At a glance: Tennessee didn't get back to the playoffs last season despite the team's winning season. A Top 5 defense needs to improve its run-blocking ahead of 2019, and a Bottom 5 offense didn't look like it got that much better in the off-season. The offensive line might still struggle if its forced to start a rookie, but quarterback Marcus Mariota may at least have gotten his go-to receiver in the draft's second round.
The Titans defense ranked 3rd and 6th in points and passing yards allowed respectively last year, but the run defense was in the bottom half of the league. They didn't completely address that with first round pick Jeffery Simmons because 1) Simmons will be limited in 2019 after tearing his ACL in February and 2) the team already has Jurrell Casey occupying the defensive tackle spot. But the pick is an investment considering the team already has a Top 5 defense and will more likely than not pay dividends in the future.
A Tennessee offense that ranked 27th in scoring and 29th in passing yards last year - per ESPN - got its big-bodied target. Second round selection A.J. Brown is both fast and shifty and can catch tricky balls. How impactful he is in 2019 is hard to predict because of his route-running, but ultimately quarterback Marcus Mariota got a guy capable of being the passing games focus.
Tennessee allowed plenty of pressure last year - partly to do with a one dimensional offense - so brought in big name free agent lineman Roger Saffold to help the position. Saffold is durable and immediately helps Mariota's blindside. But third round pick Nate Davis might be called into action early after the the Titans let its two starting guards - Josh Kline and Quinton Spain - go in the off-season. Davis was expected to need a bit of time to improve his technique and transition to the pros, but might not be afforded the opportunity.
DRAFT PICKS (per ESPN)
1.19 Jeffery Simmons DT
2.19 A.J. Brown WR
3.18 Nate Davis OG
4.14 Amani Hooker S
5.30 D'Andre Walker OLB
6.15 David Long Jr. OLB
ORIGINAL COVER PHOTO: CBS Television
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