November 3, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Matt Elam (22) during the first quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

In preparation for the 2013 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans have been bringing in a few draft prospects for visits, amongst other players. Here are some of the safeties they’ve met/will meet with thus far, courtesy of Jim Wyatt:

•  Matt Elam, Florida
• Kenny Vacarro, Texas
• J.J. Wilcox, Georgia Southern

The Titans have also met with the following prospects:

• OL Jonathan Cooper, South Carolina
• DE/OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU
• DT Sharrif Floyd, Florida

They’re keeping their options open, obviously. They still have 16 days until the 2013 NFL Draft but I’m sure that they’re aren’t wasting any of it. The first few rounds of drafting could be key for the Titans this year as they look to break into the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

Mock drafts have the Titans taking a variety of different players with their first pick, including WR Cordarrelle Patterson, OL Chance Warmack, OL Jonathan Cooper, S Kenny Vacarro, and DE Ezekiel Ansah.

As you can tell from the lists above, safety and defensive line are two spots that they could be looking to bolster in the draft and are widely expected to address.

Our our writer David Fleming has been looking at some of the top prospects at each position as the draft approaches. Browse through some of his articles to get to know some of the players that could be future Titans.

You can also take a look at our recent 2-round mock draft a few of us put together. Things got a little crazy, but it’s something to help numb the brain until the draft arrives.

I know I’ll probably be beating my head against a wall until the Titans pick is called…

You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart

Sep 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Dante Rosario (88) catches a touchdown pass while defended by Tennessee Titans strong safety Robert Johnson (32) during the first quarter at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans defense was weakest at the safety position during the 2012 season with poor performances from everyone and absolutely no depth. Quarterbacks regularly beat the Titans with the deep ball and missed tackles plagued their play. Here are grades for each of the safeties who saw playing time.

Michael Griffin

16 games played, 78 tackles, 4 interceptions, 4 pass deflections, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles

Griffin was an easy scapegoat, having had a few rough seasons before this one. He wasn’t helped any by the fact that he was being thrown back and forth between the FS and SS positions. I still have faith in Griffin as a great safety, but this year is one he’ll want to forget. QB’s couldn’t miss throwing at him – literally. During the first half of the season QB’s had an almost perfect stat line throwing at him. He pulled it together late in the season, collecting 2 interceptions against the hapless Mark Sanchez and one against Chad Henne in the season finale.

Griff finished on a better note, but he has to be much better in 2013. I think he will be with whatever new safety is playing next to him.

GRADE: D+

Robert Johnson

12 games played, 19 tackles, 1 interceptions, 1 pass deflections, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles

Johnson saw his playing time drop dramatically as the season progressed, having been a starter in the first few games. His poor play led to Jordan Babineaux replacing him. Missed tackles, poor angles, and overall ugly play followed Johnson everywhere he went. He appeared to be everything I thought he was when the Titans drafted him. Johnson finished the season on IR.

Johnson has a long way to go if he wants to stay in the NFL.

GRADE: F

Jordan Babineaux

16 games played, 95 tackles, 1 interceptions, 6 pass deflections, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles

Babineaux found himself behind Robert Johnson for the first few games of the season, which surprised everyone, considering the good job he did in 2011. In 2012 he was often out of place and struggling in coverage. It was a disappointing year for the veteran who got a 3-year extension during the offseason last year. Now he looks to be a backup at best as the Titans search for a starter this offseason.

GRADE: F+

Al Afalava

12 games played, 16 tackles, 1 interceptions, 1 pass deflections, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles

Afalava joined the Titans as a free agent prior to the season starting. He wasn’t much more than a depth signing. That made it all the more easier not to be completely disappointed by him. Afalava was far from stellar, but he did have a few games that weren’t too bad. A specific example of such a game is one of Afalava’s first times on the field as a Titan when he lit up a receiver with a hard hit. I can’t remember the game, but that was the highlight of his season. Other than that, he was stuck in rotation with the rest of the safeties as they played musical chairs at the position.

GRADE: D

Markelle Martin

This rookie unfortunately saw the field as he underwent surgery on his knee he injured prior to the Senior Bowl. Martin was a “steal” in the draft for the Titans as they got him in the 6th round of the 2012 NFL draft, but I’m not that high on him. Hopefully I’m wrong, but either way, he can’t do any worse than the rest of the guys who were on the field this past year.

GRADE: Incomplete

 OVERALL GRADE: D-

The safety play was one of a million problems for the Titans in 2012, but it still cost them games and they’ll be doing everything they can to make sure 2013 isn’t a repeat of that. Expect the Titans to bring in a starter early in the 2013 NFL draft to put next to FS Michael Griffin, who will be playing back at his natural position. Hopefully Gregg Williams has a few ideas on how to get Griffin back to Pro Bowl production levels.

I’m hopeful.

You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart

Courtesy: Daylife.com

The Tennessee Titans have shown interest in hiring Brett Maxie as their new secondary coach. Maxie is currently the safeties coach for the Dallas Cowboys. Maxie is supposed to have great work ethic and have earned the respect of the coaches and players in Dallas. It’s obviously a couple factors the Titans have been focusing on as the team changed hands from Fisher to Munchak. The bigggest question is, is he a good coach? (more…)