I’ll have a broad-scale overview that looks at the draft more conceptually later this week. In the interim, here is a basic overview of the players the Tennessee Titans selected in the 2015 NFL draft, very brief summaries of why the Titans chose them and why they might not work out, and my guess at their likely 2015 role. If you wonder how this exercise has gone in the past see the 2014 version.
Player: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Draft slot: 1st round, 2nd overall
How Titans acquired pick: Their own 1st round pick
Why the Titans chose him: Need at quarterback. Top quarterback on the board by a significant margin. Phenomenally productive college quarterback with no NFL red flags. Doesn’t fit Ken Whisenhunt’s preferred drop-back statue in the pocket, but I’m taking the story at face value-the Titans did a lot of work on him and grew comfortable with the way he learns and processes on-field information, vital traits for transitioning to an NFL passing game.
Why he might be a bad pick: Faces a significant transition from Oregon’s spread to Whisenhunt’s passing offense. For a top two pick, demonstrated ability to manage within a muddied pocket, throw with anticipation, and work through NFL-style progression is limited.
Likely role: Franchise quarterback for the next 12 or 15 years would be great, but starting all 16 games in 2015 would be a good way to begin his career.
Player: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Draft slot: 2nd round, 40th overall
How Titans acquired pick: Traded their own 2nd round pick to the Giants (also received 4th and 7th round picks)
Why the Titans chose him: Need at receiver, especially for a player with his traits. Physically imposing, fast receiver with the ability to win contested catches. By general consensus a top 10-15 talent in the draft class.
Why he might be a bad pick: Significant red flags off the field, including multiple marijuana arrests and a nasty domestic violence allegation which saw him kicked off Mizzou. Didn’t play in 2014, so current level of development is unknown. Based on 2013 play, in need of significant technical improvement to become a quality NFL starter.
Likely role: Unclear based on lack of recent knowledge-could be from fourth/fifth receiver with red zone role to starting receiver playing many snaps per game, both in 2015 and beyond.
Player: Jeremiah Poutasi, OT, Utah
Draft slot: 3rd round, 66th overall
How Titans acquired pick: Their own 3rd round pick
Why the Titans chose him: Need at right tackle. Powerful player who could provide the sort of physical presence the Titans want to add to their run game. Drafting to win the AFC South-see what the Patriots did to the Colts on the ground twice last year.
Why he might be a bad pick: Questionable edge pass protector at the NFL level whose future may be at guard, which would leave the future of right tackle unclear. 2012 Arizona Cardinals possible cautionary tale of what happens when you have too many large power players on one line. Probably not a zone scheme fit.
Likely role: In competition with Byron Bell and Byron Stingily for starting right tackle job in 2015, favorite for starting right tackle job in 2016.
Player: Angelo Blackson, DL, Auburn
Draft slot: 4th round, 100th overall
How Titans acquired pick: Their own 4th round pick
Why the Titans chose him: Powerful run defender at line of scrimmage with experience in a 3-man line.
Why he might be a bad pick: Not a pass rusher. Didn’t play to his potential on the Plains. I thought the last thing the Titans needed to add to a defensive line grouping that is solid but mediocre was a fourth round pick.
Likely role: Rotational run-stopper in 2015 with role similar to DaQuan Jones or Al Woods in 2014, potentially playing both nose tackle and defensive end, with the possibility for a larger future role based on his development as a player.
Player: Jalston Fowler, FB, Alabama
Draft slot: 4th round, 108th overall
How Titans acquired pick: Received from the Giants for moving back in 2nd round
Why the Titans chose him: Whisenhunt is #TeamFullback and they didn’t have one on the roster. Best fullback in the draft. Effective lead blocker with some ability as a runner and good hands as a receiver. See Poutasi re drafting to win the AFC South.
Why he might be a bad pick: Taking a fullback in the fourth round is a bit antediluvian-after the pick, Fowler indicated he thought he might go undrafted. Will likely only average 10-15 snaps per game at best, so why not a player with a higher ceiling?
Likely role: Starting fullback in 2015 and beyond, playing limited snaps on offense and a core special teams player. Basically, see Jackie Battle 2014 except maybe a better lead blocker and more snaps if games don’t get out of hand quickly and the Titans can run the ball the way they want.
Player: David Cobb, RB, Minnesota
Draft slot: 5th round, 138th overall
How Titans acquired pick: Their own 5th round pick
Why the Titans chose him: Productive college power back with a developing three down skill set. See Poutasi re drafting to win the AFC South.
Why he might be a bad pick: Not a great burst and not much long speed. Developing three down skill set, needs to be more consistent as a pass blocker and as a receiver. Ball security issues. Doesn’t show the vision to be a good zone runner. Not a good ‘bad blocking’ runner, which has been one of my pet peeves with the Titans’ running back evaluation.
Likely role: Competition for Shonn Greene and Antonio Andrews in the power back role-I think he’s better than both those players and a better runner than Bishop Sankey as well, and I’m not alone in that assessment. If the Titans agree, he’ll lead the team in carries in 2015 and beyond.
Player: Deiontrez Mount, OLB, Louisville
Draft slot: 6th round, 177th overall
How Titans acquired pick: Their own 6th round pick
Why the Titans chose him: Developmental edge rusher with experience both standing up and playing in a three-point stance.
Why he might be a bad pick: Couldn’t win a starting job in college and not purely athletically explosive. I was underwhelmed by his tape.
Likely role: In a competition for the fourth outside linebacker job in 2015. Will likely only play special teams and limited snaps as a rookie if he makes the team, but LeBeau’s Steelers once had a long history of turning unheralded prospects into quality starters in their second or third season.
Player: Andy Gallik, C, Boston College
Draft slot: 6th round, 208th overall
How Titans acquired pick: Received from the Patriots in the Akeem Ayers trade
Why the Titans chose him: Fits the power player mold, see Poutasi and drafting to win the AFC South. Very effective phone booth player. Brian Schwenke keeps getting hurt.
Why he might be a bad pick: May be a phone booth player, seems to lack even Schwenke’s foot quickness and will struggle to block NFL linebackers at the second level unless he improves significantly.
Likely role: Reserve interior offensive lineman in 2015, though possibly only if the Titans keep nine offensive linemen, with possible larger role based on his development and Schwenke’s continued development and health.
Player: Tre McBride, WR, William & Mary
Draft slot: 7th round, 245th overall
How Titans acquired pick: Received from the Giants for moving back in 2nd round
Why the Titans chose him: Best player on the board regardless of position. Smooth and productive college player who stood out against I-AA foes and didn’t look out of place in games against BCS-level competition. Virtually everyone had him going much higher in the draft than he actually did.
Why he might be a bad pick: May not have any outstanding physical traits-didn’t seem to play to his 4.41 40-and may struggle to separate against NFL-level defenders. Significant fall in draft raises possibility of unknown issues.
Likely role: Competition at receiver, 2015 role very unclear-could be anywhere from doesn’t make the team to plays with DGB and Kendall Wright in three-receiver sets. Last Titans seventh-round pick to do anything of note with the team was Cortland Finnegan in 2006, so who knows.
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