Top 6 Draft Targets for Tennessee Titans in 2013 NFL Draft

Nov 26, 2011; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive end Dion Jordan (96) against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Z. Rider-USA TODAY Sports

Who will the Tennessee Titans draft with the No. 10 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft? With less than 36 hours before their pick is due, the Titans’ draft plans haven’t become any less of a mystery than they were one month ago. In fact, they’ve become murkier when one considers the rumors about the team considering D.J. Fluker at No. 10.

Excluding trade scenarios, the Titans will have the entire draft board to choose from—minus nine players. This team could use almost any of the projected top 10 players. It’s just a matter of finding the player who’ll flourish in Dowell Loggains’ or Jerry Gray’s system.

Let’s run through the process of elimination. There are four players who are all-but-guaranteed as top 9 picks. These include three offensive tackles (Luke Joeckel, Eric Fisher, Lane Johnson) and a quarterback (Geno Smith). Even if one of these players dropped, the Titans aren’t drafting a project quarterback or an offensive tackle—not unless they believe someone is a short-term fix at offensive guard.

For the Titans, the best case scenario is that these four players are taken before their pick. That leaves five other teams who would pick before them. This allows them to focus on their top-six draft targets. Even if the Titans don’t get their No. 1 target, they’d still get a quality player who most fans would support.

Names are listed in alphabetical order (last name).

Top 6 Draft Targets
Jonathan Cooper, OG, North Carolina
Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida
Dion Jordan, DE/LB, Oregon
Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah
Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama
Chance Warmack, OG, Alabama

Honorable Mentions
Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah, DE, BYU
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Desmond Trufant, CB, Washington
Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas

Summary
At least one of those targets should fall to the Titans. If any of the honorable mentions are taken in the top 10, then the Titans could have their choice on multiple players. It all depends on whether this team focuses on best player available, position of need, or a combination of the two philosophies.

Would the Titans pass on Warmack or Cooper? If Floyd, Lotulelei or Jordan were available—management would have an interesting decision to make.

The 2013 NFL Draft starts on Apr. 25 at 7:00 p.m. CT.