NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Introducing a new series from Titans Online — 10 players for the number two overall pick. Over the course of the 11-day series, we'll provide in-depth breakdowns of players who the Titans might land in the first-round of the NFL Draft on April 30.
To help us throughout is Bleacher Report's lead draft analyst Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout), who was kind enough to offer his analysis of each player we'll cover.
We'll start with honorable mentions before getting into the top 10 players in the days to come. The players chosen are the 13 players that are most commonly found at the top of most draft boards around the web.
Enough with the ground rules, let's dive in.
Vic Beasley, DE (Clemson)
Overview:
Beasley had a monster four-year career at Clemson, racking up 101 tackles, 52.5 tackles for loss, 33 sacks (12 as a senior), seven forced fumbles and two touchdowns. He was a top three finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the top defensive player in the nation determined by the Maxwell Football Club.
The linebacker was a two-time, first- team All-American and two-time, first-team All-ACC selection.
Strengths: Ready for the Titans 3-4 Defense
Miller: "With Beasely, he's obviously an explosive athlete off the line of scrimmage. He's produced very well while at Clemson. He fits perfectly as a 3-4 pass rusher. You'll want him standing up. He has great flexibility and agility and can be a pretty dangerous guy."
Needs to Show: Time to Beef Up
Miller: "With his size and weight, he's listed at around 235 pounds, I'd bet he's closer to 225 pounds. He's a guy who is going to have to bulk up. He's pretty light as of right now."
NFL Comparison: Bruce Irvin (Seahawks) or Barkevious Mingo (Browns)
Miller: "Those are guys who came in as situational pass rushers, but Irvin has developed into more of a full-time player."
Shane Ray, DE/OLB (Missouri)
Overview:
Missouri's stud pass rusher racked up 65 tackles, 22.5 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks as a junior on his way to first-team All-SEC honors from both the AP and SEC coaches. The 14.5 sacks set a new single season school record, previously owned by both Michael Sam and Aldon Smith (11.5). Ray also added the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award and a consensus All-American selection to his college trophy case in 2014.
Strengths: Elite First Step
Miller: "Ray fits well into a 3-4. He's 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, so he's not the biggest guy, but he's an explosive athlete. I think Shane Ray's best attribute is that first-step quickness. He has agile hips and feet. He'll learn to use his hands a bit better, but he has all the length that you could want."
Needs to Show: Is Ray a Three-Down Player?
Miller: "I'd like to see Ray get a bit stronger as well as show the ability to set the edge and play against the run."
NFL Comparison: Cameron Wake (Dolphins)
Miller: "He has a mean little shoulder dip that reminds me of Cameron Wake. He beats guys with agility and his first step. He's so slippery and hard to get your hands on.
Andrus Peat, OT (Stanford)
Overview:
Peat opted to forgo his senior season at Stanford and enter the 2015 NFL Draft and could very well be the first offensive tackle taken when it's all said and done. The Chandler, Ariz. Native was named first-team All-American by Sporting News and SI.com. He also received second team All-American honors from Walter camp, AP and CBS Sports.
The five-star prospect coming out of high school was named first-team All-Pac 12 in 2014.
Strengths: Eclipsing Size
Miller: "The strength for Andrus Peat is that he's an enormous human being. He's 6-foot-7, but very lean with great long arms and big hands. His hand placement is very good. He's able to track off the ball and meet guys at the corner. In terms of athleticism and strength, he could end up being the best tackle in this year's draft."
With the Titans waiving Michael Oher on Thursday, the team will be in the market for a new right tackle.
Peat spent his entire college career on the left side. With Taylor Lewan being locked in at left tackle, Miller said that Peat would have no problem moving to the other side to right tackle.
Miller: "If the Titans go tackle early it would obviously be for the right side and Peat can definitely do that."
Needs to Show: Ability to Keep Up With Speed
Miller: "If you watch the Utah game, he really struggled with Nate Orchard. I think he struggles a bit with speed guys, but he's very powerful. His biggest strength might be his upside. He's just a junior so he's still figuring things out a little."
NFL Comparison: Duane Brown (Texans)
Miller: "There's similar athleticism and length here. Peat is a little bigger than Brown, but they're a similar type of athlete."
