Titans draft preview: 3 players Tennessee could take at No. 2
In our continuing series, the Tennessee Titans hold the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft. FOXSports.com takes a look at their roster post-free agency and delivers a plan of attack for the last day in April.
Everything the Tennessee Titans do this offseason is geared towards improving the pass rush.
One of the most glaring issues last season was employing Ray Horton's 3-4 defensive scheme with 4-3 personnel. After hiring longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, the Titans enhanced their talent level in free agency. By re-signing defensive end Karl Klug and Derrick Morgan, they keep consistency in the unit. They also scooped up a talented cornerback in Perrish Cox, a stifling hitter in safety Da'Norris Searcy and a productive pass rusher (when healthy) in Brian Orakpo.
The offense could certainly use a jolt, but they have a promising talent at quarterback with Zach Mettenberger. While Mettenberger only started six games before sustaining a shoulder injury, he completed nearly 60 percent of his passes for 1,395 yards while throwing 8 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. "I think he's going to be a quality NFL quarterback with the chance to be a very good NFL quarterback," NFL Films' Greg Cosell said last November. Though Mettenberger's strong arm has been well referenced, the Titans must decide if they want to move forward and build around him or add another potential franchise-caliber arm with one of the two elite quarterback prospects.
Positions of need: DL, OT and WR
Three options to consider
Marcus Mariota, QB: Assuming Winston goes to Tampa Bay as just about every mock draft has penciled down, the best remaining quarterback is the former Heisman Trophy winner. While the QB play in Tennessee was subpar last season, the offensive line was ravaged with injuries and at one point was without three of its five starters. Mariota offers big-play ability, but is he the franchise cornerstone Whisenhunt wants to build his offense around?
Leonard Williams, DL: FOX Sports 1's NFL Draft expert Joel Klatt has Williams ranked as the No. 1 player on his big board and it's for good reason. Williams displays the versatility and first-step quickness to be a nightmare for opposing offensive coordinators. Williams would give LeBeau and Horton another chess piece to create mismatches in a stout front-7.
Kevin White, WR: While this is certainly a wild-card pick, the Titans have longed for a game-changing target on the outside. Before Kendall Wright's 1,079 -yard campaign in 2013, the Titans' last wide receiver that eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark was Drew Bennett in 2004. White displayed blazing speed in the 40-yard dash and was ultra-productive during his senior season in Morgantown, hauling in 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns.
FAN MOCK DRAFT: Who should the Titans take? Let us know here.