Defensive end is obviously a position the Titans need, bad. Arguably our biggest need. Webster and Munch have said on record that they want to bring in a rookie DE, whether it's 1st round who knows. I'm assuming it'll be first round, unless maybe we look at Barron. Our 2nd biggest need is OG/OC, but Munch has stated he doesn't think we need a 1st round OL. So that really leaves us with DE, DT, and Safety. Let's just say we go DE... who is your favorite DE prospect? Here's your options: Quinton Coples - UNC - 6056 284 - 4.78 40 & 28 BP - 15.5 TFL & 7.5 SACKs Melvin Ingram - SC - 6014 264 - 4.79 40 & 28 BP - 15 TFL & 10 SACKs Nick Perry - USC - 6026 271 - 4.64 40 & 35 BP - 13 TFL & 9.5 SACKs Whitney Mercilus - 6035 261 - 4.68 40 & 27 BP - 22.5 TFL & 13 SACKs Vinny Curry - 6031 266 - 4.98 40 & DNP in BP - 21.5 TFL & 11 SACKs Andre Branch - 6042 259 - 4.70 40 & DNP in BP - 17 TLF & 10.5 SACKs It's very possible that we could land any of these guys. Drafts can be unpredictable, if you could chose any of these guys.. who would you draft?
It's close between Perry and Ingram but as I've said in other topics that my only issue with Perry was he was a bit undersized but now that he added the 20 lbs (and honestly he has the frame that I think he could add another 5-10 lbs). Great athlete. Wide variety of the pass rush moves. Was eaten up in the run a little bit but the extra weight should help him there.
I like Nick Perry. Ingram is also interesting but I see him more of a 3-4 LB. Plus Perry will probably still be on the board @ #20 when we pick.
I'm now sold on Nick Perry, and completely over Quinton Coples, dudes gonna break someones heart when he doesn't pan out.
My favorite DE prospects are Mario Williams, Robert Mathis and then Cliff Avril. Guys who have proven that they can get it done in the league. I see no reason that the Titans shouldn't make a big move to try and land one of these 3 guys. We have to have a guy that is proven. I don't want us to pull a Jags and spend half our draft getting 2 rookies and having neither of them pan out. It is tough to know how these DEs are going to translate to the NFL and getting them in the correct scheme is important as well. If you land Mario then the draft gets much easier...none of the rookies fit our system the way that Mario would. Ingram is my favorite rookie because he has the burst that I love. I like to look at the 10 yd split, 20yd shuttle and 3 cone drill times for DEs because they show change of direction and burst. Ingram did better than Kearse in those areas and much better than Perry. I do worry about his arm length though. Dummervil was short like Ingram, but had very long arms. I think Ingram will excell if he goes to a 3-4 team while he might struggle more in the 4-3 scheme.
I don't think any of them are worth a 1st round pick. Far better picks at DT and Guard/Centre available.
I feel the same way. Avril is the guy I'd want. He's proven. He's 25. And while he wouldn't be cheap, he's not going to command the kind of money Mario will.
Mario should be our guy. We need to stop thinking about the DE in the first because it is just too risky. BUT, for the sake of this post, Perry, Coples, Mercilus, Ingram, Upshaw, Curry, Branch. In that order, as of now. I would rather go Barron, Best DT available, Best WR available. in that order, if we sign a proven DE in FA. Another DE bust could set us back several years.
