Tennessee Titans: Best option with 2nd pick?

The Tennessee Titans can draft the best player, or the flashiest, with the 2nd pick in the NFL Draft. Do they have the balls to make it a choice? Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.

TODD:

With the second pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans select…?

To me, this is the most interesting spot in the draft. Everyone assumes that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will select Jameis Winston with the first pick, and we will move ahead with that assumption.

So when Tennessee is on the clock at two, who do you take? Is it arguably the best player in the draft or the top quarterback remaining for a team desperate for a franchise signal-caller?

A) Leonard Williams
B) Marcus Mariota

The Titans were poor defensively last season and could surely use the services of Williams on the defensive line. He is capable of playing either 3-4 end, like the Titans employed last season, or 4-3 tackle and has the ability to excel at both.

On the other hand, are you confident in Zach Mettenberger as your QB for the next five to seven years?

He was only a rookie last season, meaning he needs time to grow, and it might be shortsighted to move on this quickly. But if Mariota is the better long-term prospect at the position, don’t you have to take him?

I would personally hate passing on Williams, but I also find it hard to imagine an NFL team in this day and age passing on the quarterback…if it believes he has a future. What’s the pick for Tennessee at two?

Dec 7, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) against New York Giants the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit:

Jim Brown

-USA TODAY Sports

DAN:

I’d find the second pick more compelling if I believed the Titans had the balls to pass on quarterback Marcus Mariota. But because of the actual brevity of such a decision, this is definitely the pick to watch in the draft.

Tennessee is in a very winnable division and not far behind in the Wildcard discussion. Sure the Colts and Andrew Luck are leagues ahead of the divisional competition on paper, but the difference between Indianapolis at 11-4 and Houston at 9-7 last season was small. By adding young playmakers at the top of the first and second rounds, the Titans can quickly scoot up the AFC South ladder.

So what’s their best option with the second pick? Do they go with the defensive stud or the shiny new toy at quarterback? Tennessee needs to pick Leonard Williams, having the confidence to pass on Mariota.

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Adding Williams on defense will change the face of the Titans on both sides of the ball. They were second to last stopping the run on defense last season. That facet of the game should instantly improve to league average at a minimum, improving their passing defense by association. When the defense keeps the offense resting, the offense can perform at a higher level. When the offense isn’t constantly playing from behind, it can run Shonn Greene to success and not force their sophomore quarterback to win games.

I’d be hard pressed to grade Zach Mettenberger at this stage of his career. The Titans’ starting quarterback played a mere seven games last season, throwing eight touchdowns to seven interceptions. His QBR was low, but 1,412 yards and 59.8% completion on a two win team was a great starting point for success.

Mettenberger has yet to win his first NFL game, but he faced off against teams with a winning record in six of his seven games last year. Four of those five teams were playoff teams. Indianapolis, Houston twice, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia all defeated Zach during his rookie year.

Tennessee can’t possibly know what it has with Mettenberger just yet. Mariota may project as the better long-term starter in the NFL, but Williams is a near lock to rule the field and cause havoc for opposing offenses.

The Titans should take the best player at a position of need. Draft Leonard Williams and let the games begin. With the first pick in the second round, Tennessee is positioned to really change the shape of their football team for 2015.

Next: Will Titans sign Joe Barksdale?

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