Titan draft class lacks playmakers
What do you get when you draft a running back, defensive tackle, tight end, defensive end, defensive back, wide receiver and a linebacker? A much improved practice squad.
That’s pretty much what the Titans got after the 2008 NFL draft was finished. Expect for two or three of the Titans’ choices this year, I don’t expect to see many of these picks making much of an impact on the team this season.
The Titans drafted seven players over the weekend and signed three undrafted free agents Sunday night. I think the first two picks surprised everyone, with East Carolina running back Chris Johnson being the Titans’ first choice and defensive tackle Jason Jones from Eastern Michigan going to Tennessee in the second round.
Evidently a running back was a top priority for the Titans, as they didn’t waste any time in selecting Johnson. But was it the right choice at the right time? Maybe so.
Tennessee is a team in much need of speed and a big playmaker. Johnson, with a little polishing, could step in and take over the role ‘Pacman’ played for the Titans.
A player who is capable of breaking away with his 4.2 speed and who can go back on kickoffs and punt returns, with the possibility of a big return, is something the Titans have lacked over the past two seasons.
Johnson has a compact running style, and from what all the experts say does a good job as a pass receiver out of the slot. That’s definitely something Vince Young could use some help with.
So what is the biggest thing Johnson brings to the table? His quickness and versatility.
Johnson does have a few weaknesses. First, is his size. If he’s going to make it in the NFL he’s going to have to add some muscle to his small frame. He’s not going to break many tackles up the middle, but then again, I suspect the Titans are going to get him the ball on the outside as much as possible.
The one things the Titans don’t need is someone who turns the ball over and looking back at his college stats, he’s been known to cough the ball up every now and then. Overall I guess he was a safe pick.
Titan fans were hoping the club would get Young some quality receivers to throw to. They addressed that issue, but I’m not sure if any of them will contribute.
Jason Rivers, a receiver from Hawaii, was signed as a free agent, as was the big tight end from California, Craig Stevens, who will probably end up doing more pass protection than receiving for Tennessee.
But fans have high hopes that teammate wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins will become a big playmaker for Young and the Titans.
Hawkins ended up being part of the ‘Pacman’ deal with the Cowboys. He’s not very big and doesn’t possess great speed. But he is deceptive and knows how to come up with the ball in big games; in other words, he knows how to play his position.
Hawkins has the potential to become a solid target for Young. He’s very athletic with large soft hands, only time will tell if he’s cut out to make it in the NFL.
Let’s just hope he’s not another Tyrone Calico, a man with lots of ability that didn’t know how to us it.
I guess if I’m going to give the Titans a grade on the draft it would have to be a C- with the possibility of a C+ if graded on a curve.
As far as sending players to the next level, it seems USC had the most players drafted with a total of 10. Vanderbilt and Tennessee each had three players drafted, while MTSU and TSU sent one player each to the NFL.
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