Grading the Draft: Tennessee Titans edition
Sports Ruckus writer Jesse Peel has graded the entire AFC South, and some Titans fans might not like his grading, but he has some very valid points. Let’s see what the Titans finished with.
Draft Needs: DL, RB, WR, CB
Key Additions: LB Wesley Woodyard (three years, $15.75 million), OT Michael Oher (four years, $20 million), WR Dexter McCluster (three years, $9 million), DE Shaun Phillips (two years, $6 million),
Key Losses: CB Alterraun Verner (Tampa Bay), RB Chris Johnson (cut), QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Houston), WR Kenny Britt (St. Louis)
Two questions-how cool is that logo above and did I really list Ryan Fitzpatrick as a “key loss”? Blame it on the a-a-a-a-a alch…no, just kidding readers. Sorry Jamie Fox…and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Don’t sue me. So the Titans think they have their QB-or at least want to give him a little longer to prove or hang himself. So with their first pick they took big #77 to protect him-offensive tackle Taylor Lewan from Michigan. Full disclosure: I’m a Michigan fan so I’ve watched plenty of snaps and may be a bit biased. Strong, nasty (something that you can’t teach), athletic and will probably be a starter for years to come. Quite honestly, I thought they would draft LSU WR Odell Beckham seeing that they lost troubled WR Kenny Britt but I really can’t fault them for drafting Lewan. The pick is not caviar but can’t argue with meat and potatoes (have I eaten dinner yet? It’s like 10pm). Second round pick RB Bishop Sankey out of the same alma mater as Jake Locker is the more intriguing pick. Not 4th grade lunch “what is that?” intriguing but “this could REALLY pay off” intriguing. 5’9”, 203 but plays stronger than that. Great hands for an RB which makes him versatile. He has average speed and needs to improve on his pass protection but with the NFL weight regiment and coaching he can be a diamond in the rough. DT Daquan Jones can be Kendrick Ellis 2.0 and that’s what this team could use in the middle. The overall steal of the draft is QB Zach Mettenberger from LSU. Take away the knee ACL injuries and you have 1st or 2nd round talent. TOUCHDOWN TITANS!!
Draft Grade: B+
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