Tennessee Titans hosted Timmy Jernigan, Shaquil Barrett
Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (8) reacts to a play against the Auburn Tigers during the second half of the 2014 BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Titans are looking for some help on the front seven, as they need a talented edge rusher and more pieces at LB and on the defensive line in order to give new defensive coordinator Ray Horton enough talent to make his hybrid 3-4 scheme work. Anthony Barr could very well be the team’s pick in the first round in order to fill their need for an edge rusher, and his elite physical tools make up for his rawness.
Per a league source the National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson, the Titans brought in Florida State Seminoles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and Colorado State Rams outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett on pre-draft visits. Both players could fill out pressing needs on the Titans defense, and Jernigan would be an excellent pick for the Titans if he slips into the second round.
A project first-round pick, Jernigan is a very disruptive defensive tackle who could also fit in as a 3-4 DE and could be the interior pass rusher that this team craves. That said, I’m not a big fan of Jernigan, and I think he makes a lot more sense for teams that need a DL like him in the high second. That makes the Titans a nice candidate to scoop him up if he does fall below his value.
Barrett is the more interesting prospect to look at, because he isn’t nearly as big of a name. That said, he’s a decent sleeper pick in the middle rounds after producing at an incredibly high level last year with plenty of tackles and 12 sacks to his name. The Titans could use another edge rusher to develop if they take Barr, so Barrett could be a quality option later on in the draft.