Tennessee Titans lean defense in early 2021 mock draft

Todd McShay has released his early 2021 mock draft, and he has the Tennessee Titans going defense in the first round with a defensive lineman.

The Tennessee Titans have had some great drafts since Jon Robinson took over as the Titans general manager in 2016. It’s still early, but it looks like Robinson hit the nail on the head with the 2020 draft as well.

The expectations are going to continue to be high for Robinson and the Titans for future drafts, and that won’t change for the 2021 draft.

ESPN’s Todd McShay has released an early 2021 mock draft, and the Titans went defense in his mock draft. McShay has the Titans drafting LSU defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin with the No. 19 overall pick.

"“Addressing either pass-rusher (Vic Beasley Jr. is on a one-year contract) or wide receiver (while A.J. Brown is the real deal, there isn’t much behind him) here would have been a reach,” McShay said. “If Clemson receiver Justyn Ross’ health were a little more clear, he would have been in the mix. Instead, the Titans can take one of the best available players. Shelvin isn’t much of a pass-rusher — though he is better than his zero sacks suggest — but he is very stout against the run. And with DaQuan Jones signed only through 2020, Tennessee could use another run-stopper up the middle to hold it down with 2019 first-rounder Jeffery Simmons.”"

The absence of Jurrell Casey on the defensive line will be something that the Titans will have to deal with for the first time since 2010. The Titans shouldn’t suffer too much with Jeffery Simmons and DaQuan Jones holding down the d-line.

The addition of 2020 fifth-round draft pick Larrell Murchison will add some depth to the defensive line.

I like the pick as of right now. Even if the Titans added a player like Jadeveon Clowney, it’s unlikely that Clowney would stay around long-term, so the Titans will need to find a defensive lineman or defensive end in the draft.