The Titans are currently on the clock, with the first pick of the second day of the 2015 NFL draft, #33 overall. What might they do with that pick? Let’s go to the oracle of what the Titans will do in the draft, general manager Ruston Webster. From his pre-draft press conference:
“I would say that it’s a good group of outside linebackers, it’s a good group of receivers, and a pretty solid offensive line group.”
On the wide receiver depth in the draft: “I think it’s deep, you know, through the second round. I think it’s pretty deep that way with quality players.”
Ruston Webster does not seem to play games in his pre-draft press conference. It was abundantly clear in 2013 the Titans were taking a guard early, and as much as I wanted them to do otherwise, they went ahead and selected Chance Warmack with the tenth overall pick. We got hints last year I tried to ignore that they were interested in offensive tackle, and they went Taylor Lewan with the eleventh overall pick. Tuesday’s press conference was all about how they were going to draft Marcus Mariota with the second overall pick. They went ahead and did select Marcus Mariota with the second overall pick. Experience tells us we can and should take what Ruston Webster says seriously.
In that case, my favorite for where the Titans go with the #33 pick is wide receiver. There are a number of wide receivers available who will probably go in the second round who may be attractive to the Titans. Breakdown:
Devin Funchess, Michigan-No known Titans connection. Oversized WR/TE hybrid, probably more on the TE range than Kelvin Benjamin last year. Down 2014 season after returning to school, partly due to injury. Ran poorly at the combine, though much better at his pro day. I think he’s a move tight end and doubt the Titans have much interest in him.
Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri-One of the known visitors, a tall, fast, unpolished receiver with major off-the-field concerns. Some had him mocked to go in the first round, but the character issues could knock him out of the draft entirely.
Devin Smith, Ohio State-Played for the Titans at the Senior Bowl. Deep threat specialist at a minimum-not the same size as Justin Hunter, but a much better deep ball receiver in terms of tracking and catching the ball. Your evaluation of him, which probably ranges from late first/early second to early-mid third round, depends on whether you think he’s any good on shorter routes.
Jaelen Strong, Arizona State-Another of the known visitors, a tall contested catch specialist with decent long speed. If you don’t like him, you don’t think he separates and don’t think he’s really that good at winning contested catches. Could have gone in the late first, will probably go somewhere in the second round. Wrist injury he reportedly played through complicates his stock, as some teams may want him to have surgery.
I took Strong in my seven-round mock yesterday, and if the Titans are comfortable with his wrist I think he’s the favorite for the pick. If the Titans are as interested in size, then I think DGB is their choice if they’re as interested in size as I think they might be. Taking Devin Smith could be a sign they’re as down on Justin Hunter as I think they should be.
If they don’t go wide receiver, then offensive tackle and outside linebacker will be the pick. The candidates at outside linebacker:
Randy Gregory, Nebraska: Visitor. The top player left on the board per many evaluators, and sometimes by a significant margin. Long, fast edge rusher with the speed to turn the corner, but was under 240 pounds despite being 6’6″. Positive test at the combine for marijuana. Not sure if the Titans would love his football character, which seems to be the cause of the very vague concerns and his fall.
Eli Harold, Virginia-No known connection to the Titans. Spent a lot of time running into offensive tackles, that he got 7.0 sacks speaks more to me about college quarterbacks and college offensive tackles. NFL teams probably like him more than I do. If I ran the world, he’d be there at #66.
Danielle Hunter, LSU-Visitor. I think 33 would be early for him, but you never know. Athletic freak who doesn’t know how to play football well yet. A candidate at #66 if he makes it there.
Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington-Senior Bowl North team player. Really productive college player with some major knee injury questions. I doubt he goes in the top 50 picks, but a very viable candidate for #66 and the player I took there in my seven-round mock.
Nate Orchard, Utah-Senior Bowl North team player. Second to Kikaha in sacks in 2014. Experience rushing both with his hand in the dirt and standing up. Solid overall player I didn’t love. Not a candidate at #33, but one at #66.
The candidates at offensive tackle:
T.J. Clemmings, Pitt-Senior Bowl North team player. A bit unpolished defensive line convert who has only played tackle for a couple seasons. Powerful player. Athletically, he’s very gifted, good enough to be a good left tackle, but in need of a lot of technique work. Could start in 2015, could be a monster if he has a year to sit. I thought he’d go in the first round.
La’el Collins, LSU-No known connection to the Titans. Day one starter at right tackle who could be a great fit and an immediate upgrade over Bell and Stingily. Draft stick wildly uncertain due to connection with a pending murder investigation of the mother of his child in Baton Rouge. I doubt he gets drafted before Day 3 even though he would have gone in the first round without that.
Jake Fisher, Oregon-No known connection to the Titans, aside from that they just took his quarterback. Maybe more of a zone scheme offensive tackle, I thought he was a candidate to go to the Broncos in the late first round. If the Titans take him, they’re looking for something different than I think they are.
Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin-Senior Bowl North team player, also coached by line coach Bob Bostad at Wisconsin. Right tackle only in need of further development. He better not be a candidate at #33. I wouldn’t like him at #66 too much, either. I took him at #100 in my seven-round mock, and think that’s an ideal and realistic scenario.
Donovan Smith, Penn State-Senior Bowl North team player. Probably an NFL right tackle. Powerful player. Came out earlier than most people, including those in State College, expected, and similarly in need of development of his game. There’s a chance, not a good one in my eyes, he’s there at #66.
Daryl Williams, Oklahoma-Reported visitor. Can’t see him being a candidate at #33, but maybe at #66. Another power right tackle.
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