NFL Draft 2011: Will the Tennessee Titans Replace Vince Young or Go for Defense?

No coach in the NFL was associated with a team quite like Jeff Fisher was with the Tennessee Titans.

However, after 16 seasons, owner Bud Adams and Fisher mutually decided to part ways.

In recent seasons, much of the tension between the two men was over quarterback Vince Young—Fisher never wanted him, but Adams was always enamored with the quarterback's star power.

Nevertheless, even before Fisher left the Titans, the franchise had decided to turn the page and move on from their star QB. This would leave veteran Kerry Collins and second-year project Rusty Smith as the only quarterbacks on the roster.

The Titans then promoted longtime assistant Mike Munchak to head coach.

A Hall of Famer as a player, Munchak figures to rely heavily on a veteran offensive line and running back Chris Johnson.

Jerry Gray, a longtime NFL cornerback and former Houston Oiler, is now the defensive coordinator.

Gray will run a similar scheme to former coordinator Chuck Cecil. In his time as the defensive coordinator with the Buffalo Bills, Gray's defenses were generally always a strong unit.

The Titans have had some strong drafts in recent years.

Derrick Morgan, their first-round pick in 2010, was injured for much of his rookie year, but will be 100 percent for training camp. Fourth-round pick Alterraun Verner was perhaps the steal of the 2010 draft.

Two of Tennessee’s better defensive players from last year are currently free agents. The ongoing labor dispute has hampered their efforts to re-sign LB Stephen Tulloch and DE Jason Babin.

So what are the Titans’ biggest needs heading into the 2011 NFL draft?

Linebacker

Whether it's in the middle or the outside, Tennessee need to bolster this unit.

Tulloch may or may not be back, while veteran Will Witherspoon at this point is a stopgap. OLB Gerald McRath was inconsistent after a solid rookie season.

However, with the eighth pick in the draft, there doesn’t appear to be a player worth taking at this position.

Von Miller, the best OLB in the draft, will not be available. Robert Quinn would be a better fit at DE in Tennessee's 4-3 scheme, but they are solid there already.

That being said, there are options for Tennessee to improve at this position beyond the first round. MLB Greg Jones, OLB Bruce Carter and ILB Martez Wilson all figure to be available between the second and third rounds.

Quarterback

With the ageless wonder Kerry Collins and the unproven Rusty Smith as the only QBs on the roster, the Titans need an upgrade.

Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert, the top two quarterbacks in this year's draft, will likely be gone by the time the Titans pick.

Even so, with Munchak having been around during the Vince Young era, it's highly unlikely he'd want Newton anyway.

Many of the same questions that Young faced, Newton is facing now. What's more, these questions extend beyond the field.

The Titans have been rumored to be interested in Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder. They will likely have to trade back to the end of Round 1 to have a shot at him.

Tennessee could also look in the direction of Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Having a solid veteran like Collins could give the team time for Kaepernick to get adjusted to the pro game. What's more, Collins excels in the role of mentor as he embraces it.

Defensive Tackle

Tennessee has solid players at this position, including Jason Jones, Tony Brown and Sen’Derrick Marks. Marks and Jones are both in their fourth year or lower.

However, while they have solid players here; none of them are difference makers. Tennessee’s interior defense was pushed around in 2010.

The Titans seem like a perfect match for Auburn DT Nick Fairley.

When he declared for the draft in January, many were saying Fairley would be the No. 1 overall pick.

Ever since, character concerns have plagued him. The fact that he only had one really good season has also led to further questions being asked.

Still, Fairley has outstanding ability. He is an excellent pass-rusher on the inside and a capable run-stuffer as well.

He possesses great size and outstanding athletic ability. Fairley is great in pursuit and is surprisingly fast for a man of his size.

Tennessee recently hired Fairley’s college position coach, Tracy Rocker, as the team’s new defensive line coach. Many close to the Auburn program say Rocker was instrumental in Fairley’s development.

While it is hard to predict how this draft will play out, seeing Fairley drop to eight seems like a plausible scenario. He would step right in and make the Tennessee defense better from day one.

Look for the Titans to pick Fairley, assuming he is there, and search for a QB with some of their other selections.