A new era starts in Nashville as Brian Callahan has taken over as head coach of the Tennessee Titans, replacing Mike Vrabel after a six-year tenure that ended with back-to-back losing seasons, and the offense will no longer run through Derrick “King” Henry, who left via free agency to join the Baltimore Ravens.
Most Titans fans believe the change in leadership was needed, and the next step takes place this week at the NFL draft in Detroit. The first round begins at 8 p.m. Thursday and will be televised by ABC, ESPN and NFL Network, with the second and third rounds held Friday evening and the final four rounds on Saturday.
(READ MORE: Two plans for the Falcons in NFL draft’s first round Thursday night)
While the top part of the first round is expected to be quarterback-centric, with maybe a receiver or two sprinkled in, the Titans have a very specific need. With that said, here are the best options for Tennessee.
1. Hope the prognosticators are right.
If Mel (where did Todd go?), Fields, Schefty and their draft-predicting brethren are correct, the Titans are set up to strike gold at No. 7 with Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt. He’s the consensus top offensive lineman — by far — in this year’s draft pool and should be able to handle the left side for the next dozen or so years.
2. Maybe a wrench gets thrown in.
Alt is a premier prospect at an elite position, so the Titans have to be prepared for another team (the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 5 or the New York Giants at No. 6) to take him before they can, or for yet another team to trade up ahead of Tennessee and steal him.
There are four other offensive tackles ranked inside the top 32 prospects, but after Alt, who is listed at No. 4 overall by ESPN.com, the next highest-ranked player at that position is Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu at No. 17. That’s way too rich for the seventh pick, so let’s shift gears.
Despite signing Calvin Ridley in free agency, receiver is still a position in need of improvement for the Titans, and in this scenario, one of the big three is out there. So whether it’s somehow Marvin Harrison or Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, take the one you like and look ahead to the second round for help up front.
If you still want to address the trenches, go to the other side and nab Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy or Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner. Either would address an area of need.
Though Fashanu and Georgia’s Amarius Mims will be gone by the time the Titans pick again in the second round, there is offensive tackle depth in guys such as Alabama’s JC Latham, Oregon State’s Taliese Fuaga and Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton to consider at that point.
3. Consider a trade back.
Let’s say Alt is gone and, with Ridley in the fold, the top options at No. 7 are more attractive to another team. The Falcons at No. 8 are rumored to be entertaining a trade back to accommodate a team needing a quarterback or a receiver, but the Titans can beat that one pick sooner, making the spot very attractive.
Move back a bit and Tennessee can still get Fashanu — or maybe an even better player in Georgia tight end Brock Bowers if he drops past the New York Jets at No. 10. A trade back would also help the Titans because they do not have a third-round pick entering the draft.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com.