Now that the major free agent signings have been finalized, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team heading into the 2015 NFL Draft. Today, the Tennessee Titans are the focus. The Titans have the second pick in the draft and general manager Ruston Webster and coach Ken Whisenhunt will be looking to improve the roster after a disappointing 2014 season.
Picks
First round (second overall)
Second round (33rd overall)
Third round (66th overall)
Fourth round (101st overall)
Fifth round (142nd overall)
Sixth round (177th overall)
Sixth round (208th overall) – acquired in trade that sent linebacker Akeem Ayers and the Titans 2015 seventh-round pick to the Patriots.
Tennessee Titans 2015 NFL Draft: Top 3 Needs
Quarterback
The Titans have a question to answer at quarterback, one that currently appears to be multiple choice. Jake Locker’s retirement leaves 2014 sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger as the current incumbent starter. Mettenberger started six games in his rookie season, but failed to lead the Titans to a win. The Titans need to decide if Mettenberger can become their franchise quarterback and they need to do it with the evidence of six games.
Holding the second pick in the draft gives the Titans options. Jameis Winston is widely thought to be off the board when the Titans are on the clock, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will seek to shore up their own quarterback position. This would leave Marcus Mariota as the obvious choice should the Titans choose to draft a quarterback. The third option in the Titans quarterback quandary is to trade the selection for a veteran player. Rumors have been circulating about a possible trade with the San Diego Chargers that would see the Titans acquire Philip Rivers.
Defensive Line
Tennessee’s run defense in 2014 was dire, ranking 31st in the league. The Titans gave up just under 2,200 yards on the ground. The Titans were unable to address their need at defensive line in free agency and so must look to do so in the draft. Leonard Williams is thought to be one of the top prospects in the draft and would fit well into the Titans 3-4 defensive scheme. Should a team trade up to grab Marcus Mariota, the Titans could still have the option of drafting Shane Ray or Arik Armstead, as well as possessing additional picks to improve depth elsewhere.
Wide Receiver
With Nate Washington departing Tennessee in free agency, the Titans lack depth at the receiver position. Whether Zach Mettenberger is the quarterback or the Titans acquire someone else, the Titans will need people to throw too. Justin Hunter and Kendall Wright are both solid young receivers, but it was tight end Delanie Walker who led the team in yards and receptions. With the depth at receiver in the 2015 draft class, the Titans have options. They could take Amari Cooper or Kevin White with the number two pick, they could trade back in the first round, or even fill another need early and address the receiver position at the top of the second round.
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