NFL Draft Countdown Predicts Whitney Mercilus Will Go No. 20 To Titans

Read More: Whitney Mercilus (DL - Illinois)

Scott Wright's NFL Draft Countdown has long been one of my go-to sites for NFL Draft coverage (along with SB Nation, of course) and the latest mock at the site has Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus going No. 20 overall to the Tennessee Titans. The projection is higher than most for Mercilous. SB Nation's Ryan von Bibber does not have the Illini junior in the first round.

The scouting report on Mercilus reads as such: he's a high-motor player coming off an incredibly productive season who lacks jaw-dropping explosiveness. Mercilus was the Illini's best player a season ago, tallying 16 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. Wright notes that Mercilus benefits from a lack of 4-3 defensive ends in this particular class. The Titans will certainly be targeting a pass rusher at some point in this draft, after last in the NFL in sacks.

In the SB Nation mock draft, the Titans are pegged to select USC defensive end Nick Perry.