Jan 26, 2013; Mobile, AL, USA; Senior Bowl south squad defensive lineman Ezekial Ansah of Brigham Young (47) tackles Senior Bowl north squad wide receiver Denard Robinson of Michigan (16) during the first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 NFL Draft is only days away, and Tennessee Titans fans everywhere are still scratching their heads in anticipation of the 10^th overall pick. The only consensus among pundits has been that the front office will draft a player to solidify the offensive line, most likely in the 1^st or 2^nd round. Guards Chance Warmack, Jonathan Cooper, and Larry Warford have been the most highly discussed options, but Titan Sized colleague Josh Gunnels may be on to something in his recent article about Eugene Amano: http://titansized.com/2013/04/22/tennessee-titans-dont-forget-about-eugene-amano/.

Josh highlighted a great point: ”The general public feels the urgency at the position (guard) more than the coaching staff.” The Titans organization has always been patient when drafting and cultivating talent on the offensive line. They have never drafted an offensive lineman higher than Michael Roos at 41^st overall in 2005, and this year’s draft may be no exception.

So if the front office is not targeting a Guard with the 1^st round pick, where are they directing their interest? After last season, it’s evident that the defense needs improvement. The most likely positions are DE, CB, and Safety, but there are only a few prospects this year that present top-10 talent at any of those positions. CB Dee Milliner is largely viewed as a top-10 talent, but he does not have the playmaking skills that last year’s top-rated CB Morris Claiborne possessed. DE/OLB Dion Jordan is also highly regarded, but he will most likely be off the board before the Titans pick.

Feb 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Brigham Young Cougars defensive lineman Ziggy Ansah runs the 40 yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

There is another intriguing, albeit inexperienced, prospect that the front office could be targeting: BYU DE Ezekiel “Ziggy” Ansah. A native of Accra, Ghana, Ansah had no exposure to American football as a youth. He joined the BYU football team in 2010, after previously trying out for the basketball and track teams. He only played sparingly for his sophomore and junior seasons, but in 2012 Ansah got his chance to start.

Entering the 2012 season, Ansah bulked up to 270 pounds to play DE and OLB. During the 4^th game of the season, starting Nose Guard Eathyn Manumaleuna suffered a knee injury, opening the door for Ansah. For the remaining nine games, Ansah was predominantly utilized as an interior defensive lineman. It was not until the Senior Bowl that he was truly utilized as an outside pass rusher, lining up in a wide-nine scheme. He completely dominated the game, drawing surprise and attention from all NFL scouts in attendance.

Ziggy also shined in the 1-on-1 position drills during the week, displaying that he had significantly improved during his one season as a starter. He then impressed everyone at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, posting ridiculous measurables. For a comparison to a recent and similar prospect, here are his Combine numbers next to JPP’s:

Ziggy (6’5”, 271 lbs) is also nearly the exact same size as JPP (6’5”, 278 lbs); however, the similarities run well beyond size and athletic measurables. JPP was a late bloomer in football just like Ziggy. Born to Haitian immigrants, JPP only began playing American football his junior year of high school. JPP played his first two seasons of college football at small schools, and then transferred to the University of South Florida in 2009. During his junior season, JPP posted eerily similar statistics to those of Ziggy Ansah’s senior season:

* TFL = Tackles For Loss; Pass Defs = Pass Deflections; FF = Forced Fumbles

Conclusion: Ezekiel Ansah has gone from a largely unknown prospect to a possible top-5 selection in the draft. Scouts are concerned about his lack of experience and overall passion for the game, and rightfully so. There just isn’t enough evidence to confidently predict that he will develop into an All-Pro DE, but there wasn’t absolute conviction regarding JPP either. The Giants saw a player with unlimited potential and plenty of room to grow, literally and as a player.

I still believe that the Titans were targeting JPP instead of Derrick Morgan in 2010. Not to say that they weren’t high on Morgan, but JPP presented the tremendous upside that the Titans covet. GM Ruston Webster has been adamant about adding playmakers in the 1^st round, and Ziggy has the potential to become one of the dominant DEs in the league. He will undoubtedly be a project, but “with great risk comes great reward.”

You can follow me on Twitter @dfleming22

David Fleming

Feb 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; California wide receiver Keenan Allen speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 NFL Draft may have just changed for the Tennessee Titans and the AFC South. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported today that Cal WR Keenan Allen was red-flagged for a drug test while at the NFL Combine. An unnamed league source said that Allen had “suspiciously high levels of water in his system.” According to the NFL, he was then administered another drug test this month, the results of which are still unknown.

So what does all this really mean for Allen? The “suspiciously high levels of water” may indicate to NFL drug testers that Allen was attempting to dilute his urine sample. It would not be the first or last time a person has tried to thwart a drug test in this manner, but it hardly seems like conclusive evidence to vilify the talented Cal WR, especially considering that he’s never had any issues in college.

Oct 22, 2011; San Francisco CA, USA; California Golden Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen (21) leaps over Utah Utes defensive back Mo Lee (5) during the second quarter at AT

He could have been trying to remain hydrated during the rehab process of his knee, or he could have been trying to maximize his weight at the Combine (he’s pretty lean). I concede that neither of these two possibilities is likely, but the point is that the “evidence” against him seems to be even thinner than his frame.

But the damage may already be done. Having any sort of red flags can compel NFL teams to more critically scrutinize a prospect. Allen’s offseason has already been tough. He hurt his knee against Utah in 2012, and he subsequently missed the last three games of the season. He then reinjured the same knee in January while rehabbing, causing him to miss another 3-4 weeks of football-related drills. He was not able to participate at the Combine, and at his Pro Day last week he ran a disappointing 4.71 40-yard dash.

Allen was once in the discussion as the top WR prospect in this year’s draft class. NFL guru Mike Mayock still rates him as the #3 prospect, but many NFL teams may be devaluing him based on medical and drug test concerns. Allen had largely been linked in mock drafts to the Texans in the 1^st round, but there’s now a strong possibility that he falls into the 2^nd. Prospects Tavon Austin, Cordarrelle Patterson, DeAndre Hopkins, Robert Woods, Justin Hunter, Quinton Patton, and Terrance Williams could all be drafted before Allen, making him the 8^th WR taken.

There are several reasons why the Titans should consider Allen if he continues to fall on draft day. He has only been back to football activities for a month now, and his knee is responding excellently to rehab. His recent Pro Day shows that he still has acceleration and burst to gain, but he’s not a speed receiver to begin with. His style is similar to Anquan Boldin, who also ran exactly 4.71. He’s a smooth receiver with excellent route-running skills, and he excels at catching the ball at its highest point. He will continue to gain strength and explosion, and the failed drug test may turn out to be nothing.

I don’t see Allen slipping past the 2^nd round, but he could fall far enough to prompt the Titans to trade back into the 2^nd. He never had any off-the-field issues at Cal, so this drug test may just be an aberration. With his size and catching radius, he could be the Kenny Britt insurance policy that so many Titans fans have been discussing.

You can follow me on Twitter @dfleming22

David Fleming

October 8, 2011; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (7) against the Florida Gators during the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Here at Titan Sized, we strive to bring the most up-to-date and in-depth information to dedicated Tennessee Titans fans. One of our newest features is the Fan Mailbag, where we encourage our readers to reach out with specific questions and interests. We received several intriguing responses, but for today, we will focus on one topic in particular. Titans fan Bennie Guardado proposes several compelling inquiries regarding former LSU prospect Tyrann Mathieu. In our pre-draft articles, we briefly touched on Mathieu in the cornerback edition: http://titansized.com/2013/03/30/tennessee-titans-2013-nfl-draft-top-5-cornerbacks/. But we certainly didn’t address all of your questions, so let’s take a more comprehensive look.

1.   Do you think the Titans have interest in him?

Yes, I think the Titans have interest in Mathieu. Even though many will compare him to Adam “Pacman” Jones, their off-the-field issues are quite different. Mathieu has struggled with substance abuse over the last few years, resulting in a one game suspension in 2011 and eventual dismissal from the LSU football team in 2012. He has since entered a treatment program, expressing contrition for his previous offenses and hoping to repair not only his football career, but also his life.

Pacman was quite another story. He has had several, and I mean several, violent brushes with the law. His various assault charges portray a disturbed and out of control individual, vastly different than Mathieu. For this reason, I believe the comparisons are unfair, aside from their similar stature and playmaking ability. The Titans relished Pacman’s ability to return punts, and Mathieu has that in spades. He will also be on a short leash wherever he is drafted, so he should be on his best behavior. His versatility to play safety or nickel corner will also make him more attractive, and I definitely believe the Titans will keep an eye on him come draft day.

2.   If so, in what round do you think the Titans look to draft him?

If the Titans do in fact have significant interest in Mathieu, then I would bet they’re targeting him in the 3^rd or 4^th round. His athleticism and college production could have made him a 1^st rounder, but the red flags and lack of ideal size will diminish his draft stock. The Titans could possibly consider him in the 2^nd round, but I doubt they would take him with the 40^th overall pick.

3.   Will he play at the high level he displayed during his sophomore year?

Feb 26, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Louisiana State defensive back Tyrann Mathieu catches a pass during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Personally, I believe that he will return to his high level of play that he displayed during his sophomore season. In 2011 Mathieu was an absolute beast, as evidenced by his Chuck Bednarik Award, SEC Championship Game MVP, and SEC Defensive Player of the Year Award. He was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, as a sophomore no less. He’s a tenacious tackler with a nose for the football, and he should excel as a nickel corner at the NFL level.

Mathieu advertised his athleticism and ball-hawking ability at the combine. He ran a decent 4.50 40-yard dash, but more importantly, he looked incredibly fluid and comfortable in the position drills. He constantly attacks the ball at the highest point, and he demonstrated soft hands while maneuvering through the drills with ease. He has excellent, not good, change of direction, making him an ideal fit to play inside in a nickel package. Skeptics point out his lack of strength (4 reps on the bench press), but he has all the functional strength and leverage to take down much bigger ball carriers.

4.   Has he really changed, and will he stay out of trouble in the NFL?

January 6, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Tyrann Mathieu (7) talks during media day for the 2012 BCS National Championship game to be played on January 9, 2012 against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

This is a question that only Tyrann can answer, but I do believe that everyone deserves a 2^nd chance. He made some mistakes as a young man (he’s only 20 years old!), but he appears to be heading in the right direction. On August 17, 2012 he entered a drug rehabilitation program in Houston, and he seemed truly remorseful during his interviews at the NFL Combine. Deion Sanders asked him point blank, “When was the last time you smoked (marijuana)?” Mathieu promptly responded, “October 25, the day I was arrested.”

The NFL does a good job of surrounding young men with positive role models, and perhaps that was the missing ingredient. Mathieu has distanced himself from the popular nickname “Honey Badger,” claiming that it created a split personality of sorts. He got caught up in the glamour and glitz of being a high profile athlete on a campus that worships football, and he has paid dearly for his mistakes. I wouldn’t bet against Mathieu, because now he has everything to prove and everything to lose.

5.   What is the highest round he could possibly be drafted, and to whom?

The 2^nd round is probably the highest Mathieu could be drafted. I think every NFL team recognizes the concerns that come with drafting him, creating a consensus valuation on draft day. I can see a team like the Patriots making the reach to nab him in the 2^nd, as they’ve never been shy to gamble on a talented player with red flags. I think that would be an ideal fit for Mathieu because Belichick doesn’t take any flack from any player. Two more teams that could be a possible fit are the Bengals and Jets, both of which have taken chances on troubled players in the past. Oh, and never count out the Raiders to do something crazy.

6.   What is the lowest round he could fall to?

I don’t see Mathieu lasting past the 4^th round. He presents too much upside and playmaking ability to fall past that. During the draft, there are instances called “runs” when several teams start drafting players of the same position. If a run on cornerbacks happens late in the 1^st or sometime in the 2^nd round, it will move Mathieu up the board. He made a few stupid mistakes as a college student, but who hasn’t?

Conclusion: Mathieu continues to intrigue during this prolonged and extensive draft process. All his dirty laundry has been aired, and he appears to be sincerely remorseful for how he finished his career at LSU. In my previous article about the top-5 cornerbacks, I doubted the Titans as a possible suitor. However, if the price is right, I think most NFL teams would take a chance on the talented Tyrann. I hope this helps to shed some light on your questions Bennie, and thanks for being such a dedicated and loyal Titans fan!

You can follow me on Twitter @dfleming22

David Fleming