NASHVILLE – When NFL analyst Charles Davis looks at the Titans, he sees needs on defense, and plenty of possibilities in the NFL Draft.
And he thinks there's a nice scenario that could unfold on the first day of the draft.
Davis admits, however, several receivers intrigue him.
"When I look back and realize how few sacks they had, and the trouble they had getting off the field on third down, they need to help the defense," Davis said of the Titans. "And I think things could actually play in their favor. Because I think a good number of offensive guys, the run on them will start earlier. And if that's the case, there should be a decent number of defensive guys at every level the Titans could probably take a look at."
The Titans are scheduled to pick 22nd overall in the first round of the draft.
The team is currently scheduled to make nine picks, including four in the first 100.
Davis, in his first mock, tabbed Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley going to the Titans at 22. He's since changed his pick in favor of an offensive player, but he's not ruling out the defensive back in the 20s. In fact, in his updated mock on Wednesday, Davis has Farley going to the Jets at 23.
"I think it would be a home-run hit, and the reason he is there is because of the back (injury)," Davis said of Farley. "If there is no back surgery, I think he is already gone. He may even be the first corner off the board. I know there's a lot about (Patrick) Surtain and Farley, and that is kind of where we started this process. But the back injury has jumped (Jaycee) Horn and the rest of these guys… If (Farley) somehow gets down to 22, and the Titans, with a history of having some patience with big-time players, witness Jeffery Simmons, that makes sense to me. And I don't think you'll to wait as long with him. To get an elite guy at 22, who could easily be a top 10 pick, would be great for (the Titans)."
Davis says corners are more plentiful than safeties, in this year's class.
If the Titans elect to go with an edge rusher early, he thinks Georgia's Azeez Ojulari could be a nice fit.
"Or do you draft (linebacker) Zaven Collins from Tulsa if he is still available, and you turn him more into and edge guy?," Davis wondered.
Despite a potential need on the offensive line, Davis thinks the Titans should wait.
As for receiver, well, he's intrigued with plenty of them.
But when? And which one?
Davis ultimately went with Ole Miss receiver Elijah Moore for the Titans in his final mock draft. Moore's stock appears to be rising.
While picking Moore on Wednesday, Davis wrote this: Ascending star wideout A.J. Brown gets his former college teammate to help make defenses pay for stacking the line against monster RB Derrick Henry.
Davis told TennesseeTitans.com plenty of wideouts could be a nice fit in Tennessee.
"I think there's always wide receivers available, and they don't necessarily have to be the first one out of the gate," Davis said. "Last year all we talked about was: Who would you take first? CeeDee Lamn, Jerry Jeudy or Henry Ruggs? And the steal of the first round was Justin Jefferson. … And it seems similar this year, with the three-receiver thing again --- Ja'Marr Chase, DeVonte Smith and Jaylen Waddle. We'll there's still other guys that are there that could be second rounder and be like A.J. Brown.
"To me, Rondale Moore (from Purdue) is a really intriguing slot guy. I know you can get him second down, and you maybe can get him third round. Elijah Moore (from Ole Miss) makes a ton of sense, but I don't think he get that far down in the second round. Same for Terrace Marshall from LSU… If Tennessee has a guy in mind, would a Rashod Bateman (from Minnesota) appeal to them? He's a big guy on the perimeter who could work out of the slot as well. I think he's a tremendous player… And we know Jon (Robinson) is not averse to making a move to get up there.
"When I look at the Titans, if they could improve in a couple of areas, it would mean a lot to this franchise."
