The quarterback who's generating the most late buzz -- and could go in the top 10 of Thursday's NFL draft -- is TCU's Andy Dalton. He specifically has been mentioned in connection with the Tennessee Titans, who own the eighth overall pick.
Several league sources said the Titans are high on Dalton and consider him to be an elite prospect who carries less of the varied risk of other quarterbacks in this draft. One source indicated the offensive coaches in Tennessee are pushing for Dalton, while the defensive staff is high on Auburn defensive lineman Nick Fairley.
Dalton has received lots of late interest, with teams such as the Cincinnati Bengals and Miami Dolphins scheduling private workouts. I wouldn't be surprised if the Titans took Dalton eighth overall, nor would I be shocked if he was the second quarterback selected.
The draft always includes some wild cards -- this one particularly is suited to having twists and turns -- and no position is more ripe with intrigue, demand and differing opinions than quarterback.
The Titans clearly have looked long and hard at quarterbacks and certainly could wait to take one in the second round -- but that's a risk because many general managers expect at least one team to move from the second round into the first to secure a signal-caller before Day 2. And there isn't a shortage of teams scheduled to pick in the 20s and later but willing to trade back.
There should be ample defensive line/pass-rush help on the board early in the second round, though not a player with the kind of upside that Fairley possesses. And depending on the first seven picks, a player who few expected to fall to the Titans could.
But in a draft with so many differing thoughts about where these quarterbacks should, and will, go, I'm not shying away from going bold with the Titans taking Dalton.
