Titans' triple option: Winston, Mariota or trade pick

In the months leading up to the NFL draft, there's been healthy debate about whether Marcus Mariota would be a good fit with the Titans.

Barring a surprise pick by the Buccaneers — or a trade by the Titans — it's a conversation that's expected to continue into the 2015 season.

After months of studying tape and interviewing players, indications are the Titans are comfortable with selecting former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston or former Oregon quarterback Mariota with the second overall pick on Thursday. The Buccaneers are expected to take Winston, which would leave Mariota for the Titans.

The drama won't end, however, until the card with the pick is handed to an NFL official at the draft in Chicago. The Titans have been in discussions with a number of teams in recent days regarding a trade for the No. 2 pick, and those conversations are expected to continue leading up to the start of the draft at 7 p.m.

If the Titans get a tempting enough offer, they could opt to trade for more draft picks, which would allow someone else to take Mariota. The Jets (sixth overall pick), Bears (seventh), Rams (10th), Browns (12th and 19th) and Eagles (20th) are among the teams to show interest in the Heisman Trophy winner. Just how much they like him — and what they'd be willing to offer to get him — might not be discovered until the Titans are on the clock.

Meanwhile, another option — trading with the Chargers for Philip Rivers — appeared less likely on Wednesday. The Titans and Chargers have been the subject of trade rumors in recent weeks, but the chances of the Titans landing the veteran quarterback in a trade now seem slim.

Mariota, who threw 42 touchdowns and only four interceptions in 2014, would become the third quarterback taken by the Titans in the top 10 since 2006. They selected Vince Young that year, and in 2011 picked Jake Locker.

Young played five seasons with the Titans before being released; Locker played four. Locker announced his retirement from the NFL in March.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said he believes Winston and Mariota are capable of adjusting to the NFL after successful college careers. Mariota, who played in a fast-paced spread offense, would face the biggest adjustment.

"These guys are talented football players," Whisenhunt said. "One of the things when you have high level football competitors and Heisman Trophy winners or quarterbacks that have competed for national championships or won, they want to be better. They want information. They want to try to get better in certain things. A big part of that process is trying to feed that part of their competitive nature.

"Yeah, we will ask them to do some things that we think are important to long-term success in this league. But also some of the things they do well now that they are comfortable with you certainly try to incorporate those."

The Titans are scheduled to make seven picks in the three-day draft.

They have picks 33 (second round), 66 (third), 100 (fourth), 138 (fifth), 177 (sixth) and 208 (sixth). They have the first pick of the day on Friday and Saturday, making those picks especially attractive in a trade.

In addition to quarterback, the Titans are eyeing wide receivers, outside linebackers and offensive tackles.

Following a 2-14 season, the team has plenty of needs. And plenty of pressure to get it right.

"I think you feel that way with every draft," general manager Ruston Webster said. "Obviously there is a lot more focus on the pick because it is so high and there's quarterbacks involved. There's just a lot more focus nationally...

"But I think I always feel pressure to get it right. You want to pick good players. We've put in a lot of time and a lot of effort, made a lot of trips, spent a lot of time with players, spent a lot of time watching film. So sure, you want to make sure you get it right, and we want to get this thing turned around. Really, the way you do it is through the draft, and hopefully we can do that."

Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 and on Twitter @jwyattsports.

NFL DRAFT

First round: 7 p.m. Thursday, ESPN

Rounds 2-3: 6 p.m. Friday, ESPN2

Rounds 4-7: 11 a.m. Saturday, ESPN

NFL DRAFT ORDER

1. Tampa Bay

2. Tennessee

3. Jacksonville

4. Oakland

5. Washington

6. N.Y. Jets

7. Chicago

8. Atlanta

9. N.Y. Giants

10. St. Louis

11. Minnesota

12. Cleveland

13. New Orleans

14. Miami

15. San Francisco

16. Houston

17. San Diego

18. Kansas City

19. Cleveland (from Buffalo)

20. Philadelphia

21. Cincinnati

22. Pittsburgh

23. Detroit

24. Arizona

25. Carolina

26. Baltimore

27. Dallas

28. Denver

29. Indianapolis

30. Green Bay

31. New Orleans (from Seattle)

32. New England

YOU'RE ON THE CLOCK

How much time is allotted per pick:

First round: 10 minutes

Second round: 7 minutes

Third round: 5 minutes

Fourth-sixth rounds: 5 minutes

Seventh round: 4 minutes