2012 NFL Mock Draft: The Titans and Whitney Mercilus

by Jimmy on Jan 20, 2012 1:00 PM CST in 2012 NFL Draft

NFL Draft Countdown has put out their first mock draft of the season. This is one of my favorite draft sites. They have the Titans taking Whitney Mercilus (pronounced merciless according to Mel Kiper), DE, Illinois. Here is what they had to say about the pick:

Even upon close examination of the Titans depth chart it’s difficult to pinpoint a ton of glaring holes. With that said there are a number of areas where they could stand to upgrade, one of which is defensive end. The cupboard certainly isn’t bare in Tennessee, but they lack a true impact pass rusher at the position and only one team finished with fewer sacks this past season. After entering the year with just two career sacks, Whitney Mercilus of Illinois came through with an outstanding junior campaign and finished the season with 22.5 tackles for a loss and 16.0 sacks. Whitney Mercilus | Illinois Fighting Illini However, despite that impressive production Mercilus isn’t particularly explosive or fluid and his instincts are questionable. With that said this class is lacking when it comes to true 4-3 defensive ends, especially at the top, so Mercilus could get pushed up draft boards a bit. The Titans could opt for some interior offensive line help in the form of Stanford OG David DeCastro and depending on what happens in free agency either cornerback or safety could be a distinct possibility at this point as well.

That is hardly a glowing recommendation there. I really don't want to see the Titans take a guy who has been "pushed up draft boards because of the lack of quality guys."

In this scenario, it would be nice to see them pull the trigger on Michael Floyd, or even Alfonzo Dennard if they let Cortland Finnegan walk.

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So pretty much all mock drafts are agreeing we are taking a DE with our first pick (again... ugh)

I kinda would like to get a more athletic “freak”/speed rush guy to compliment Morgan…IMO

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by StPrattrick on Jan 20, 2012 1:07 PM CST reply actions

Well, there's Quinton Coples or Nick Perry....

other than those 2….we’re talking about 2nd or later rounds.

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 20, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

Melvin Ingram is first round material too

And i like him better than aforementioned. He has versatility, athleticism, the stats, and is a great pass rusher.

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by Deaconbrodie on Jan 21, 2012 8:55 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Agreed

But I figured they would go for a Lineman over a LB.

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 22, 2012 10:01 AM CST up reply actions

People keep talking about Ingram as a LB

But he played his entire college career on the defensive line from DT to DE. He is the same size as Karl Klug. Why would people project him to LB, especially a LB in Gray’s system? At most, he might be able to play OLB in a 3-4 system similar to the Patriot’s defense but Ingram is a 4-3 DE (just not with the “ideal” height).

by shawneriksmith on Jan 22, 2012 10:20 AM CST up reply actions

I think you just answered your own question.

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 22, 2012 10:25 AM CST up reply actions

if they let finnegan walk they are probably going to just draft a corner in the later rounds of the draft

by jv1222 on Jan 20, 2012 1:07 PM CST reply actions

I am still on for the O line.

But I am sure Webster could care less about what I think. Munch knows it, MCM knows it, so it should be law.

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by workingfarmer on Jan 20, 2012 1:39 PM CST reply actions

I <3 Peter Konz

Center, Wisconsin

Haters gonna hate

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by JustinS on Jan 20, 2012 1:54 PM CST up reply actions

More than Cordy Glenn?

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 20, 2012 2:42 PM CST up reply actions

Yes

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by JustinS on Jan 20, 2012 3:39 PM CST up reply actions

Absolutely

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by NJD28 on Jan 20, 2012 4:26 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

I'm still all for Konz at 20.

Pending some FA moves, obviously.

by FYNBYAC on Jan 20, 2012 2:02 PM CST reply actions

do we really want to make the same mistake the chargers made last year and draft a illinois DL?

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by nolesbroncos3456 on Jan 20, 2012 2:08 PM CST reply actions

This is my fondest wish....(Please Mikey....Please)

The Titans could opt for some interior offensive line help in the form of Stanford OG David DeCastro

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

"Anything less than 100% is not good enough" - Vince Lombardi

by titansfan4ever on Jan 20, 2012 2:39 PM CST reply actions

It's not Mikey, anymore!

Ruston is your guy, now.

"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"

by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 21, 2012 10:46 AM CST up reply actions

Trust me...

MR will still be pulling the trigger on these deals.

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 22, 2012 9:56 AM CST up reply actions

Theres only one player i want more than DeCastro in the first round and thats blackmon, however neither is making to us

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by alijeal on Jan 20, 2012 2:41 PM CST reply actions

We could always trade up.

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

"Anything less than 100% is not good enough" - Vince Lombardi

by titansfan4ever on Jan 20, 2012 2:43 PM CST up reply actions

Fair point, but that doesnt seem likely, maybe if we got/get compensation picks, but I thought someone said on a different board we weren't getting any

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by alijeal on Jan 20, 2012 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

Would you give up a 6th or 7th round pick to get him?

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 20, 2012 2:52 PM CST up reply actions

I would

But I’d also “settle” for Konz

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by TitanNDCClothing on Jan 20, 2012 2:59 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah you'd give up a 6th or 7th for him, but no-one is trading back in the first round for a 6th rounder

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by alijeal on Jan 20, 2012 3:13 PM CST up reply actions

Keep in mind, when you're talking about DeCastro....

you’re talking about a Mike Munchak / Bruce Matthews type of player. Those don’t come around all the time. Could end up being a real “franchise” type player for us.

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 20, 2012 3:14 PM CST up reply actions

DeCastro is (in my opinion from watching tape on him this year and breaking him down on MtD)

Is the best gaurd I ever seen coming out of college (been watching tape on college players in general since 2008). He is almost Evans like in the way he plays guard and most importantly, he brings that mean streak that this line has been lacking since Mawae left. This is my opinion prior to watching any semblance of tape (except for the bit provided by rsikes in his posts earlier in the year) on Konz.

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by NJD28 on Jan 20, 2012 4:39 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

DeCastro will be going between 15-20 and probably. We're 20. We could probably move up to 15 for #20 and our 4th round pick or something like that

by NoMoreMustache on Jan 20, 2012 4:51 PM CST up reply actions

if he is expected to get drafted around our position why should we move up?

the only reason why you should ever move up is to draft a qb. also, i thin we will be using our first pick for a defensive player.

by jv1222 on Jan 21, 2012 12:57 PM CST up reply actions

Because...

IMO, Mustache is wrong (no offense, dude)…DeCastro will be gone BEFORE the 15th pick.

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

"Anything less than 100% is not good enough" - Vince Lombardi

by titansfan4ever on Jan 22, 2012 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

The most likely scenario is....

it will either be Barron or Konz.

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

"Anything less than 100% is not good enough" - Vince Lombardi

by titansfan4ever on Jan 22, 2012 9:59 AM CST up reply actions

The only thing that worries me about Konz is:

He started the first 10 games of 2011 as a junior before an ankle injury sidelined him for the final three contests

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

"Anything less than 100% is not good enough" - Vince Lombardi

by titansfan4ever on Jan 22, 2012 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

Wouldn't count on it

Were better off just taking what falls to us at 20. We aren’t in an advantageous position to move around in the draft as of now.

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by NJD28 on Jan 20, 2012 4:28 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

C'Mon Mikey!!!....Make it happen!!

Quarterback Andrew Luck devours all of the headlines regarding the newly revitalized Stanford Cardinal football program, and rightfully so. But DeCastro’s ability to protect his soon-to-be franchise NFL quarterback, as well as open big holes for a vastly underrated Cardinal running attack has opened the eyes of scouts.

The highly sought-after high school recruit redshirted his first year on The Farm, and then earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 accolades after starting all 13 games at right guard in 2009. He again started every contest in his sophomore season, this time getting the full support of league coaches as first-team all-conference material.

It seems as though Stanford runs behind a pulling DeCastro on three out of four run plays because his prowess as a blocker on the move is impressive. Although he is not an elite athlete, the Washington native simply does get not beaten in pass protection, either. Sound technique, excellent toughness, and intelligence are all traits scouts look for in a first-round interior offensive line prospect—and DeCastro has them all in spades.

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

"Anything less than 100% is not good enough" - Vince Lombardi

by titansfan4ever on Jan 20, 2012 3:25 PM CST reply actions

Mercilus is overrated. I've seen him on possible bust lists ...

…Melvin Ingram on the otherhand has glowing reviews, history of success, very athletic, from the SEC. INGRAM has been mocked to us on several mock sites. I would love Ingram or BPA on Defense. We can get a proven center in free agency.

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by Deaconbrodie on Jan 20, 2012 8:33 PM CST reply actions

plus, every mock lately has DeCastro going much earlier than 20th. there's a deeper OL class, so we can wait a round or two. Zeitler from Wisconsin is a beast, possibly there in 3rd round.

I would love two BPA defensive players in first two rounds.

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by Deaconbrodie on Jan 20, 2012 9:12 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think Zeitler will make it past the 2nd rd.

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

"Anything less than 100% is not good enough" - Vince Lombardi

by titansfan4ever on Jan 22, 2012 10:26 AM CST up reply actions

I'd rather spend some of that $30 million in cap space and sign more of a sure thing at DE.

And then use the first pick on a lineman.

by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 21, 2012 10:47 AM CST reply actions

I would be happy with that IF we actually signed a quality DE in FA.

Heck we could sign proven OL in FA too, Myers, C, from Houston, Grubbs or Nicks. I’d be happy with one of those signings.

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by Deaconbrodie on Jan 22, 2012 2:20 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

probelm is though...I'll believe it when I see it...

We don’t have a track record of signing quality, in their prime FA’s.

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by Deaconbrodie on Jan 22, 2012 2:22 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Seems pretty simple what position to draft in my opinion.

Since there is no dominant, must have pass rusher out there this year for the 4-3 defense, or so they say anyway, then we absolutely must get a franchise type Center (Konz) or Guard (DeCastro) and roll with whatever decent pick we can get on the defense after that. You just can’t pass up a franchise Center or Guard if they are available, especially the way we need one now.

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by SiriusTitansFan on Jan 21, 2012 1:24 PM CST reply actions

+1.!!

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

"Anything less than 100% is not good enough" - Vince Lombardi

by titansfan4ever on Jan 22, 2012 10:18 AM CST up reply actions

Not sure why they would let Finnegan walk

Even if he is talented his mouth/attitude/reputation drive his FA value down on the open market. They could get him for cheaper than another corner of equal talent. Might as well keep him.

by SoCalTexan on Jan 21, 2012 9:10 PM CST reply actions