2017 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting What Could Happen in the First Round
18. Titans: Teez Tabor, Cornerback
Top Needs: WR, DT, DE, CB
The Titans will be able to see the value of improving their air offense and shutting down the opposition’s in the 2017 first round. Tennessee’s Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play was a horrid fifth-worst this year, so they’ll take Florida’s Teez Tabor to help with that.
At 6’0” and 200 pounds, Tabor has the requisite size to be a lockdown pro. He sometimes hesitates to stay with receivers going vertical, but his speed to the ball or receiver is second-to-none, and his ability to play the ball in the air sets him apart. He has all the physical tools needed to be a star, but will need some polish.
Tabor’s production was there in college for sure, though. Over the last two seasons, he averaged 36.5 tackles, 3.5 interceptions, and 10 passes defended, nabbing a pass breakup or pick on 26.5 percent of his targets in that span (per PFF). That kind of disruption is what the Titans need to improve.
