Going Deep in 2017 NFL Draft: Tennessee Titans fill needs first with CB, WR, TE

The Tennessee Titans have eight picks in the NFL Draft, including No. 5 and No. 18 in the first round April 27 in Philadelphia.

Talk about a team on the rise. That's the Titans, a team that will be a popular choice for a breakthrough season after they finished 9-7 in 2016. Fueling that optimism is a draft that will yield two players in the first round and four of the top 100.

With Marcus Mariota at quarterback and DeMarco Murray at running back, all that's really needed on offense is a top-shelf receiver. With one of those two first-round selections, it will be a surprise if one of them isn't someone they believe will be a difference-maker on offense.

General manager Jon Robinson pulled off the trade with the Rams last year that yielded the early No. 1 pick this, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see more movement by the aggressive Robinson in this year's draft to get the players that have targeted.

Here is a look at the Titans five-year draft record with roster tallies reflecting totals as of the end of the 2016 season. Below that are key personnel moves made this year and the team's current needs heading into this draft and our projection for all their 2017 picks.

FIVE-YEAR DRAFT BREAKDOWN

. . . . . . . . . . . . .2012 . .2013 . .2014 . .2015 . .2016

TOTAL PICKS . . . .7 . . . . . .8 . . . . .6 . . . . .9 . . .10

STARTERS . . . . . .0 . . . . . .1 . . . . .3 . . . . .2 . . . .3

BACKUPS . . . . . .1 . . . . . .2 . . . . .0 . . . . .2 . . . .7

OTHER TEAMS . . .2 . . . . .2 . . . . .2 . . . . .3 . . . .0

OUT OF LEAGUE . .4 . . . . .3 . . . . .1 . . . . .2 . . .0

Top three draft needs

1. Wide receiver: It's not like the Titans are devoid of playmakers at the position as they have been in many years past. Rishard Matthews was a solid acquisition as a free agent, and Tajae Sharpe had his moments as a rookie. It's just that from a numbers standpoint the Titans could use help after shedding Kendall Wright and Marc Mariani in free agency, and need at least one more threat, perhaps one with the ability to either take the top off the defense or a big body type to win 50/50 balls.

2. Cornerback: The Titans added Logan Ryan as their big get in free agency, and his presence certainly helps to shore up a beleaguered bunch. The Titans still don't know who will start opposite Ryan, as it could be veteran Jason McCourty, or youngster LeShaun Sims or quite possibly someone they find on draft day.

3. Tight end: The Titans have a star here in Delanie Walker, and they re-signed Phillip Supernaw, who could have a bigger role as the blocking tight end with Anthony Fasano having left in free agency for Miami. The Titans need to add at least one more tight end with strong blocking skills, because the only other holdover from 2016 at tight end, Jace Amaro, struggled with blocking last season.

MOCK DRAFT

Below is a list of every pick for the Titans in the 2017 NFL Draft, with players suggested by NFLDraftScout.com Sr. Analyst Dane Brugler. Who would you take? Let us know in comments.

Round and overall pick number listed, along with player, position, school, height, weight and 40-yard dash time. (* - indicates compensatory pick)

1/5: Marshon Lattimore, CB, Ohio State (6-0, 193, 4.36)

1/18: David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla.) (6-4, 246, 4.59)

3/83: Chad Hansen, WR, California (6-2, 202, 4.44)

3/*100: Eddie Vanderdoes, DL, UCLA (6-3, 305, 4.99)

4/125: Kendell Beckwitih, LB, LSU (6-2, 243, 4.80)

5/164: Garrett Sickels, DE, Penn State (6-3, 261, 4.78)

6/214: J.J. Dielman, OT/OC, Utah (6-5, 309, 4.99)

7/236): Sam Rogers, FB, Virginia Tech (5-10, 231, 4.87)

Now it's your turn. NFLDraftScout.com is ready to help with its list of the top 1,000 prospects in this draft.

-- Howard Balzer and TSX NFL team insiders contributed to this analysis.