2011 Tennessee Titans first-round pick: Post-Combine Mock Drafts

Earlier this year, in January and February, we took a look at what draft prognosticators thought was in store for the Tennessee Titans with their 8th overall first-round pick. It’s no surprise, considering the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position, that in the minds of many mock drafters, finding a signal-caller should be the team’s first priority on its 2011 NFL Draft to-do-list.

Now that the NFL Combine has come and passed, we’ll once again take a peek at what mock drafters believe should be the Titans’ course of action with their first-rounder.

CBS Sports: Rob Rang- DT Nick Fairley, Chad Reuter- DT Marcell Dareus

Walter Football: DT Nick Fairley

New NFL Draft: QB Cam Newton

NFL Draft Dog:  DT Nick Fairley

FF Tool Box: QB Blaine Gabbert

Peter Schrager (Fox Sports): QB Blaine Gabbert

Shutdown Corner (Yahoo Sports): WR A.J. Green

Pat Kirwan (NFL.COM): DT Marcell Dareus

National Football Post: CB Patrick Peterson

Michael Lombardi: DT Nick Fairley

Analysis: 

Despite the Titans’ aforementioned need for a starting quarterback, the defensive tackle position has gained some momentum as the area many believe the team should address with their first-round draft pick, and for good reason: As much as the offseason focus has been on replacing Vince Young, the Titans have yet to adequately replace the gargantuan presence of former DT Albert Haynesworth, who departed for financially greener pastures two years ago.

As Andrew mentioned in his DT positional analysis, the Titans are certainly in need of some improvements at this spot. If Nick Fairley and/or Marcell Dareus are still around at pick #8, it’s going to be hard to pass up drafting one of these elite talents.

CB Patrick Peterson and WR A.J. Green are interesting names that popped up on this segment of our mock draft series. Both are extremely talented players who happen to play positions where the need for reinforcements pales in comparison to other areas such as quarterback and defensive tackle.

However, it’s only natural to drool over the possibility of Green and emerging #1 WR Kenny Britt causing terror for opposing defensive backs over the next several years.

Any thoughts/opinions regarding the mock drafts? As always, feel free to contribute below.