So What Do Tennessee Titans Do Next?

The Tennessee Titans had one of the most miserable years in franchise history in 2014. The disaster finally came to an end in Nashville as the Titans lost their tenth straight game of the season to the AFC South Division Champions 27-10. The Titans did not win a game in November or December, and finished 2-14 overall.

The poor season has set up the Titans with the second pick of the upcoming 2015 NFL draft to be held in Chicago on April 30th-May 2nd. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured the first round pick by losing their last game. It is amazing how nothing much has been said about the Bucs tanking that game. The Bucs led late in the fourth quarter against the disappointing New Orleans Saints, but sat their best players without a reason during the second half.

So where do they go in the draft? For the first time in some time there is not a clear cut number one and number two pick in the field of declared Juniors and Seniors. Their are no quarterbacks that seem to be franchise quarterbacks. There is no dominant defensive end to put pressure on quarterbacks. There is no dominant shut down corner. The depth of the draft is great, but the top of the draft is not that great. So it seems. That may prove differently.

The Titans need players. Period. I was pretty tough on this group in my conversations with friends and fans. Although I know these guys were giving everything they had, it looked to me as if the Titans had possibly 2 players on the entire defense that could start on any other NFL team. Those two being Jurrell Casey and Michael Griffin. They need help here at all positions.

The Titans Defense finished dead last in the AFC in Defense. They were 27th in the entire NFL. They gave up a total of 373 yard per game, and 27.4 points per game. That is not Titan defense. Tennessee gave up an average of 235 yards per game through the air and 137.2 yards per game on the ground. Only the Browns had a worse run defense in the NFL.

On the Offensive side of the ball the Titans finished a dismal 29th in the league in total offense. They averaged only 303.7 yards per game. Only the Bucs, Jaguars and Raiders were worse. The Titans averaged only 90.4 yards per rushing which was 26th in the NFL . They averaged 213 yards through the air, which is really disturbing based on how many games they were so far behind that they were forced to throw. But, then again they had such a limited amount of total plays since they could not generate first downs throughout the season. So the offense was pitiful as well.

So it is evident that the Titans will take the best player available. They have needs everywhere. The top quarterbacks are Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. More than likely the Bucs will choose Mariota as they need a quarterback desperately. So with the number two pick the Titans will be in position to pick Winston. Winston has a lot of baggage though, and I don’t think they can risk this pick. The Titans have a good young quarterback in last years late round pick Zach Mettenberger. Mettenberger is not the problem at Tennessee, but he is not a savior either.

The next best offensive player is Alabama receiver Amari Cooper. Cooper is a difference maker. The Titans are thin at receiver as it is a foregone conclusion that long time Titan Nate Washington will not be back with the team. That leaves Justin Hunter and Kendall Wright as the only serviceable receivers on the team. Neither of these are a number one. Cooper would be a number one and would make both of these guys better. He is my pick.

There as several offensive lineman available, but I highly doubt they will go offensive line with all of the money that was spent on this disaster last season. Taylor Lewan looks like a solid first round pick so far. I do not think there is an offensive lineman good enough to be drafted with the second pick. If so, it will be Ereck Flowers of Miami or Outland Trophy winner Brandon Scherff of Iowa.

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However the Titans need defense as well. Probably even more so than offense. It is just hard to say. They need it all.

Their pass rush is non existent. None of the defensive lineman can get to the quarterback.  I have to admit that Derek Morgan did a better job this season at outside linebacker, and he occasionally got it the quarterback’s face. Occasionally does not get it on and NFL defense though, and he needs help. The best defensive lineman are Leonard Williams of USC and Randy Gregory of Nebraska. Both of these guys can fit in the 3-4 of present defensive coordinator Ray Horton (who I question after seeing his defense this season). They both rush the passer well, and are completely disruptive in the run game. Both are legitimate options.

PJ Williams who is a Corner at Florida State is the top rated defensive back right now, but he is not rated high enough to pick at number 2. The best linebacker is thought to be Alvin Dupree of Kentucky. He will be a top 10 pick, but again, I am not sure he is the best player available at two. The Titans linebackers are not good. Wesley Woodyard (also of Kentucky) did not play like he did in Denver. Maybe his age is showing, maybe it was just getting plugged into a new system with other players that were not that great. Kentucky linebacker Avery Williamson looks like the real deal in his first year. He can play. If the Titans took Dupree, three of the four linebackers would be from Kentucky. Based on Kentucky’s football record in the past 50 years, that is kind of scary.

I wouldn’t want to be the one to make the pick in this draft for the Titans. They are in a tough situation. This one will be critiqued by everyone. The good thing for the Titans is that their needs are so many, they can hardly make a bad decision. We will see where they go in April. It will be fun to watch. I can’t wait for the combine!