2015 NFL Mock Draft: The Tennessee Titans Need Mariota
By Les Bailey
Like most 2015 NFL Mock Drafts around the internet, the FanSided post free agency offering by Ryan Lehrman continues to have the Tennessee Titans drafting Leonard Williams out of the University of Southern California with the second pick. While this agrees with what most of the fan base wants, I’m not convinced it is in the best interest of the team.
I do agree that the 6-5, 300 pound defensive tackle is the best player in the draft, and that he could be the last piece in a free agency effort to shore up a defense that was horrible last year.
The Titans were 31st in rushing yards allowed, and 27th in total yards allowed during the 2014 season.
Williams obviously fits the criteria for a first round draft pick, in that he is a franchise player who should start day one, the problem I have, is it’s a very conservative pick, and lacks the excitement that this team, and it’s fans need to bring some excitement to LP Field on Sunday afternoons this fall.
Teams need a great defense to challenge for a Super Bowl berth, but they also need a star, franchise quarterback to win the Super Bowl.
And that’s where I have a problem with drafting Leonard Williams with the second pick this year.
We don’t know for sure at this point, if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take Jameis Winston with the first pick, but whether they do, or don’t, there will be a franchise-changing quarterback remaining when the Titans make their selection. I think they need to pull the trigger on that pick.
Here’s my point.
Since rookies are signed at minimums, unlike when the Rams broke the bank for Sam Bradford in 2010, why not pick Marcus Mariota here, assuming he’s the one left?
If Zach Mettenberger is indeed, a franchise guy, he will beat out Mariota, and if Mariota is the franchise guy, you have him. The Titans won’t be in this position, picking second again next year, and looking for the next franchise quarterback again.
I find the article at Music City Miracles(An SB Nation site) by trevor2013 very compelling.
"I have no doubt in my mind that the Titans really do like Zach Mettenberger. Ken Whisenhunt, Ruston Webster, and Tommy Smith have all said so. By all accounts, Mettenberger and Whisenhunt have a good relationship. He also showed flashes on a team in which he had absolutely nothing around him. This should help with their decision to take Mariota. Ruston Webster also said at the combine that “You draft a guy in first round and people want to see him play. He may not be ready to play and they may not be ready to play around them.” If this is the case with Mariota, they can easily sit him and give him time to develop. By liking Zach Mettenberger it is easy to go with him to start the season, if the team thinks that it is necessary."
Sacking the quarterback is fun, especially when it results in getting the ball back for a first, and ten, but if you have no offense to do something with the football, the whole thing becomes moot, at best.
Imagine actually having an offense that can take the rock, after getting a stop on D, and putting it in the end zone for six points. I like that even better.
If Marcus Mariota can push Zach Mettenberger to make this happen, or if he has to do it himself, who cares, as long as it gets done.
If it doesn’t get done in 2015, there is a strong possibility, Ruston Webster, and Ken Whisenhunt will not be here to clean up the mess in 2016.
With the second pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans select “insert name here“!
Next: 2015 NFL Mock Draft: Post Free Agency Edition