Tennessee Titans Post Draft Commentary

The Titans surprised many people coming out of the gate the way the team did in 2008. Enduring Vince Young’s meltdown, whilst continuing to win games is a testament to the coaching staff and Jeff Fisher; who has guided the team through numerous upheavals. The team managed to compile a 13-3 record and home field advantage. Unfortunately, the team could not capitalize on its regular season success as it lost in the Divisional round to Baltimore.

Despite the team’s record in 2008, there were several holes on the team; wide receiver, defensive tackle, corner and guard were all concerns after Free Agency in the off season. The team elected to address their long standing needs at wide receiver by drafting Kenny Britt from Rutgers and Dominique Edison from Stephen F. Austin. Both drafted receivers are big bodied players who look to use their size to their advantage. Britt is a physical player who should be able to handle the physical, run first style the Titans choose to employ. Britt is a big receiver, but he is by no means a lumbering player as he has the speed to stretch the field a bit as well. Free Agency saw the team sign Nate Washington as a complementary player to help fill out the unit. Both players should improve the unit substantially in 2009. The team did add Jared Cook also, and whilst a tight end, no one will confuse Cook for a run blocking specimen. Cook can stretch the field as he has the speed to match up well with safeties and is a very gifted receiving threat in the open field. The Titans look to have really improved their passing game with the additions outlined here.

Defensively, the team needed to add players to the mix along the front line after losing Albert Haynesworth in Free Agency. Jason Jones had been shifted inside on the depth chart but after the team signed Javon Haye and drafted Sen’Derrick Marks, he may resume his more natural defensive end position. Both Haye and Marks should be the future at the position with Haye having the leg up due to experience. There is not a great deal behind them other than wave players, but they are competent in their roles and fit the scheme well. Marks will need to work using his hands better to defeat blocks rather than simply firing off the ball up the field. He does play with a great deal of leverage, and can slide down the line well, but is still very raw in terms of technique.

Corner was another area of need and the team chose to wait a bit to fill out the unit with Ryan Mouton and Jason McCourty. Both players are a bit unheralded, and I am surprised the team elected to wait until the 3rd and 5th round respectively to try and provide help to the unit. Nick Harper is old, and although DeMarcus Faggins is competitive, he is not anywhere near the same level as Cortland Finnegan as starting material. The unit has more depth than it did previously, but I still see this area as concerning considering the division the Titans play in. Outside linebacker was also a bit of a need in terms of depth and building for the future and the team chose Gerald McRath from Southern Miss. McRath is a very thin player who needs to bulk up a great deal to play on the next level. He is fast in a straight line, but he does not break down and change directions well; allowing him to be beaten in the open field. He has stiff hips and may be exposed in the early stages of his career in man to man coverage situations. His speed is alluring, but he needs to do great deal of work.

The Titans did fill in some of the holes they had coming into the season, but left others unaffected. The offensive line received very little help other than late round additions. An aging Kevin Mawae could prove to be an issue as the season progresses. There is very little in terms of depth along the interior, and the Titans could be an injury away from having serious issues along the front. Troy Kropog is a work in progress, and Ryan Durand needs to become stronger at the point of attack. The Titans have done enough to remain competitive within the division, but I doubt they repeat their record from 2008.

Pre Draft Needs: WR, CB, DL, LB, OL