Tennessee Titans Go Defense in Latest Mel Kiper Mock Draft from ESPN
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have some major needs on the offensive side of the ball despite adding some pieces in free agency. Most mock drafts have the Titans addressing one of the spots on that side of the ball. Typically, we see a tackle or guard on the offensive line or a wide receiver. Mel Kiper, long-time draft guru from ESPN, threw a curve ball for the Titans in his latest mock draft.
Mel Kiper has the Titans selecting Tyree Wilson, the edge defender out of Texas Tech. While the Titans could use a young edge rusher and Wilson is talented, it would be hard for fans to be satisfied if the Titans do go defense that early in the draft. Here is what Kiper had to say about the Titans’ situation.
“Tennessee has used free agency to bring in Andre Dillard to play left tackle and Daniel Brunskill to compete for one of the guard positions, which means offensive line is less of a need now. And with Johnson and Skoronski off the board in this scenario, the Titans don't have to force a lineman here. That's why I'm in favor of them going after a high-ceiling edge rusher.”
First, I disagree with the premise that offensive line is less of a need now because of the free agent signings. The Titans essentially committed to one year with both the players he mentioned, Brunskill and Dillard, so using their deals as reasoning to go away from offensive line is not reasoning I share. However, with Johnson and Skoronski not available, it is possible the Titans look elsewhere instead of a tackle like Broderick Jones from Georgia or Darnell Wright from Tennessee.
Wilson is a heck of a prospect though and while some may think the Titans are fine on the edge with Harold Landry, Rashad Weaver and newly signed Arden Key, I could see why the Titans’ brass thinks they need another rusher. You can never have too many and Weaver and Key profile as role players more than foundational pieces. Kiper talked about Wilson as a prospect as well.
“Wilson, who is recovering from a broken foot that meant he couldn't work out at the combine, has elite talent in a 6-foot-6, 271-pound frame. He had 14 sacks over the past two seasons for the Red Raiders, showing excellent burst off the line of scrimmage. For a Tennessee team that just cut Bud Dupree and ranked 27th in percentage of sacks per dropback (5.3%) last season, he'd be an ideal fit. I'm not as high on Wilson's tape as other people in the league I trust -- he's too inconsistent -- but his flashes of brilliance as a pass-rusher make him intriguing.”
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