Tennessee Titans: Should Tennessee Focus on QB Late In Draft
By Devon Lloyd
It’s no secret, one of the biggest needs for the Tennessee Titans is the quarterback position. It’s one if not the most important position in football and possibly all sports.
The Titans are currently lacking in that position, and have been for some time. The last truly great quarterback that put on a Tennessee Titans uniform was Steve McNair, since then the Titans have seen plenty of quarterback come and go. Vince Young, Kerry Collins, Rusty Smith, Matt Hasselbeck, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jake Locker, Charlie Whitehurst, and now Zach Mettenburger have all started games at quarterback for the Titans since 2010.
With the 2015 NFL Draft just over a month away and Tennessee is still looking for that “Franchise” quarterback to take them over the top, many people would like to find the quarterback who can do that.
The problem becomes nobody can quite pin point which available quarterback can do just that. There are those who believe that Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota could be that guy, while some others believe that the Titans should draft USC’s defensive lineman Leonard Williams instead, and wait and see if Zach Mettenburger could eventually become the player that Tennessee has waited for.
Although the fans may believe in two different plans they all can agree on one thing, they would like to see a turn-around in the Music City.
Almost everyone if focused on either Mariota or Mettenberger, but what about the other quarterbacks in this year’s draft. Many of them are simply not being talked about very often, but there is some hidden talent there. Drafting a quarterback in the later rounds may not be the most appealing but once their on the field, the round they got drafted in no longer matters.
Nobody is regretting the sixth round pick of Tom Brady by the New England Patriots, or the Seattle Seahawks third round choice of Russell Wilson.
I believe that there could be a hidden gem in this year’s quarterback draft class, that is mostly dominated by Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston.
Nov 8, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) passes against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
UCLA’s Brett Hundley is currently projected to go in rounds two or three and he could be a viable option for Tennessee. Hundley is raw but is just as talented as both Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston skill wise. He has all the tools that you look for in a quarterback with great size and arm strength.
Hundley can make all the throws. His drawback however is similar to that of Marcus Mariota. While at UCLA he took the majority of his snaps in the shotgun formation and will need to show that he is able to make accurate throws dropping back under center.
Baylor’s Bryce Petty is a player that I believe that has the potential to become one the best quarterbacks of this year’s draft class, if he gets the right coaching.
While at Baylor, Petty has shown flashes of brilliance but he has lacked the consistency that you would like out of your potential franchise quarterback. However Petty has the arm strength and accuracy to make all the throws. He is projected to go in between rounds three and four, and should be available for the Titans.
Nov 1, 2014; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (14) calls a play at the line of scrimmage in the second quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Bryce Petty is my favorite quarterback in the draft and after his great pro day on Wednesday, I believe that the Titans should go with the gunslinger form Baylor and shore up their defense with Leonard Williams with the second overall pick this April.