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Tennessee Titans 2019 NFL Mock Draft

By Will Lomas

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 04: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars celebrates after a tackle in the first half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at TDECU Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 04: Ed Oliver #10 of the Houston Cougars celebrates after a tackle in the first half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at TDECU Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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TDN’s fun new simulator presents a problem for the Tennessee Titans.

Before free agency, I would say that the Tennessee Titans have two major needs in the 2019 NFL Draft, with a few potential upgrades wanted.

With The Draft Network’s new mock draft simulator (and big board creator which I will use later), I decided that I would have a nice easy article.

Last week I presented my theory that Jon Robinson likes to use the draft to replace players who left in free agency or who are clear issues in the offense. Not taking best player available or drafting for minor upgrades, but putting his chips on the table and trusting that young players that he selects in the first round will be able to immediately start and make an impact.

I urge you to go check that article out and see why I think that there are two clear areas Robinson may target: EDGE and IOL (pending Quinton Spain walking in free agency and a potential Josh Kline cut).

While I did also concede that this year wide receiver may be an exception to the rule, but I went into this mock draft thinking that EDGE was going to be the position I targeted no matter what in the first round.

Then something interesting happened that made me consider a “gray area”. Is there a player whose position is more fluid than we think, like Rashan Gary but with higher potential?

Let’s look at my 2019 NFL Mock Draft.

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1st round, pick 19: Ed Oliver DL+, Houston

In about a week, the general consensus is that we are going to find out that Ed Oliver is pound for pound one of the most athletic defensive linemen we have ever scene. While he is going to measure in around 6’1, 280 lb., I think it is short sighted to just call him a DT and move on.

So, what if he has a combine that looks like this:

40-yard: 4.65

3-cone: 7.1

Broad Jump: 10 feet

Vertical jump: 34

What do you do with a player like that? Someone who puts up great EDGE numbers and had great college production at defensive tackle where he was constantly double teamed, where do you play him?

Here is an idea, on base downs why not use him like you would use Derrick Morgan? Let him bully tight ends and set the edge in the run game using leverage, hand usage and size. Then on pass rush downs you kick him inside to where he dominated in college (1-tech) and surround him with Jurrell Casey, Harold Landry and a combination of Sharif Finch, Kamalei Correa and Rashaan Evans.

If you think he is small for an EDGE, just remember that from 2013-2015 Dean Pees used Elvis Dumervil (5’11, 250 lb.) as his starting EDGE and he ended up with 32.5 sacks and 31 TFLs during that stretch as well as being named first team All-Pro once and to the Pro Bowl twice.

I think the coach that found a way to get the best three-year stretch out of Dumervil could do something similar with Ed Oliver.

Worst case scenario you end up with a very talented DL to pair with Jurrell Casey and best case you end up with a versatile defender who scares offenses to death.

2nd round, pick 51: Irv Smith Jr. TE, Alabama

Jon Robinson wants to replace snaps with his first round picks, and he wants to find the best players available in the second. Sure, need is important in the second but if you can find a rotational/sub-package player with great talent there (like Harold Landry last year) then you do it.

Irv Smith is an athletic prospect who isn’t limited to just being a receiver, but who did shine in that role this year averaging 16.1 yards per catch and ending up with 7 TDs.

Instead of drafting T.J. Hockenson (who went 8th in this draft anyway) the Tennessee Titans end up with a player who should be about 90% of what Hock is but they get him a round later.

Arthur Smith is a man who will probably use a lot of 2TE sets, but hopefully not in the way that Matt LaFleur did at times last year where there is a lot of predictability.

Giving the Titans another balanced tight end is a huge help and addressing both DL and EDGE with the Ed Oliver pick gives them the flexibility to make this move.

3rd round, pick 83: Antoine Wesley WR, Texas Tech

Shout out to Matias Wodner who was all in on Wesley before I got a chance to see him, because man when you watch Wesley he sure feels like a top-60 pick.

The reason he probably will fall down draft boards is because there is such a log jam of names that people are more comfortable taking in front of him. Being a “one year wonder” in a pass heavy offense is a scary thing to take a risk on, but his film is so good.

At 6’5, he shows the ability to go up and take the ball away from defenders but he is more than that. He has the ability to run after the catch and he has serious quickness out of his breaks at that size.

I think Wesley has the tools to be a good boundary receiver at the next level with solid routes, explosive breaks and outstanding size. His concentration and career production could be a concern, but he is definitely worth the risk.

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4th round, pick 115: Terry Godwin WR, Georgia

I expect Godwin to have a really solid combine. In high school he ran a 4.66 and had a 35 inch vertical. He is an explosive player and I think you can make him a designated slot receiver and a punt returner.

Double dipping at wide receiver instead of offensive line is an issue, but unfortunately I don’t think any of the IOL are anywhere close to the value that Godwin is here. Titans get a special teams player with a defined role in their offense going forward.

5th round, pick 147: Anthony Nelson EDGE, Iowa

I talked about Ed Oliver having the athletic potential to be a versatile EDGE/DL, well Nelson has the traits to be that guy. I don’t think he has anywhere near the upside, but he has gotten progressively better in a pretty talented conference.

The Titans can use Nelson as another one of those EDGEs in the mix for playing time opposite Landry as they look at the potential of moving away from Austin Johnson and/or Daquan Jones after this season.

7th round, pick 211: Hjalte Froholdt IOL, Arkansas

On one hand, I hope the Titans draft Froholdt because I think he could be a legit starting guard in the NFL. He has size and athleticism, but needs some refinement since he only just started playing offensive line in 2016.

He is the type of developmental player that actually has the chance to be a starter in the NFL, so if the Titans can get a guard in free agency and figure out a way to get both Corey Levin and Ben Jones on the field together then they can make this one of the few actual 7th round picks that matter.

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