2009 NFL Draft Team Needs: Tennessee Titans
By Editorial Staff
In recent years, Tennessee Titans fans have clamored for a top-flight wide receiver. In 2007, the team selected safety Michael Griffin from the University of Texas. In 2008, they “reached” for the speedy running back Chris Johnson out of ECU. Fortunately, those picks have paid huge dividends thus far, as both have become Pro Bowlers in their first and second seasons, respectively. After going 13-3 last year, the Titans are in a nice position with the 30th selection in the first round. They will have a lot of options with the pick and don’t have too many holes that need to be filled for next season. They will be able to take the best player on their board and won’t have to pay him the type of money they did to the likes of Pacman Jones (6th overall) and Vince Young (3rd overall). With all of that said, is this finally the year that the Titans draft an impact wideout? History says no, but if a WR is the highest player on their draft board, then Titans fans will likely be welcoming a new one to the team.
WR: Tennessee has drafted eight wide receivers since 2005. The names are about as recognizable as their faces: Courtney Roby, Brandon Jones, Roydell Williams, Jonathan Orr, Paul Williams, Chris Davis, Joel Filani and Lavelle Hawkins. Hawkins, Davis and Williams are the only ones left on the roster, but by the end of training camp, Hawkins (who they hope will turn into Derrick Mason-lite) may be the only one still a Titan. And that doesn’t include the 1st round selection of Kevin Dyson in 1998, the 2nd round pick of Tyrone Calico in 2000 or the 2nd round choice of Ben Troupe in 2004 (yes, he was a TE, but he was also the team’s first pick that year). No current Titans there either. You have to believe that some of those choices may have affected future draft picks at this position, but if the Titans learned anything with the selection of “Twitch” in last year’s draft, it’s that having playmakers at skill positions is indispensable. If a WR like Percy Harvin or Darrius Heyward-Bey is still hanging around, the Titans must strongly consider taking the leap they weren’t willing to last year when all of the top WR’s were still on the board.
CB: The Titans secondary was by far the most pleasant surprise of the 2008 season. Just two years ago the Titans finished with the 27th ranked passing defense in the league. But since drafting CB Cortland Finnegan in 2006 (6th round) and safety Michael Griffin in 2007 and bringing in free agents S Chris Hope in 2006 and CB Nick Harper in 2007, the Titans have turned in top ten defensive units. Finnegan and Griffin will be cornerstones in the secondary for years to come, but Hope (28) and Harper (34) aren’t getting any younger, and Harper will become a free agent after next season. Look for the Titans to find his replacement in this year’s draft, possibly with a guy like Alphonso Smith from Wake Forest or Darius Butler from UConn.
DE/DT: The Titans lost maybe their best player this off-season, when Albert Haynesworth left for Washington and Dan Snyder’s dirty money. Jason Jones had a great rookie year, and while he’s listed as a DE, the majority of his playing time came at the tackle position. Jones certainly helps with the loss of Haynesworth, but the Titans will look for another lineman in this draft. The loss of 2004 second round picks Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy coupled with the age and injury histories of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse leaves defensive end a position where Tennessee needs to get deeper and younger. Peria Jerry, the DT from Ole Miss, would certainly help soften the loss of Haynesworth, but he’ll probably be gone long before the 30th pick. If DE Robert Ayers were to last this long though, he would be a great value and were certainly make a lot of Volunteers happy.
LB: Keith Bulluck has unquestionably been the leader of the Tennessee Titans defense since they made him their first round selection in the 2000 draft (also the 30th pick). Bulluck has been one of the most underrated players at his position since he came into the league (only one Pro Bowl, in 2003). Unfortunately, he is on the north side of 30. Same goes for his linebacking bookend, David Thornton. The youngster, Stephen Tulloch looks to have a place in this corps for the future, as he has shown some promise, but he still lacks the consistency that is needed to lead this unit and is better suited to play outside. Throw in the fact that there is very little depth here (unless you’re crazy about Stanford Keglar’s “upside”) and you almost have to think that the Titans will try and find another future starting linebacker in this draft. If someone like Clay Matthews who has the pedigree (USC linebackers – Fisher’s alma mater) and bloodlines (his grandfather, father and uncle, Bruce, who is a Hall of Famer and former Oilers/Titans great) the Titans covet were to fall, he would be a great first round selection.
If last year proved anything, it’s that Tennessee (like most disciplined teams) isn’t going to draft solely for need in the first round. The Titans might seem pretty stacked at offensive tackle, for instance, but if the top guy on their board when they pick at #30 is an OT, we’re probably looking at a new offensive lineman. This is not a bad thing. The Titans roster is littered with second day gems, and Tennessee has the luxury of having a season or two to groom this year’s draft picks before their impact is essential.