2019 NFL Mock Draft: Projected first round after college football season

Jaylon Ferguson’s production at Louisiana Tech, even in the weak C-USA, should see him as a potential first rounder this year. Ferguson played against inferior competition, but he was also always the focus of opposing gameplans every game, and he still managed to wreck shop in the backfield.

With 2.5 sacks in the Bulldogs’ Hawaii Bowl win, Ferguson set an NCAA record with 45 career sacks. He was a terror in his career in Ruston, culminating in a truly dominant senior season that helped lead an otherwise below-average Louisiana Tech team to eight wins. He racked up an NCAA leading 17.5 sacks and 26 tackles-for-loss, putting plenty on tape to entice NFL scouts into pulling the trigger on him in the first round.

He has legitimate tools as an NFL pass rusher, and provides tremendous upside while also boasting enough developed talent to make an impact as a rookie.

The Titans were middling in rushing the passer this season, ranking in a tie for 16th in the NFL. Brian Orakpo is retiring at the end of the season to focus on his cupcake business, adding to the need for the Titans to grab an edge rusher this offseason.

They could also look at some offensive line upgrades with this pick to try and keep Marcus Mariota more upright and open up holes for Derrick Henry as they potentially transition more toward a power-running team.