Ponder, QB, FSU
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Strengths:
Accurate, plenty of zip on the ball; Can make all the throws; Has a compact-over the top delivery and overall sound mechanics; Can buy extra time in the pocket; Has above average mobility; athleticism and vision; Team Captain at FSU; displays excellent leadership qualities.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't have elite arm strength; Needs to do a better job reading defenses; Will force throws into double coverage.
Why he fits with the Titans:
Christian Ponder is best suited in a west coast style of offense, but his athleticism is an asset for any team, especially a team like the Titans who need someone behind center who can make plays and lead the team. Ponder is athletic , buys time in the pocket, has sound mechanics and has the leadership qualities you want in a starting QB.
Other possibilities with this pick.
Jake Locker, QB, Washington (Trade up)
Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland
Ryan Mallet,QB, Arkansas
Round 3: (Pick 13) Quan Sturdivant, ILB, North Carolina
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Strengths:
Possesses above average instincts and read-react skills; Attacks gaps and closes quickly on the ball; Tenacious tackler, aggressive second level defender; Explosive player with above average speed and quickness; Solid Football IQ; Excels against the run and flashes the athleticism needed to cover in space.
Weaknesses:
Isn't a classic wrap up tackler; Can be too aggressive an overrun plays; Is inconsistent shedding blocks.
Why he fits with the Titans:
Quan Sturdivant is an instinctual player with the ideal skill set to play ILB along the Titans front seven. His aggressive style of play isn't always an asset , but the Titans need more guys on defense that can create turnovers and put the ball back in the offenses' hands. Gerald McRath and Will Witherspoon are the two best LB's on the roster, but the Titans need more production from this position.
Other possibilities with this pick:
Stefen Wisnieski, C, Penn State
Allen Bailey, DE, Miami
Dontay Moch, OLB, Nevada
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Round 4 (Pick 12) Stephen Shilling, OG, Michigan
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Strengths:
Excellent lateral mobility and initial quickness; Good hand punch and extension in pass protection; Consistent ability to anchor, tough to move; Above average drive blocker, fires off the snap; Has the feet and athleticism needed to be effective on pulls/traps; Versatile interior lineman that can play anywhere along the line; Tireless (lunch pale) work ethic. Blue Collar prospect.
Weaknesses:
Tends to overextend, losing balance and leverage. Struggles at times sustaining blocks to the whistle.
Why he fits with the Titans:
The Titans have one of the best OT tandems in Michael Roos and David Stewart, but the interior line could improve. Schilling could challenge for a starting spot along the interior offensive line. He is just the type of tough, hard nosed player that would fit well into the Titans organization.
Other possibilities with this pick:
Mason Foster, OLB, Washington
Buster Skrine, CB, UT-Chattanooga
Denarius Moore, WR, Tennessee
Round 5: (Pick 11) Chykie Brown, CB, Texas
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Strengths:
Can play man/press or off coverage with equal ability; Fluid hips and above average agility; Excellent overall speed and short area quickness; Tracks the ball well; Great technique and plays with discipline, rarely beaten by pump fakes or double moves; Uses hands effectively to jam receivers at the line; Solid open field tackler:
Weaknesses:
Doesn't possess elite recovery speed; Struggles in zone coverage; Backpedal is high and takes false steps in transition; Suffered a broken right forearm in 2010:
Why he fits with the Titans:
With Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner the current starters behind Cortland Finnegan, the Titans may be looking to add another athletic ball-hawk to the secondary. Chykie Brown has the desired skill set and if drafted by the Titans, would have every opportunity to challenge for a starting spot on the roster.
Other possibilities with this pick:
Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama
Martin Parker, DT, Richmond
Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon
Round 6: (Pick 10) Austin Pettis,WR, Boise State
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Strengths:
Has above average size for the position; Strong ,sure hands and plucks the ball, rarely letting it into his body; Uses his big frame to shield defenders; Displays great body control and concentration; Shows consistently ability to gain yards after catch; Solid possession receiver and red zone threat; Solid blocker.
Weaknesses:
Only marginal speed and quickness; Not a quick twitch athlete; Struggles gaining separation and needs space to build speed; Not a deep vertical threat unless there is a breakdown in defensive coverage.
Why he fits with the Titans:
Although Pettis is not a deep threat, he is a sure handed receiver that would fit well within the Titans offense. He can line up in the slot or share time when the Titans go into a spread offense. When points are precious and they have been lately for the Titans, adding another red-zone target into the mix could prove valuable.
Other possibilities with this pick:
Keith Williams, OG, Nebraska
Jason Kelce, C, Cincinnati
Loyce Means, CB, Houston
Round 7: (Pick 9) Cliff Matthews, DE, South Carolina
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Strengths:
Above average quickness and athleticism; Team Captain with excellent leadership qualities; Has good burst off the edge and plays the game with a high motor.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't have an elite skill set for the position; Lacks the speed to spend a lot of time in the backfield, but is a productive player none the less; Shoulder injury in 2010:
Why he fits with the Titans:
If the Titans draft Matthews here, it would be purely to add him into the defensive rotation behind Derrick Morgan and Jason Babin.
Other possibilities with this pick:
Karl Klug, DE, Iowa
Chris Neild, DT, West Virginia
O.J.Murdock, WR, Fort Hays State
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