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With the NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror we take the Tennessee Titans "Off The Clock" with pick-by-pick analysis, the Bible's take and our grade.
(1-30) Kenny Britt, WR (Rutgers): Finally! The Titans have added a receiving threat for the ‘ol gunslinger Kerry Collins. The Rutgers product is a bit raw with his lack of consistency a legitimate concern, but the former Scarlet Knight has the tools to be a number one wide receiver on Sundays. He has prototypical size and strength, not to mention the fact that he plays faster than his 40-time.
(2-62) Sen’Derrick Marks, DT (Auburn): Marks has amazing quickness and lateral agility for a man of his dimensions. He does a good job of maintaining his balance against the run, but needs to improve his overall strength. The former Tiger could thrive as a rotational player. Still a bit raw with the need to add some strength, Marks has potential as a playmaker from the interior of the defensive line. The hope in Tennessee is that he can be a long-term replacement for the departed Albert Haynesworth.
(3-89) Jared Cook, TE (South Carolina): Cook is an athletic pass-catching tight end who is a fantastic target, even if he isn’t much of a blocker. Collins needs all the targets he can get so Cook may get thrown into the mix quickly. The Titans already have a bunch of good blockers on the team so it may not matter if Cook struggles in that aspect of the game. A player with great upside, Cook has the skills to be the most dangerous pass catching tight end in the league two or three years down the road. (Pick From New England)
(3-94) Ryan Mouton, CB (Hawaii): Mouton injured himself running the 40-yard dash both during the Combine and at Hawaii’s Pro Day, but plenty of scouts were still interested in this aggressive corner. Mouton is a willing participant in run support but is raw in much of his technique. This was a decent pick with plenty of upside, though it came a little early.
(4-130) Gerald McRath, LB (Southern Miss): McRath is a heck of an athlete with sideline-to-sideline range and good skills in coverage. However, he isn’t bulky, strong, or physical enough and on top of that, there are serious concerns about his durability. He does have some versatility and could add some weight to his frame. Should provide some depth and contribute down the road, with the potential to be starter. McRath also possesses great leadership skills and his outstanding locker room presence will be a plus.
(4-135) Troy Kropog, OT (Tulane): A very nice value selection, Kropog might be a little bit of a project but he’s also an excellent pass protector. He’s already technically sound and is a dedicated, hard-working guy who loves to compete. He’s got to work on his push in the run game, but was a solid pick who can contribute depth to start, but has the upside to be much more. (Compensatory Pick)
(5-173) Javon Ringer, RB (Michigan State): LenDale White might have been put on notice with this selection. Ringer plays bigger than he is, is very tough and has an amazing work ethic. Add to that good pass protection skills, an ability to catch and run routes well, good vision and instincts, and you can forget about his lack of above-average speed and lack of height. Ringer is a solid player who will add depth early on, and could develop into Mr. Inside to Chris Johnson’s Mr. Outside. (Compensatory Pick)
(6-203) Jason McCourty, CB (Rutgers): As is often the case, the Titans fell in love with a guy who has outstanding speed more than anything else. McCourty does have pretty good coverage skills, but gambles an awful lot, doesn’t jam well at the line, and may struggle against bigger wideouts at the NFL level. He can work on special teams as well. He possesses the potential—with proper coaching—to be a better pro than he was a college player.
(6-206) Dominique Edison, WR (Stephen F. Austin): Another speed guy, Edison possesses very good vertical ability, soft hands, and the ability to get separation. On the minus side, he’s not very elusive, doesn’t play particularly tough, and is still sharpening his route-running skills. While he is a project with upside, he isn’t a special teamer and that may make it harder for the Titans to find a spot for him during training camp. (Compensatory Pick)
(7-239) Ryan Durand, OG (Syracuse): Durand is a good, strong player that can block well and hold off linebackers. But while he’s okay in pass protection, he can have problems adjusting to players one-on-one. He’s a project—and a very bright one—that will at least add some depth along the line.
(7-242) Nick Schommer, FS (North Dakota State): Schommer is solid tackler who is good in run support and handles his coverage duties well. While he isn’t an intimidating hitter, he’s a tough player and that coupled with his ability to tackle well makes him a good candidate for special teams. (Compensatory Pick)
Team Needs: DT, WR, CB, OLB, MLB
Needs Filled: Four of five.
Bible’s Take: The Titans filled a bunch of their needs but as happens often with Tennessee, they focused on measurables. Still, they did a good job of mixing that up with targets that filled needs. They still have a big question mark at back-up quarterback and some of the defensive players they acquired were selected a tad early, but overall there was good value across the board. This was a draft that could look much better three or four years down the road if players like Britt, Marks, and Cook fulfill their vast potential.
Grade: B
Photo Credit: College Press Box (Rutgers), Michigan State Athletic Communications
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