If you’re looking for who holds the key to the 2015 NFL Draft, look no further than the Tennessee Titans, who hold the No. 2 pick. What they do with it will reverberate throughout the first round, and could lead to multiple blockbuster trades and surprise moves.
The Titans have let it be known they are open for business with the pick, but they’re unlikely to get the kind of deal the St. Louis Rams got for the Robert Griffin III pick back in 2010. Mock drafts have them doing everything from taking a wide receiver, to a quarterback, to a defensive lineman to an outside linebacker. And that’s not even counting the trade scenarios. So what do I think the Titans perfect draft looks like? Take a look and see.
First round, pick No. 2
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
2014: 4,454 yards passing, 42 touchdowns, four interceptions, 770 yards rushing, 15 touchdowns
I don’t think the Titans will trade this pick and I sure as hell don’t see them taking another player when Mariota is likely sitting right there, solving their quarterback issues for good. Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt has already been fired once for not solving his quarterback situation back in Arizona. He won’t take that chance again. It doesn’t matter than Mariota’s game looks a little different than your standard NFL quarterback. Put him in the shotgun and figure it out. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are giving the Titans a gift by all-but surely taking Florida State’s Jameis Winston with the top pick. Tennessee can’t afford to waste it.
Second round, pick No. 33
Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State
2014: 48 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, two interceptions, five passes defended, two forced fumbles and two blocked kicks
If Smith makes it to the second round, and he likely could because of all the offensive tackles and wide receivers that will be going in round one, the Titans would be insane to pass him up. Those 2014 stats are the numbers of a terror who will be an upgrade at either defensive end position in Tennessee’s 3-4 scheme.
Third round, pick No. 66
Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State
2014: 43 tackles, one tackle for a loss, four passes defended, one forced fumble
The Titans need a corner and while Darby isn’t going to win any awards with his hands, there are few wide receivers in the NFL that will run past him. Darby posted a 4.38 40-yard dash at the combine and has a nearly 42-inch vertical jump to go with his decent size at 5-foot-11, 193 pounds. He won’t start for a season or two, but once he does the Titans will be set at one corner.
Fourth round, pick No. 100
Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
An ACL tear and the inability to work out for scouts have caused Ogbuehi’s stock to drop, but there’s no reason not to grab the star 6-foot-5, 306-pound offensive lineman in the fourth round. Ogbuehi expected to be a first round pick last season and returned to the Aggies only after he got a $60,000 insurance policy, which he’s already cashed in. Staying in school probably cost him a lot of coin, but the Titans get real value once he’s healthy.
Fifth round, pick No. 138
Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska
2014: 47 catches, 788 yards, six touchdowns, 16.8 yards per catch
Bell is a burner and with solid starters Justin Hunter and Kendall Wright already in place, the Titans need a slot guy that can make safeties sweat. Bell ran a 4.42 40-yard dash and can turn short routes into big plays.
Sixth round, pick No. 176
Shaquille Mason, C, Georgia Tech
Mason is a project, but he’ll come into camp as a 6-foot-2, 304-pound road grader that’s used to pushing the pile and opening holes for running backs. With a young quarterback, the Titans will need to focus on the running game to take the pressure of Mariota and while Mason won’t be a factor this upcoming season, he’ll add important depth and can be groomed into a future starter.
Sixth round, pick No. 207
Joey Mbu, DT, Houston
2014: 32 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sackls, one interception, five passes defended
A better pass rusher than you’d think at 6-foot-3, 312 pounds, Mbu may be a steal with the Titans final pick in the draft. Mbu dominated his competition at the senior bowl and his long, 34.5-inch arms can wrap up ballcarriers, shed blockers and stuff the run.
