Many believe the proper way to build a good football team is to work from the inside out. Terry Lambert of Music City Miracles is applying that principle in the SB Nation NFL writers mock draft. After taking offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil first overall, they check in with another big body up front in the second round.
2016 NFL mock draft: Chris Jones the 2nd-round pick for Tennessee Titans
After drafting offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil with the first overall pick, the Titans add another big body with their second-rounder.
33. Titans: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
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Lambert: The Tennessee Titans were thrilled to see Chris Jones fall right into their lap. Jones will step in immediately and play a number of different roles along the defensive front for Dick LeBeau. Jones will step in beside Jurrell Casey and bolster a rush defense that ranked in the bottom half of the league last season.
This will also give LeBeau a more explosive pass rusher coming from the inside on passing downs. Jones flashed an outstanding ability to explode through gaps and get pressure on the opposing quarterback quickly. Packages with Casey, Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan and Jones would be tough to deal with.
There were a couple of safeties that were tempting on the board, but the Titans needed a more immediate impact. Tennessee should be set for 2016 with Da'Norris Searcy and the newly signed Rashad Johnson.
Analysis: It was smart to go with a defensive lineman with this selection. It's true that safety is a need and Ohio State's Vonn Bell, arguably the draft's best pure safety, is here. But considering the strength of the defensive line this year, this is a good move. In a typical year, Jones is likely a first-round pick. He can line up at end and play a role similar to that of Cameron Heyward in Pittsburgh. There are some good safeties the Titans can have their pick of in the third round.
Dan’s Top 5 players remaining
- 15. Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
- 20. Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
- 24. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia
- 33. Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State
- 34. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State
Titans picks
- 1-1: Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss
- 2-33: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
That finishes things up for us this week in the SB Nation NFL writers mock draft. Check back Monday at 9 a.m. ET for a pick from the Dallas Cowboys.
Complete draft results:
First round
1. Tennessee Titans - Laremy Tunsil, OT, Ole Miss (Link)
2. Cleveland Browns - Jared Goff, QB, Cal (Link)
3. San Diego Chargers - Jalen Ramsey, DB, Florida State (Link)
4. Dallas Cowboys - Carson Wentz, QB, North Dakota State (Link)
5. Jacksonville Jaguars - Myles Jack, LB, UCLA (Link)
6. Baltimore Ravens - Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (Link)
7. San Francisco 49ers - DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon (Link)
8. Philadelphia Eagles - Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (Link)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Noah Spence, DE, Eastern Kentucky (Link)
10. New York Giants - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame (Link)
11. Chicago Bears - Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (Link)
12. New Orleans Saints - A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama (Link)
13. Miami Dolphins - Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State (Link)
14. Oakland Raiders - Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State (Link)
15. Los Angeles Rams - Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (Link)
16. Detroit Lions - Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State (Link)
17. Atlanta Falcons - Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson (Link)
18. Indianapolis Colts - Ryan Kelly, C, Alabama (Link)
19. Buffalo Bills - Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama (Link)
20. New York Jets - Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State (Link)
21. Washington - Andrew Billings, DT, Baylor (Link)
22. Houston Texans - Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor (Link)
23. Minnesota Vikings - Josh Doctson, WR, TCU (Link)
24. Cincinnati Bengals - Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss (Link)
25. Pittsburgh Steelers - William Jackson, CB, Houston (Link)
26. Seattle Seahawks - Jonathan Bullard, DL, Florida (Link)
27. Green Bay Packers - Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama (Link)
28. Kansas City Chiefs - Vernon Butler, DT, Louisiana Tech (Link)
29. Arizona Cardinals - Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss (Link)
30. Carolina Panthers - Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson (Link)
31. Denver Broncos - Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis (Link)
Second round
32. Cleveland Browns - Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State (Link)
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