NASHVILLE – NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his Mock Draft 3.0 this week, and it looks just like his 2.0 version as far as the Titans are concerned.
Jeremiah has the Titans taking Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins at pick No.19.
"I'm a big fan of Wilkins, and I think he's worth a top 10 pick," Jeremiah said. "It sounds like he might fall out of that range, and I think that would be a heck of a value (for Tennessee). Put him in there next to Jurrell Casey and let him roll."
Wilkins (6-4, 312) became the first William V. Campbell Trophy winner in Clemson history.
He completed his four-year collegiate career with 250 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 56 quarterback pressures, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 2,441 snaps over 59 games (45 starts). He was a three-time All-America performer.
"What a guy to learn from, if Wilkins can learn from Casey," Jeremiah said. "I know Jurrell is a little bit shorter, but they even have a similar body types."
If the Titans do indeed take Wilkins in the first round, Jeremiah likes a receiver for the Titans in the second round (pick 51). He also noted the need at interior offensive line, and likes North Carolina State's Garrett Bradbury.
"I think the second round is going to be the sweet spot for the receiver group," Jeremiah said. "I think a lot of teams will punt on receivers in the first round and just wait. Does an A.J. Brown (Ole Miss), a N'Keal Harry (Arizona State) make it there? What about Deebo Samuel (South Carolina)? Those guys are all really good players, and would be really good options at the receiver position.
"I think you'll see a run on the wide outs in the second round."
Jeremiah said the Titans could have an interesting decision to make if Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons remains on the board, as he expects.
Simmons, who racked up 157 tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and six passes defensed in three seasons at Mississippi State, began the offseason as a potential top-10 pick.
But Simmons (6-3, 301) suffered a torn ACL doing a routine drill during a workout in February and had surgery. Add the injury to some off-field concerns, and some teams might be hesitant to pick him early, which could lead him to sliding to Tennessee, a team looking for help on the defensive line.
"From everything I've been told on the medical stuff, it sounds like if you pick him, you might be able to get him for six or seven games (in 2019)," Jeremiah said of Simmons. "So it might not be a total wash. If your doctors are comfortable with it, and you thought you were going to get six, seven games with him in 2019 and have him rocking and rolling in the future, again, I think history would look pretty kindly upon that pick because he's that talented.
"I think there's a good chance he's there at 19," Jeremiah continued. "And I think if you can be patient, history would look pretty kindly upon that pick because he is a top five talent."
Jeremiah has heard the tight end talk for the Titans at No.19, but isn't necessarily a fan of the idea.
Behind Florida State edge rusher Brian Burns and Wilkins, Iowa tight end Noah Fant was the most popular pick for the Titans in a roundup of 40 mock drafts this week by Titans Online.
"I don't think that would be my first choice there, but I get the standpoint that you have to be more dynamic offensively, and (Noah) Fant is a really good player and it would allow you to do some things," Jeremiah said.
"I get it from the standpoint, 'OK, you want a receiver.' But I think Fant is probably going to be better than the receiver options outside except for maybe (Oklahoma's) Hollywood Brown. I would rather wait in a receiver, and tight end could be a good option there. But I think at the end of the day they end up going to the line of scrimmage, either offensive or defensive line."
