Tennessee Titans 2016 NFL Draft Grades

Morgan Epstein grades the Tennessee Titans 2016 NFL Draft. Does Tennessee have a bright future after drafting Jack Conklin with the eighth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft?

8. Jack Conklin, RT, Michigan State A Grade

Marcus Mariota now has Taylor Lewan as his left tackle and Jack Conklin as his right tackle. Mariota will have two reliable offensive tackles that can buy him time in the pocket as well as open up the running game. That was the number one thing the Titans needed to address in the 2016 NFL Draft.

33. Kevin Dodd, 3-4 LOLB, Clemson A- Grade

Kevin Dodd was a clear first round prospect. The Titans will use Dodd as a situational pass rusher behind Derrick Morgan after Dodd was a natural 4-3 left end at Clemson. Now he moves to 3-4 left outside linebacker. Tennessee can use him as a rotational pass rusher who starts whenever Brian Orakpo or Derrick Morgan gets injured.

43. Austin Johnson, NT, Penn State B+ Grade

The 6-4 323 lb Austin Johnson has the size to be the Titans long-term starter at nose tackle. Right now he gets to come in and learn behind Al Woods at nose tackle.

45. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama B+ Grade

Right now Derrick Henry is a backup to DeMarco Murray. Henry will get to split some reps with Murray and I really like the spot the Titans got Henry at.

64. Kevin Byard, SS, Middle Tennessee St. F Grade

Kevin Byard is currently a third string strong safety on the Titans depth chart. I wasn't a fan of the pick and the Titans can probably find a better safety in the 2017 NFL Draft. I get that Byard was versatile enough to play both free safety and strong safety, but everyone who watched his tape knew he was a career backup.

140. Tajae Sharpe, WR, Massachusetts B Grade

The only thing we know with the Titans receivers is that Kendall Wright enters the season as the #1 wide receiver on the Titans depth chart. Every other receiver is competing for a starting job across from Mariota as well as a slot receiver job. Sharpe has an outside shot of being the Titans slot receiver so I have to give this a B pick at this point.

157. LeShaun Sims, CB, Southern Utah F Grade

LeShaun Simms is the #8 cornerback on the Titans depth chart. It's gonna difficult for him to crack a roster spot on the Titans.

193. Sebastian Tretola, LG, Arkansas C Grade

Right now Sebastian Tretola is the third string left guard on the Titans depth chart. Ben Jones is moving from center on the Houston Texans to a starting left guard on the Titans since the Titans have Brian Schwenke and Andy Gallik at center who are both effective. Tretola may be a third string left guard right now, but he's got enough talent and shear force as a run blocker to develop into the backup left guard on this team at some point.

222. Aaron Wallace, 3-4 MLB, UCLA D Grade

Tennessee used this pick on a third string 3-4 middle linebacker. Aaron Wallace was a poor mans version of Myles Jack with more durability and explosiveness as a pass rusher. Scooby Wright was also still on the board.

253. Kalan Reed, CB, Southern Miss F Grade

There is a very slim chance Kalan Reed makes the roster. I think Reed probably won't make the roster.

Tennessee Titans Team Grade: B- Grade

The Tennessee Titans had ten picks. They hit on their first four picks in the first two rounds. They also got Tajae Sharpe in the fifth round. They missed on the other five picks though and that's why I gave the Titans a B- Grade.

Marcus Mariota is the future of the Titans. Tennessee got an offensive tackle to give him more time in the pocket. None of these AFC South Teams have a pass rusher that can impose their will on left tackles or even Conklin. If the Titans cannot win 8 games its pretty clear Mike Mularky isn't the right coach for the Titans.