What the Titans really have to decide at No. 2

As an organization, the Tennessee Titans began their journey to the 2015 draft at the Reese’s Senior Bowl when their coaching staff worked with the North team. After a 2-14 season, not only do they hold the No. 2 overall pick, but that also means they have high selections in each subsequent round. With virtually every piece of information now available to them, including their Fall scouting grades, all-star game exposures, Combine results, Pro Day workouts and personal interviews, it’s time for GM Ruston Webster and head coach Ken Whisenhunt to decide on their draft weekend objectives and craft a game plan that can achieve those goals.

Here are five major assessments they must make before the draft begins on Thursday, April 30:

Will Mariota be wearing Titans' blue in '15?

1. Forecast the short- and long-term future of QB Zach Mettenberger.

This is THE most important evaluation the organization has to make. After slipping in the draft due to a torn ACL at LSU, he was a sixth round choice and ended up making six promising starts before going down with a right shoulder. He certainly has pro size and arm strength, but questions abound regarding his ability to stay healthy (ended last two football seasons on sidelines with injuries), his overall mental makeup and viability as a leader. Everything draft-related will be generated off this Mettenberger conclusion.

2. Evaluate Titans’ roster vs. positional depth on draft board.

In other words, they must determine how the prospects in the draft compare to what they currently have on their own team. This is an essential piece of the draft process and really merges the opinions of your college and pro scouting departments. Team “need” in relation to what is actually available can make certain positions a priority. Again, the Mettenberger eval will definitely dictate what happens with the Titans on the Thursday and Friday nights of the draft.

3. Project best combination of prospects available.

Many media members and the mock drafts only focus on the No. 2  pick, but who is available at No. 33 will go a long ways in determining the path the Titans take at the very top of the draft. As examples, what pairing makes the Titans a better team? QB Marcus Mariota/Oregon and DL Carl Davis/Iowa, or DL Leonard Williams/USC and QB Bryce Petty/Baylor?  Or, is there some other duo of non-QB prospects with Mettenberger being tabbed as the starter for 2015?

4. Strategize very specific trade-down scenarios.

If moving down from No. 2 is a distinct possibility, then the framework of a trade must be established for every pick from No. 4 Oakland through No. 20 Philadelphia (assuming that no trade would take place with No. 3 Jacksonville and the club would not want to go any deeper than No. 20). At what point, would they demand a 2016 No.1 draft choice? Oakland at No. 4 (Leonard Williams) and the NY Jets at No. 6, Cleveland at No. 12 and No. 19 and Philadelphia at No. 20 (all for Marcus Mariota) would appear to be the most logical options for a major move.

5. Is Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ situation for real or a myth?

If the Titans have a remote shot of adding a franchise quarterback to their roster, they must explore every lead and figure out what is the cost to this draft and what are the long-range effects on their salary cap. Remember, Whisenhunt spent the 2013 season as San Diego’s offensive coordinator and Rivers hails from nearby Athens, Alabama.  Trading for Rivers would close the gap between themselves and Indianapolis and elevate their status over Houston and Jacksonville with literally one move.

So, while 90% of the media’s attention has been directed at Tampa Bay and their almost-certain selection of QB Jameis Winston with the first overall pick, the 2015 NFL Draft will truly begin with Tennessee and their Rubik’s Cube of options at No. 2.