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NASHVILLE – The Titans chose Mississippi State defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons with the 19th overall pick in the NFL draft.
Simmons, who has accumulated 157 tackles, seven sacks, four forced fumbles and six defensive passes in three seasons at Mississippi State, has begun the off-season as a top-10 pick.
But Simmons (6-3, 301) had a torn LCA during a routine exercise during a training session in February and was operated on.
Before the draft, two project analysts said the Titans should consider choosing him in the first round of the NFL draft.
"I think he's pretty good at 19," said Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network Editor, about Simmons. "And I think if you can be patient, history would look good on this choice because it is one of the top five talents."
NFL Network Editor Charles Davis said what would happen to defensive linemen at the beginning of the project would affect the speed with which Simmons will retire from the board.
"Simmons makes sense to me for just about anyone, because I think it's as good," Davis said. "But the questions: how long will you have to wait? When will he be ready? Can you afford to do it? Each team will have to decide. "
NFL's Bucky Brooks named Simmons fifth on the list of the project's top defensive tacklers.
"The ACL tear suffered by Simmons in February clearly reduces its project stock," Brooks wrote. "But astute coaches will keep in mind his disruptive game and will focus on the impact he could have on a unit when he comes back from his injury."
Jeremiah said he heard relatively positive news about Simmons and his future.
"From all that has ever been said about medicine, it looks like if you choose it, you may be able to have it for six or seven games (in 2019)" Jeremiah said. "So it may not be a total wash. If your doctors are comfortable with that and you think you have six or seven games with him in 2019 and let him switch in the future, again, I think the story would be pretty nice with this choice because he is also talented. "
The Titans must make five more choices in rounds 2 to 7 over the next two days, including the second (51) and third (82) picks on Friday night.
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