Senior Bowl practice comment

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Senior Bowl practice comment

Senior Bowl Game

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

B-

2009 COLLEGE DRAFT REPORT CARD

by Jay Goldberg

The Titans had a solid draft.  I would have liked their draft better if the secured a pass rusher and stronger defensive tackle than Marks, but all-in-all they added some interesting pieces.  My favorite pick was Javon Ringer, but with the  running backs on the Titans, he may not see the field much.  As far as street free agents are concerned, most of the players the Titans' signed are for camp depth, however, they did sign two players who could be long-term contributors in Guice and King.

DRAFT PICKS

I had a high second round grade on Britt so selecting him late in round one is fine.  Britt is a strong, big target with long arms, but at times, has inconsistent hands.  However, I would have been very tempted to draft defensive tackle Ziggy Hood at this spot and gone wide receiver (Derrick Williams for example) in round two.  One reason is that I am still high on Hawkins, a player who is much better in game situations than on the practice field.  However, Hawkins is a player quarterbacks have to trust since he turns small separation into incredible caches.

In my long experience evaluating the draft, one scenario that has the most risk of failure is the defensive lineman who looks the part, plays very well on film at times, but has poor strength as measured by bench press numbers.  Marks lifted the bar only 16 times.  Mouton, the 5'9" corner selected by Tennessee lifted the bar 18 times. This doesn't mean Marks won't hit the weight room to gain more strength and succeed, just that there is a higher probability that he will not cut it then some other players available at this spot.  So, if I didn't go Hood in round one, my selection here would have been defensive tackle Roy Miller.  Miller is a a very strong, fast, all-out type who had 5.5 sacks his senior year and an excellent week at the Senior Bowl. 

The speedy Cook was a very interesting and solid pick by Tennessee.  With the speed and running ability of Johnson, teams that move a safety into the box will now have to worry about Cook getting deep down the middle, beating the free safety for a big play.  There are certain players that are more valuable because of the makeup of lineup and this is such a case.  Cook may not even be the starting tight end, but he will play enough to have some key plays both for himself and opening things up for others.

Mouton is a short, athletic corner who will be a contributor for the Titans in nickel and dime packages.  He is a solid player.  However, the taller, just as athletic Keenan Lewis would have been my pick here at corner because of a higher upside.  Lewis has the potential to be a very good starting cornerback in the NFL.  If I was the GM here, however, looking at the depth at cornerback in the draft, and the needs (in my opinion) for the Titans, I would have drafted the speedy sacker Lawrence Sidbury Jr. at this spot.  Worst case, he would be a nickel rusher.  However, at 266 pounds, I believe he will grow into a two-way player at end.

McRath is another speed guy drafted by the Titans.  He will be a core special teams player and could form two-thirds of a speedy/athletic future linebacking unit with Keglar in the future.

Kropog is a big kid who has trouble blocking against speed rushers.  In my scenario, after passing on the corner in round three, I would have grabbed Macho Harris here.  I have Harris rated more highly than Mouton anyway.

Ringer was one of my favorite players in the draft.  I had a second round grade on him.  It wouldn't surprise me if the Titans eventually trade White and use Ringer as the change-of-pace back with Johnson.  Ringer has tremendous quickness and cutting ability.  While short he is strong for his size and runs well inside.  Last year the mid-round running back who I thought would pay big dividends was Tashard Choice.  He faced long odds to see the field in Dallas, but injuries got him on the field, and he proved me right.  Ringer is in the same position this year, but if given a chance, he will prove me right as well.

There were a number of corners at this spot I liked better than McCourty (Lankster, Mickens).  However, his speed and athleticism are impressive and I wouldn't be surprised if the Titans' know something I don't with this player.  He certainly has the skill set to be a special teams terror.  That said, if I passed on the tackle Kropog in round four, I would have jumped at the chance to draft offensive tackle Murtha here.  Murtha has as impressive credentials for his position, as McCourty does for his.  His 4.82 forty was the best in my list of tackle prospects (in fact, the next best was 4.96); his 4.34 short shuttle was also the best (4.50 was next best); his 7.06 three-cone was the best (7.27 was next best); and his other numbers weren't too shabby either.

Wide receivers who are 6'2' and run a 4.4 forty don't grow on trees so Edison was worth a look in round six.  He also caught 64 balls and had 17 touchdowns his senior year.  He could be a priority signing to the Titans' development squad.

Durand was excellent value in round seven. He was my 14th rated guard.  Durand has good tools and can be developed to be, at worst, a solid backup.  Durand was a nice get late in the draft.

Schommer may have a difficult time making the team.  His value on special teams will determine if he sticks more than his potential down the road to play in the base defense.  However (fans of the teams being analyzed must hate when they see this word in my write-ups), they missed an opportunity to bring a very underrated talent into the fold here.  Derek Pegues not only is a better safety prospect, but a terrific return man. 

 COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Wide receiver Guice is built like, and has similar speed to Edison, but is quicker and more athletic.  The difference is that Edison has more production in college.  However, Guice looked very good in the Texas vs. Nation College All Star Game.  It wouldn't surprise me if Guice passed Edison on the Titans' depth chart in camp.

King was one of my favorite players that did not get drafted.  I both understand and don't understand why.  The kid is an undersized defensive tackle.  However, when he is on the field he is always around the ball.  After his workout, I thought he would be targeted by 3-4 teams to play end.  His measureables were solid, his effort unquestioned, and his on-field production was impressive.  On the Titans' King will be a versatile backup and special teams player (how's that for confidence in a UFA making the team).  He could play end on running downs, be an inside rusher on passing downs, and a staple on special teams.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

All in all the Titans draft was excellent, albeit a bit schizophrenic.  Hawkins and Keglar were among the best steals in the entire draft.  Johnson was perhaps the boldest move of round one (and a move I loved).  However, Hayes was a head-scratcher and Stevens is solid but drafted a bit too high in my opinion.  Also, I'm not sure if any of the college street free agents will earn a roster spot.

DRAFT PICKS

Johnson was a great pick in round one and a player the Cowboys will regret passing on big time.  Johnson has great speed and is a terrific receiver.  He can catch out of the backfield, from the slot and even line up wide.  He could be a big time wide receiver in the NFL.  However, that is not necessary.  He is also a good runner.  While primary looked at as an outside runner, Johnson will be effective running inside as well in time.  He will start off as a part time player, but could evolve into a Brian-Westbrook-type of player down the line.

Jones caught my eye big time in the post-season.  He will not be a big-time sacker, but will be effective playing the run.  The second round may have been a little high for him but if Kearse proves to no longer be a full time player, Jones could play the early downs while Kearse comes in to rush the passer.

Stevens comes in with the rep of being an excellent blocker who also has reliable hands.  He did show better speed in workouts than I thought he had sop I'm willing to give this pick a thumbs up even though he went a round earlier than where I had him graded.

Hayes was a reach.  I know he moved up after his workout, but is at best a one-dimensional pass-rushing end.  Even though Hayes has more size, I liked Marcus Howard much better as a pass rushing specialist.

Hawkins is one of my two favorite receivers in this draft (Avery was the other).  All you have to do is look at some of the report cards for other teams to see where I indicated they made a mistake by not grabbing this talented kid.  Hawkins has great hands and makes unbelievable catches.  He will outperform his workout numbers and has the best chance to be a number one receiver of all the receivers in this draft based on a combination of skills and opportunity.  He doesn't have great speed and quickness, however, so Young will have to learn to trust him and throw into tight windows and allow him to make plays.

Keglar was the second of two exceptional picks in a row.  He is possibly the best athlete among all linebackers in this draft.  While he is penciled in at WILL because of his sideline to sideline speed, he could be a tremendous SAM because he is very strong, extremely quick and has great change of direction skills.  I look for him to push Thornton to start this year.  Worst case while he waits his turn to start, he will be a terror on special teams.

Williams has a nice combination of height and speed and is an ideal developmental prospect.  Look for him to land on the Titans' practice squad.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Cuff is a versatile athlete who could stick on the Titans' practice squad.

Little is a talented, but undersized, running back.  He injured his knee at the Senior Bowl and will spend the year on the injured list.  Next year he will come to camp and could win a spot as a backup.  He is a good return man, a good receiver, and an effective change-of-pace runner.

Rivers has good size and hands, but is not a burner and is a long shot to make the team.  He is another candidate for the practice squad.

Scott is fairly new to center and looked good in Texas versus the Nation practices.  He is a candidate for the practice squad.

Velasco is a tough kid who could surprise in camp and push for a backup spot on the roster.  More likely, however, he will battle Scott for a spot on the practice squad.