A look at Erik Lambert’s 7-round 2016 NFL Mock Draft
By Will Lomas
If you haven’t checked this mock draft out, go look at it right now. That sort of project takes hours and hours of work, and even then you know you are going to get analyzed and put under a microscope of picks even in the 7th round so after we take a moment to appreciate that, let’s break down those picks for the Tennessee Titans.
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1st overall pick: Jalen Ramsey DB, FSU
I have started to come over to this line of thinking. On one hand, Laremy Tunsil the OT from Ole Miss, is going to be a special player in the mold of some of the greatest of all time. Pairing him and Taylor Lewan would give the Titans so much flexibility with their tight ends against teams that are used to constant chips and double teams on the edge which means easier coverage for Marcus Mariota and Delanie Walker.
On the other hand we just saw a Super Bowl where a QB way past his prime with two bad OTs blew up a team with much superior offensive line play and a better quarterback because of defense.
Many people will say that this was in large part thanks to Von Miller, and rightfully so. However, a lot of people forget that the defensive back group held up very well against the league’s highest scoring offense. If those guys don’t hold up in man to man coverage, there is no way that the Broncos can send 5+ rushers at Cam Newton on every play and win that game.
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The Titans already arguably have enough talent on the edge with Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan. Add Jurrell Casey and a serviceable Angelo Blackson inside and you have enough to win on the defensive line so Joey Bosa isn’t a priority.
With two of the big three out, Ramsey is the top guy. With Michael Griffin gone, Ramsey would allow the Titans to put Da’Norris Searcy in the box (where he is best) and it would give them a rangy presence all over the field.
33rd overall pick: Jason Spriggs OT, Indiana
Honestly, Spriggs is a big “meh” to me from my grades in the season. He is so light and stiff, I had a project grade Day 3 and he may be able to develop into a quality starter, but with this pick I think he is too high.
With all the players on the board, I would probably lean towards Josh Doctson or Ryan Kelly.
Doctson is one of my guys in this draft. To me, he has the best hands in the draft and despite his lack of size, he maximizes his big frame and wins in almost every facet of the game. He can take short passes and make people miss, he can go up and win at the high point of the pass, he can also deceive defenders with his burst and anticipation and locate the ball mid flight.
Honestly, he does everything well he just plays in a high flying system and his frame isn’t filled out.
Speaking of players that do everything right, Ryan Kelly is a great center who anchored a great offensive line and paved the way for Derrick Henry to win the Heisman this year. He wins with power and technique and he is one of the most complete centers I have seen in a long time.
64th overall: Jonathan Williams RB, Arkansas
Now that we are in the third round I will get shorter with my analysis. I like Williams a lot and think he could be the Titans day one starter at RB.
97th overall: Xavien Howard CB, Baylor
Very good corner that is underrated. I think pairing him and Jason McCourty and Perrish Cox would be a very good trio with Ramsey behind them.
128th overall: Charles Tapper EDGE, Oklahoma
Again, another underrated player, Tapper is a tweener that could find a home in Tennessee with a talented DC like Dick LeBeau.
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159th overall: Jay Lee WR, Baylor
Lee was clearly the winner in the Senior Bowl among wide receivers during the game. He seems like a great player to take a flier on late in the draft.
175th: Ron Thompson DE, Syracuse
I honestly don’t know anything about Thompson so I won’t lie and pretend to know. This might be a great pick, but for players I know, I would have taken Justin Simmons who I think may end up being a top-5 safety in this class easily. Pairing him as a FS and putting Ramsey as a rover who can blitz would be great for this defense. Simmons is also a heck of a special teamer too.
190th: D.J. Pettway DE, Alabama
Another player I don’t know much about. I will say this, when watching other Alabama defenders I never said, “wow, who is this Pettway kid” so I don’t know if he is the absolute best there but in the 7th round you aren’t going to find a superstar.
The way I would have gone is probably Curt Maggitt. The edge rusher from Tennessee had a great career when he was healthy and he won with speed and a few nice moves. He had a freak injury his final year, but he was the heart and soul of that defense and was key in their resurgence. There is no reason why he shouldn’t be a 4th pass rusher for a team like the Titans.
Also, he would help endear Vols fans to this front office and coaching staff after the fan base felt betrayed by the offseason coaching move or lack there off.
So, great draft I think he made some great picks for the Titans and again, if you haven’t seen it go check it out and figure out who you would have picked for the Titans.