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2018 NFL Draft: Tennessee Titans 7-round mock draft

By Joe Romano

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Marcus Mariota No. 8 of the Tennessee Titans looks to throw in the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 13: Marcus Mariota No. 8 of the Tennessee Titans looks to throw in the first quarter of the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 13, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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10 September 2016: Longhorn DT Chris Nelson (97) and Will Hernandez battle at the line of scrimmage during 41 – 7 win over UTEP at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
10 September 2016: Longhorn DT Chris Nelson (97) and Will Hernandez battle at the line of scrimmage during 41 – 7 win over UTEP at Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by John Rivera/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Round 2 – Pick 57

Will Hernandez, G, UTEP

New head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur understand that they have one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks in Marcus Mariota. Utilizing his skill set will be crucial to the coaching duo’s success. One way to maximize his potential and playmaking ability is to solidify the offensive line. Tennessee has plus players at both tackle spots and at the center. The guard play can stand for an upgrade.

Will Hernandez of UTEP is the exact type of guard that should entice the Titans. A mauler at 6-foot-2 and 348 pounds, he has the ideal size that NFL teams fall in love with. Pair that size with his impressive showing at the Senior Bowl and there are talks of him sliding into round one.

Ultimately I think we see Hernandez slip into round two. The guard spot is just not valued at a high level and will push him down draft boards. That is good news for Tennessee who can immediately plug him in on either side and watch him flourish in the middle.

Hernandez was able to squash concerns that he played at UTEP, a smaller school, by dominating defensive lineman at the Senior Bowl. The only reason teams may knock him back a peg, aside from his position is his underwhelming height and arm length. That would not scare me and it should not scare the Titans. Securing the guard spot with a high upside prospect like Hernandez makes a ton of sense for this new regime.

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