Tennessee Titans 2013 NFL Mock Draft: Back To Reality Edition

Nov 25, 2011; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Kent State Golden Flashers offensive lineman Brian Winters (66) along the sidelines during the second quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. Temple defeated Kent State 34-16. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Time to get back to regular mock drafting.

On Apr. 25, the Tennessee Titans will decide what to do with the No. 10 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. This team needs a Week 1 starter or someone who can fulfill a significant role (e.g. nickelback, slot receiver). Head coach Mike Munchak doesn’t have time to wait on a developmental project or someone who could start the season on the physically unable to perform list. He needs immediate production to save his job.

What do the Titans covet? According to Music City Miracles as of Apr. 12, the Titans had hosted 21 potential prospects. Most of these players were projected as first and second-round picks. That list includes seven defensive backs, six offensive linemen, five defensive linemen, two linebackers and a wide receiver.

Let’s see how that affects the mock board.

Mar. 18: Pre-Compensatory
Mar. 25: Compensatory 1
Apr. 1: All Offense
Apr. 8: All Defense
Apr. 15: Back To Reality (Compensatory 2)
Apr. 22-24: Final Exams

Round 1 (Pick 10): Chance Warmack, OG, University of Alabama
I’m on the Chance Warmack bandwagon. Be warned though: I may try to jump off it if Sharrif Floyd drops to No. 10.

Backup Plans: OG Jonathan Cooper,  DL Sheldon Richardson,  S Kenny Vaccaro, CB Desmond Trufant

Round 2 (Pick 40): Datone Jones, DE, UCLA
There’s a decent chance that the Titans trade out of this pick. But for this mock draft, we’ll stay put.

If the Titans use their first pick on an offensive player, I think they’ll use their second pick on a defensive player. If they don’t draft Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper at No. 10, then G/T Brian Winters becomes a strong possibility at No. 40. Don’t expect Larry Warford to make it that far.

It’s hard to say which one of these backup plans—or even Datone Jones—will reach No. 40. The 6-4 and 283-pound versatile defensive lineman would add bulk behind Kamerion Wimbley.

Backup Plans: G/T Brian Winters, LB Kevin Minter, WR Quinton Patton, S Eric Reid, DE Alex Okafor, CB Robert Alford

Round 3 (Pick 70): Kiko Alonso, LB, University of Oregon
How much can the Titans rely on the oft-injured Colin McCarthy? They need some more insurance behind him. Moise Fokou isn’t enough

Backup Plans:  CB Leon McFadden, WR Ryan Swope

Round 3 (Pick 97, Compensatory): Ryan Swope, WR, Texas A&M University
Since 2009, the Titans have spent a first-round pick on a wide receiver in two of the last four drafts. While management doesn’t appear content with Nate Washington, a slot receiver shouldn’t top their list of needs. A mid-round selection should suffice.

Backup Plans: LB Jon Bostic, DB Khalid Wooten, DB Sanders Commings, CB Tyrann Mathieu

Round 4 (Pick 107): Khalid Wooten, DB, University of Nevada
Of the first 21 players who were hosted, four of them were safeties who are projected to go before or around No. 40.

Maybe the Titans are just doing their homework because they already signed two free agents (Bernard Pollard, George Wilson). But if defensive coordinator Jerry Gray wants to run his “Ruby” defense (3-2-6 alignment with three safeties), he could use more depth behind them. That could make tweener defensive backs (e.g. Sanders Commings, Khalid Wooton) more valuable to them.

Round 5 (Pick 142): Zac Stacy, RB, Vanderbilt University
Will Zac Stacy make it this far? If he does, Stacy would almost certainly beat Jamie Harper for the No. 3 job. As a bonus, this would appease Vanderbilt locals.

Round 6 (Pick 202, Compensatory): Alex Hurst, OT, LSU
Thinking ahead, David Stewart and Michael Roos are both on the wrong side of 30. Some projects include Alex Hurst, Elvis Fisher, Tanner Hawkinson and definitely Oday Aboushi if he continues to fall.

Round 7 (Pick 216): Defensive End (Name Intentionally Left Blank)
Scott Solomon (2012), Zach Clayton (2011), David Howard (2010) were all defensive linemen who were taken with seventh-round picks. You know who would like that trend? Titan Sized colleague David Fleming. Fleming wrote a piece about a late-round prospect, Lawrence Okoye. Here it is.

Regardless of who the Tennessee Titans covet, they need more competition for Keyunta Dawson and Solomon.

Round 7 (Pick 248, Compensatory): Mike Taylor, OLB, University of Wisconsin
At 6-1 and 234 pounds, Mike Taylor is an undersized linebacker who was a very productive college player. Taylor finished his last two seasons with 150 and 123 tackles, respectively. He’s worth a look at training camp.