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NFL Mock Draft 2017: Defense rules early

By Brad Weiss

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) knocks the ball out of the hands of Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Andre Patton (88) at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Marshon Lattimore (2) knocks the ball out of the hands of Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Andre Patton (88) at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
5

Marshon Lattimore

CB, Ohio State

The Tennessee Titans are in a nice position as they head into Thursday’s NFL Draft, as they own two of the first 18 picks in the first round. Last season, the Titans came very close to being a playoff team, as a Marcus Mariota injury in Week 16 really derailed their chances of making the postseason. However, Mariota should be 100 percent when the team heads to camp, and he already has a much-improved roster to play with.

During free agency, the Titans went out and tried to fix one of their weak spots from last season. In the secondary, the Titans struggled to get stops on a consistent basis, and since the season ended, they have brought in safety Jonathan Cyprien and cornerback Logan Ryan. With the fifth overall pick, expect them to once again bring in a defensive back, and Marshon Lattimore should be the first cornerback off the board.

Some mocks have Lattimore gone by the third pick, so he may not even be available to the Titans at No. 5. However, the team released veteran corner Jason McCourty this month, and they need someone to play alongside Ryan at the cornerback position. Lattimore would come right in and be an impact player for a team that could legitimately fight for the division title in the AFC South this season.

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