NASHVILLE – When ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay went on the clock at No.19 with the Titans, he thought of quarterback Marcus Mariota, and the team's running game.
And he gave them N.C. State center Garrett Bradbury in his most recent mock draft, which was released on Wednesday morning.
On a conference call today, Titans Online asked McShay about his thought process, and what else could be in play for the Titans in the first round of the NFL Draft next month in Nashville.
"They were a tough one," McShay said of the Titans. "Bradbury, to me, is clearly the best interior offensive lineman in this class. And you look at it, I just think if you can get a player of his quality there, and know that you have a plug-and-play starter for the next eight, nine, 10 years, you have to feel pretty good about it.
"Plus, the fact you want to protect your quarterback. And you have to be able to continue to run the football, and you have to continue to try and upgrade that offensive line in order to keep Marcus upright and take away from the amount of hits that he's taken."
McShay said he considered a tight end for the Titans at No. 19, as well as wide receiver.
"Delanie Walker is 34 and was injured last season," McShay said. "But he can still play. (Iowa's) T.J. Hockenson was gone at that point (No. 12 to Green Bay), but (Iowa tight end) Noah Fant would be a possibility.
"Wide receiver would be another possibility. I had (Ole Miss receiver) D.K. Metcalf coming off the board earlier (No. 9 to Buffalo), and same with Marquise Brown from Oklahoma (No.15 to Redskins), so they were gone (before the Titans picked) as well."
And that's why McShay ended up going with Bradbury for the Titans.
Here's what McShay said about the Titans in his Mock Draft 3.0 on espn.com:
19. Tennessee Titans
Garrett Bradbury, C, NC State
I think Bradbury is the best, most NFL-ready interior offensive lineman in the class. Ben Jones has played guard before, so the Titans could move him over and slide Bradbury in at center to drastically improve this unit. He has some athleticism and power in the middle.
As a senior, the 6-foot-3, 306-pound Bradbury was the full-time starter won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's top center and received first-team All-ACC and Associated Press All-American honors.
Here's what else McShay said on today's conference call:
"When I look at the Titans, and I wrote it in the blurb, Ben Jones is obviously playing at a pretty high level at center but he has played at guard, and started at guard as well, so they could move him over. And if it wasn't Bradbury I think wide receiver would be a possibility. They need another edge rusher. Offensive guard, any of the guys in the first round would make some kind of sense, but I just think (Bradbury) fits what they want to do. And tight end as I mentioned as well."
McShay had the Titans taking Hockenson at No. 19 on his Mock Draft 2.0.
In McShay's Mock Draft 3.0, he has the Cardinals taking Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray with the No.1 pick, and the 49ers taking Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa with the No.2 pick. McShay has Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams going No.3 to the Jets.
TitansOnline.com looks back at some of the team's #1 draft picks over the years. (AP Photos)
Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, presents Alabama's Rashaan Evans with his Tennessee Titans jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans is introduced by Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson, left, head coach Mike Vrabel, right, at a news conference Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, center, speaks at a news conference as general manager Jon Robinson, left, and head coach Mike Vrabel listen Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, left, laughs with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel at a news conference Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
FILE - In this Friday, April 27, 2018 file photo, Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans speaks at a news conference in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Tennessee Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. The Titans have agreed to terms on a deal with their first-round draft pick LB Rashaan Evans, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, right, speaks at a news conference as Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson listens Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans poses with his jersey on stage after being selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Alabama's Rashaan Evans poses with his Tennessee Titans jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans on stage after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts via AP)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans on stage after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, greets Alabama's Rashaan Evans after he was selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans on stage after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans walks on stage after being selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans in the green room during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans in the green room during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Commissioner Roger Goodell presents Alabama's Rashaan Evans with his Tennessee Titans team jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
