ESPN's Mel Kiper Ponders Sleeper Pick for Titans

Apr 18, 2018 at 03:48 AM

Jim Wyatt

Senior Writer/Editor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – What's the best-case scenario for the Titans at pick No.25 in the NFL Draft?

Titans Online presented that question to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper on Wednesday during a conference call.

USC LB Uchenna Nwosu

Kiper mentioned Boston College edge rusher Harold Landry, who has been a popular pick for the Titans in mock drafts.

But he also threw out a sleeper pick possibility – a player he called a potential "steal" for the Titans – while continuing to link a tight end to the team.

"I think he is the one who could make sense," Kiper said of Landry. "But I will say this: He was a little too quiet for my liking this past year. I know he had the minor injury. Two years ago he looked like an elite player, and he fell back a little bit. So I think your hope is he can recreate what we saw from two years ago."

Then Kiper tossed out another potential edge rusher for the Titans – USC linebacker Uchenna Nwosu, who had 75 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss last season for the Trojans.

Kiper thinks he could intrigue the Titans in the second round, although Nwosu's draft stock appears to be rising. Still, while some wonder if he'll be around when the Titans pick at No.57 in the second round, other draft analysts have projected him as a third-round pick.

"I think there's an interesting guy, if you look at the second round – Uchenna Nwosu would be a kid from USC," Kiper said. "I think he may be the best of this group of second-tier guys at the outside linebacker/defensive end spot. He just has a knack for getting after the quarterback. I like Nwosu as a mid to late second-round steal, if the Titans don't get (an edge rusher) in the first round."

Earlier this month, Kiper posted a three-round mock draft for all 32 NFL teams, including the Titans.

In that draft, Kiper gave the Titans a tight end, an interior lineman and a receiver in the first three rounds.

Here's a look at Kiper's picks in that "Grade A" mock:

• Round 1 (25): Dallas Goedert, TE, South Dakota State. • Round 2 (57):Austin Corbett, C/G, Nevada.

• Round 3 (89): Michael Gallup, WR, Colorado State.

Kiper mentioned Goedert again Wednesday morning when asked about the Titans.

"(They could take) Dallas Goedert, the tight end from South Dakota State, who I really like," Kiper said, "(and) they could come back with Nwosu in round 2."

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Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, presents Alabama's Rashaan Evans with his Tennessee Titans jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans is introduced by Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson, left, head coach Mike Vrabel, right, at a news conference Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, center, speaks at a news conference as general manager Jon Robinson, left, and head coach Mike Vrabel listen Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, left, laughs with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel at a news conference Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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FILE - In this Friday, April 27, 2018 file photo, Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans speaks at a news conference in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Tennessee Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. The Titans have agreed to terms on a deal with their first-round draft pick LB Rashaan Evans, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, right, speaks at a news conference as Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson listens Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans poses with his jersey on stage after being selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Alabama's Rashaan Evans poses with his Tennessee Titans jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans on stage after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts via AP)

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans on stage after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts via AP)

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Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, greets Alabama's Rashaan Evans after he was selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans walks on stage after being selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans in the green room during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans in the green room during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Commissioner Roger Goodell presents Alabama's Rashaan Evans with his Tennessee Titans team jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip

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