The Tennessee Titans have had some high-profile busts this decade, most notably Pacman Jones and Vince Young. However, they have also struck gold in round one with guys like Keith Bulluck, Michael Griffin and Chris Johnson while also finding team cornerstones such as Michael Roos, Bo Scaife, LenDale White and Cortland Finnegan later in the draft. Last year the Titans led the league in wins (13) but despite that impressive showing in the regular season they fizzled in the playoffs and were ousted in the divisional round. There is no question Tennessee has all the pieces in place to make another Super Bowl run or two before their window closes. However, even though they weren’t necessarily looking for a bunch of starters in the 2009 NFL Draft the Titans still needed to supplement their roster and build depth while also preparing for the future. Will this class of rookies provide that final push and get the Titans over the hump in ’09?
For years fans and draftniks have been imploring the Tennessee Titans to use a premium draft pick on a wide receiver who has the potential to be a true #1 target but they stubbornly refused. Until this year. The Titans finally pulled the trigger and added a stud pass catcher, using their first round pick to select Kenny Britt out of Rutgers. A big (6-3, 218), physical, aggressive wideout with great ball skills and body control, Britt doesn’t have elite speed and will suffer some lapses in concentration that lead to drops but he was absolutely dominant at times in college while stamping his name all over the Big East and Scarlet Knights record books. Britt also has some character concerns and in addition to being suspended at one point in 2008 for a violation of team policy he has reportedly displayed some diva-esque behavior at times. With all apologies to free agent addition Nate Washington there is little doubt that Britt is the most talented receiver on the Titans roster and if he can keep his head on straight there is an opportunity for him to make a major impact early on. It often takes wideouts some time to adjust to the pro game but don’t be surprised if Britt eventually pushes for a starting job as a rookie.
After the devastating loss of All-Pro Albert Haynesworth in free agency the Titans needed some reinforcements at defensive tackle so they used their second round pick on Auburn’s Sen’Derrick Marks. Considered by many to be a potential first round pick earlier in his career, Marks was hampered by injuries in 2008 and didn’t have a great junior campaign but he opted to enter the draft with eligibility remaining anyway. A good athlete who uses his speed and quickness to penetrate and disrupt in the backfield, Marks isn’t very stout against the run and needs to get stronger but he profiles as an ideal three-technique. It would not have been a surprise if Marks had come off the board earlier and he had the talent to contend for a spot in the first round next year if he’d gone back to school so the Titans got solid value while also addressing a need. As a rookie Marks will compete for playing time in a rotation but with some development he has starting potential long-term. The Titans may have gotten a steal in round three when they chose South Carolina TE Jared Cook, who Jeff Fisher called "Chris Johnson at the tight end position". A one-dimensional pass catching threat who began his college career as a wide receiver, Cook was arguably the most physically talented tight end prospect in this draft. An amazing athlete with great speed (4.50) and a 41-inch vertical leap, Cook is not a finished product but he still has plenty of room to bulk up his 6-43/4, 246 pound frame and his upside is almost limitless. Cook will likely be brought along slowly behind Bo Scaife and Alge Crumpler as a rookie but he has the ability to be a dynamic threat in the passing game and will be groomed for a much bigger role in the years to come. Later in round three the Titans bolstered their secondary and return unit when they reached for Hawaii CB Ryan Mouton, who wasn’t expected to come off the board quite that early. A JUCO transfer who was only a one-year starter for the Warriors, Mouton doesn’t have the ideal size you look for (5-9, 187) but he plays bigger and is a great athlete with excellent speed and quickness. Mouton profiles as a nickel or dime corner in the pros and that’s the job he will compete for as a rookie but his greatest impact may come on special teams where he will try to help replace return man extraordinaire Chris Carr.
Tennessee had three picks in the middle rounds and they appear to have hit on all of them. First up was Southern Miss LB Gerald McRath in round four. An undersized but super productive ‘backer with terrific speed and athleticism, McRath played the middle in college but the Titans intend to use him outside. A mature player with top intangibles, McRath battled some injuries in college so durability is a concern but when healthy he resembles a poor-man’s Michael Boley. With Keith Bulluck and David Thornton entrenched as the starters McRath will be relegated to backup and special teams duty for the foreseeable future but he could excel in that role. Later in round four the Titans brought in some depth for their offensive line when they selected Tulane OT Troy Kropog, who was considered to be a possible second round pick at one point in the process. A three-year starter at left tackle for the Green Wave, Kropog possesses a nice blend of size and athleticism and also earns high marks in the intangibles department. Kropog, who began his college career at just 265 pounds, is still a work in progress physically and will need to spend some time in the weight room but he has the raw physical tools you look for as well as the work ethic to maximize his potential. Starting tackles Michael Roos and David Stewart are locked in with long-term contracts but Kropog will compete for the primary backup job as a rookie and could even kick inside to guard down the line. The Titans know what they are doing when it comes to offensive linemen and they got another good one in Kropog. After using early round picks on running backs the past three years the Titans opted to bring in some more backfield help in round five when they chose Michigan St. RB Javon Ringer. A productive college runner who enjoyed a terrific senior campaign for the Spartans, Ringer doesn’t have great size or speed but he’s a good all-around player who does everything well. Ringer profiles as more of a career backup in the NFL and as a rookie he will compete with former second rounder Chris Henry for the #3 job behind the tandem of Chris Johnson and LenDale White.
The Titans owned two picks in round six and they used them to add a couple of underrated prospects with some very intriguing measurables. Rutgers CB Jason McCourty didn’t receive an invite to the Scouting Combine but he probably should have considering his rare combination of size (5-101/2, 193), speed (4.30) and intelligence (semifinalist for the Draddy Trophy). McCourty has his work cut out for him as he attempts to earn one of the final roster spots but he could turn out to be a pleasant surprise. Next came Stephen F. Austin WR Dominique Edison, who certainly looks the part on paper at 6-2 and 204 pounds with 4.45 speed. A small school prospect with big-time talent, Edison ranks either first or second in Lumberjack history in career receptions, touchdown receptions and receiving yards. When it comes to making the team Edison faces an uphill battle as he’ll have to contend with other young pass catchers such as Lavelle Hawkins, Chris Davis and Paul Williams. However, even if Edison is unable to earn a spot on the opening day roster he is probably worth keeping around as a developmental guy on the practice squad. Tennessee had two picks in round seven and they used the first on Syracuse OL Ryan Durand. A college tackle who will most likely kick inside to guard at the next level, Durand has a big frame and good mobility but he’s a bit stiff and will have to get stronger. Durand will compete for a roster spot in training camp but he doesn’t profile as anything more than a backup in the pros. With their final pick the Titans took a chance on another small school prospect, this time taking a flyer on South Dakota St. S Nick Schommer. A four-year starter with just average physical tools, Schommer doesn’t really stand out in the box or in coverage and will have to make an impact on special teams if he hopes to make the team.
If one were to judge this class based strictly on the number of rookie starters the Titans probably wouldn’t receive a very good grade. However, Tennessee actually did an excellent job when it comes to landing talented players, addressing needs and getting value for each of their picks. It will likely take a few years before anyone can accurately assess this Tennessee effort and proclaim it either a success or failure but with that said this crop is chock full of potential and should have Titans fans awfully excited.
