Tennessee Titans 2015 NFL Draft Blueprint

By now, we have a decent understanding of how this draft is structured.  The two quarterbacks will off of the board early, the "big three" receivers will likely be gone by pick 15, and so on and so forth.  Now it's time to devise a plan of attack.  Taking into account the different tiers of positional talent in this class, I put together a plan for the Titans.  This is obviously very fluid as nothing is set in stone, but it's a rough draft of what I would do as a general manager.

First Round (Pick 2)

The Pick: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

Let the phone ring.  Don't even bother answering it.  For the hundred thousandth (and final) time, if you don't have a quarterback, you're nothing in the National Football League. Mariota would offer a large upgrade from Zach Mettenberger. Plain and simple. He offers you size, accuracy, intelligence and athletic ability. Don't get caught up in the system talk either. Mariota can adapt to any system and succeed.

Second Round (Pick 33)

Ideal Pick: Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF

Tennessee has to add a physical receiver in my mind. They have a crop of complimentary pieces at the position right now, but lack a true difference maker. I'd be surprised if Perriman lasts this long, but he offers size and has speed to burn.  Shoot for the stars, right?  If you're a Titans' fan, you need to be rooting for receivers to fall.  The longer Amari Cooper, Kevin White and DeVante Parker stay on the board, the better chance the Titans have at landing one of the second tier guys at 33.

Backup plans: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State, Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

Third Round (Pick 66)

Ideal Pick: Donovan Smith, RT, Penn State

This is were the projection gets murky. I think the Titans want to add another tackle, but I don't necessarily think that it's a major priority given the Bryon Bell signing. Smith's projection has been all over the place lately, some even have him in the late first. I think he fits in the late second, early third range.  He's ranked 70th on my board.  If all the tackles are gone by now, it isn't too early to add a running back.

Backup plans: Daryl Williams, RT, Oklahoma, Rob Havenstein, RT, Wisconsin

Fourth Round (Pick 100)

Ideal Pick: Mike Davis, RB, South Carolina

I've been very adamant that the Titans must add a runner fairly early. The running back talent falls off of a cliff right around this point. However, there should still be some decent names on the board. Mike Davis has gotten lost in this deep class, but he comes in as my sixth ranked runner. He can do it all.  I would happily welcome David Cobb or David Johnson as well.

Backup plans: David Cobb, RB, Minnesota, David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa

Fifth Round (Pick 138)

Ideal Pick: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

If not for the injuries, Ifo probably goes early on day two.  He's an ideal nickelback.  He's fluid and can play man or zone with ease.  He's going to come in and compete for the number three cornerback job, while contributing on special teams.  He blew out his knee in December of 2014, so he will require some patience early.  I would also entertain the idea of grabbing a free safety.  Michael Griffin isn't getting any younger.

Backup plans: Cody Prewitt, FS, Ole Miss, Gerod Holliman FS, Louisville

Sixth Round (Pick 177)

Ideal Pick: Derrick Lott, DL, Chattanooga

Lott destroyed everyone at the FCS level, absorbing and shedding double teams routinely.  He's a former Georgia Bulldog, but blossomed immediately during his time at Chattanooga.  Lott would provide depth along the defensive front to start, with room to develop into a starter down the road.

Backup plans: Joey Mbu, DL, Houston, Corey Crawford, DL, Clemson

Sixth round (Pick 32) (Pick 208)

Ideal Pick: Max Valles, EDGE, Virginia

I think you have to add a pass rusher for depth at least, but ideally you'll get a guy that has room to grow.  Valles is that guy.  He's long and athletic, but has no idea what he's doing quite yet.  Let him learn from Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo for a couple of seasons and see what he turns into.

Backup plans: Obum Gwacham, EDGE, Oregon State, Zach Hodges, EDGE, Harvard