NFL Draft Day 3: Best Available Defensive Prospects for Tennessee Titans

The Titans must address defense, and there are still a lot of really good players left on that side of the ball on Day Three of the NFL Draft.

The NFL Draft is wrapping up on Saturday, but there are still four rounds and 148 picks left to go. The Tennessee Titans have gone offensive with three of their first four picks, drafting Corey Davis, Taywan Taylor, and Jonnu Smith. They also took care of one defensive need in the form of Adoree’ Jackson. With the offensive needs met, the Titans are likely to attack their defensive weaknesses with their remaining picks.

Even though they’ve already drafted a cornerback, it’s still theoretically a position of need. Really, the Titans could stand to draft players at any defensive position. No one position on their defense is stacked, and the Titans need an infusion of talent on that side of the ball anyway. This draft was widely considered to be loaded for a reason, and we’ll be able to see that as we go through the best remaining defensive players. There are a lot of good defensive football players still out there.

Corn Elder, CB, Miami

Yes, I went to the University of Miami. Yes, I’m partially biased. But Elder would make a lot of sense for the Titans. Undersized at 5’10”, 183 lbs., Elder has fallen into the fourth round because of his size and suboptimal long speed (4.55 forty yard dash). While he may be restricted to the slot because of those shortcomings, Elder plays with the aggression and ball skills of a 6’2″ guy. In addition to that, he’s one of the premier tackling cornerbacks in this entire draft class. Jon Robinson has made it clear with his offseason additions that size at the cornerback position isn’t all that important (Jackson is 5’10” and Logan Ryan is 5’11”), but that tackling absolutely is. Elder fits the trend.

Desmond King, CB/S, Iowa

Considered a first round prospect before the 2016 season began, King has fallen due to his inability to recreate the magic of his spectacular eight-interception 2015 season. The decreased hype and uncertainty about his positional fit at the next level has King plummeting into the fourth round. There are obvious concerns about whether he can be great, or even above average, at any one position in the NFL, but his ability to make plays on the ball is an important trait. With the Titans focusing on versatility with their defensive backs, King would make a lot of sense.

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Vince Biegel, EDGE, Wisconsin

Not as athletic as former college teammate T.J. Watt, who went in the first round, Biegel has nearly the same measurables as his bookend edge defender from college. He doesn’t have the explosiveness to make a massive impact as a pass rusher at the next level, but he’s instinctive and can drop into coverage and cover well if needed. Biegel was productive during all four years of college, and we know how much Robinson values college production. Justis Mosqueda, who does amazing work with edge defenders and pass rushers, has Biegel rated as his 34th best player.

Xavier Woods, S, Louisiana Tech

Yes, another secondary player. There’s a reason this draft is considered to be one of the best defensive back drafts in recent history. Woods exploded as a sophomore, picking off six passes that year and following it up with eight more during his next two years. He has similar dimensions to Kevin Byard, and reminds of him in his play on the field. Safety isn’t a pressing need, but the more talent the Titans can accumulate in the secondary, the better. Josh Norris, who is a fantastic draft analyst, is a fan of his.

Anthony Walker, LB, Northwestern

Walker left early for the NFL following a first-team All-Big Ten and third-team AP All-American season in 2015 and a second-team All-Big Ten junior season in 2016. Walker’s production tailed off as he recorded 17 less tackles and 6.5 less tackles for loss the year following his breakout. A lot of people believed he played at a bad weight, and that the heaviness resulted in a drop off in his performance. He’s not a great athlete, but he’s rather quick for a middle linebacker. Better in coverage than in run support, Walker fits what the Titans need: a talented cover linebacker. Walker could come in and play on passing downs from the get-go.

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