Tennessee Titans: Team Draft Needs

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Coming off a rather unremarkable 7-9 season, the Titans have no shortage of areas to address in the 2014 draft. The defense faded following a fast start in 2013, and the offense showed flashes but was ultimately disappointing. The Titans have devoted significant resources to the offensive line and offensive skill positions the last few years, while the defense has largely been built around surprising mid-round picks like DT Jurrell Casey and CB Alterraun Verner.

1. Defensive End

The Titans could go a few different directions with the No. 11 pick in the 2014 draft. However, Tennessee had just 36 sacks in 2013, placing them in the bottom half of the NFL. Kamerion Wimbley was a disappointment and is on the wrong side of 30. Derrick Morgan finally broke out a bit in 2013 with six sacks, but Tennessee is thin on the defensive line, and could certainly use some help in pressuring the quarterback, particularly having to face Andrew Luck two times per season.

2. Safety

The Titans had two hard-hitting safeties last season in Bernard Pollard and Michael Griffin. Pollard is a free agent, though, and even if he is retained, Tennessee could use a ball-hawking safety to complement that pair. The Titans had just 13 interceptions in 2013. As such, Tennessee could be in the market for a difference maker in the secondary to help out with coverage down the field.

3. Quarterback

Is Jake Locker the answer for the Titans at quarterback? Unfortunately for Tennessee, they will likely miss out on the top four quarterbacks in this draft, unless they decide to trade up. Still, new head coach Ken Whisenhunt is offensive-minded and just resurrected Philip Rivers' career in 2013. He may try to fix Locker first, before attempting to use a high draft pick on a gunslinger. The Titans should still select a polished college quarterback at some point, to compete with Locker and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

First round
-Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame (6-6, 310)
-Kony Ealy, Missouri (6-5, 275)
-Vic Beasley*, Clemson (6-2, 235)

Second and third rounds
-Kyle Van Noy, BYU (6-3, 245)
-Dee Ford, Auburn (6-2, 240)
-Scott Crichton, Oregon State (6-3, 265)
-Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas (6-4, 250)
-Marcus Smith, Louisville (6-3, 250)
-Chris Smith, Arkansas (6-2, 270)

Fourth round and later
-Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech (6-3, 240)
-Aaron Lynch, South Florida (6-5, 245)
-Michael Sam, Missouri (6-2, 255)

First round
-Ha Ha Clinton Dix*, Alabama (6-1, 210)

Second and third rounds
-Craig Loston, LSU (6-1, 210)
-Calvin Pryor*, Louisville (6-2, 210)
-Dion Bailey, USC (6-0, 200)
-Kenny Ladler, Vanderbilt (6-0, 205)

Fourth round and later
-Terrence Brooks, Florida State (6-1, 210)
-Marqueston Huff, Wyoming (5-11, 195)
-Tre Boston, North Carolina (6-0, 205)

First round
-Derek Carr, Houston (6-3, 220)

Second and third rounds
-Tajh Boyd, Clemson (6-1, 225)
-AJ McCarron, Alabama (6-3, 215)
-David Fales, San Jose State (6-2, 220)
-Zach Mettenberger, LSU (6-5, 235)
-Brett Smith, Wyoming (6-2, 210)

Fourth round and later
-Aaron Murray, Georgia (6-1, 210)
-Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech (6-6, 255)
-Stephen Morris, Miami (6-2, 220)
-Connor Shaw, South Carolina (6-1, 210)