Who Do the Tennessee Titans Draft?

With the franchise tag period having passed we have a slightly better picture of what the Tennessee Titans will be looking like headed into the 2012 season.

Michael Griffin got slapped with the franchise tag while news of the Titans splitting with veteran CB Finnegan became news once again.

It would seem that the Titans would no longer be looking at Mark Barron with the 20th pick of the 2012 NFL Draft… Or would it? Yes the Titans have Michael Griffin back under contract and seem to be ready to sign Babineaux as soon as free agency starts, but Griffin is back on a one year deal and the position still isn’t overwhelmingly impressive.

Depending on how free agency and the picks leading up to the Titans work out, the Titans could be looking at drafting by the BPA philosophy. If Barron is available at 20, it’d be hard to disagree with him being one of the BPA’s. It also hinges on how the Titans’ front office has players ranked. If they have a DE that they like better than most of the other DE’s and it looks like they could grab him in the second round with relative easy, why not?

The Titans defense needs to improve greatly from what they were this last year and I think you can expect to see that mindset through this draft.

Another play of interest, and great debate, is Illinois DE Whitney Mercilus.

Some people have pegged Mercilus as the next Jason Pierre-Paul while others have labeled him a one-year wonder who resembles Aaron Maybin, formerly of the Buffalo Bills. He had a great showing at the combine and it sounds as if his pro-day went well, too. He’s certainly an interesting prospect, especially after a terrific season at Illinois in which he recorded 16 sacks and nine forced fumbles.

Whoever it may be, expect the Titans to lean towards defense with their first pick.

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