Tennessee Titans 2013 NFL Draft: Team needs and potential solutions

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) breaks away from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive lineman D.J. Mosley (99) during the second half at LP Field. (Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports)

The Tennessee Titans regressed from 2011 to 2012, but hung on to coach Mike Munchak for another go at it. The franchise as a whole has been in somewhat of a holding pattern for the last several years, but has the pieces in place to really make the jump.

A continued resurgence from running back Chris Johnson will obviously go a long way. So will a big improvement out of quarterback Jake Locker.

But those are a mere two pieces to the puzzle. There are several needs this team must fill and it will have the opportunity to do so with the No. 10-overall selection.

Here’s what they will be thinking.

1. Two Safeties: Tennessee could not stop the pass in 2012. A big part of the reason was the play of safeties Michael Griffin and Jordan Babineaux. The front office has a five-day window after the Super Bowl to release Griffin before it has to pay him $4.5 million in 2013. If the Titans don’t give him another chance, they’ll have to find two new safeties.
2. Two Guards: Chris Johnson needs better blocking in front of him to truly return to CJ2K form. Left guard Steve Hutchinson was a disappointment in 2012, while Leroy Harris is a sub-par lineman heading for free agency.
3. Cornerback: Another reason the Titans couldn’t stop the pass was because they had no cornerback depth. Plus, Alterraun Verner will be a free agent next spring. DeMarcus Milliner could be Tennessee’s choice at No. 10 overall this April.
4. Center: Speaking of the interior of the offensive line, Fernando Velasco must be retained after a surprisingly solid 2012 campaign.
5. Quarterback: Jake Locker has shown nothing to indicate that he can become a franchise quarterback. The Titans will give him at least one more year to prove himself, but they need to bring in some competition.

We have broken down the 2013 NFL Draft needs for all 32 teams.

What do you think Gamedayrs?