The TITANS enter year two of the VRABEL/ROBINSON regime, after posting the teams third straight 9-7 record. It’s always nice to have a winning record, but restless fans in Nashville want more… as in a Play-Off run. They arguably have enough talent to fight for a Wild Card spot, but they go into the Draft needing to plug a few holes, (several of them major). Their 6 Draft Picks will only allow them to plug some of those needs, but GM Robinson seems to do a solid job with personnel. At least they have 6 Picks this year, not the paltry 4 of last year’s draft.
Round 1, Pick 19
DEXTER LAWRENCE DT CLEMSON 6’5/342 PP#21
Many folks think the team needs to draft an edge-rusher early to replace BRIAN ORAKPO, but they drafted HAROLD LANDRY last year and recently signed CAMERON WAKE away from Miami in VFA. I look at their D and say, where’s the beef. LAWRENCE is a physical specimen, who has incredible bulk, but is also athletic. Don’t forget his 40-time of 5.05 at the Combine, at over 340 lbs. He’s a HALOTI NGATA type talent, and will anchor that front. Lawrence’s biggest fan in all of Tennessee might end up being JURRELL CASEY, playing alongside this mountain of a man. It’s good value at the Pick, and a potential game changer for their run D.
Round 2, Pick 51
CHRIS LINDSTROM OG BOSTON COLLEGE 6’4/305 PP#55
Now let’s bolster the other side of the line-of-scrimmage. LINDSTROM basically started for 4 years at Chestnut Hill. He is athletic, strong, and has a mean streak. He has enough athleticism to have played out at OT at times for the Eagles. He has tackle length arms at 34 1/8″, and a solid anchor to hold his spot. The OL might be better with KEVIN PAMHPILE around as primarily a back-up OT, and LINDSTROM being the guy to replace VFA SPAIN at RG. This would be a solid value guy at the Pick, who fills another basic need.
Round 3, Pick 82
DAMIEN HARRIS RB ALABAMA 5’10/216 PP#86
The tandem of LEWIS/HENRY ended up being quite effective last season, especially late, when HENRY started to look like his old Heisman self at ‘Bama. But one has to be a bit concerned when counting too much on LEWIS, who is an elusive, good hands guy, but has an extensive injury history as a pro. HARRIS was a steady, do-it-all Back for Nick Saban, who can run, catch, and block. HARRIS averaged 6.0/per carry for the Tide, and caught 50 passes over his career. He should have some tread left on those tires/legs with only 466 total carries over the past 4 years. This guy has leadership qualities, and should be a solid locker room guy for the Titans.
Round 4, Pick 121
FOSTER MOREAU TE LSU 6’4/250 PP#123
Over the last two years, the TITANS have lost their two best blocking TE’s in SUPERNAW and STOCKER. MOREAU’s top attribute is his blocking. He’s your classic inline battler, who is absolutely golden on short yardage and red zone blocking. He also progressed as a receiver for the Bayou Bengals. He caught 22 balls last season, and shows natural hands, (9 7/8″), for catching. He will run through a few tackles after the catch. He’s a tough kid with a battling attitude. He might also be used as a FB on the goal line. A decent athlete is what you look for in an inline TE, and MOREAU fits that bill.
Round 5, Pick 157
JORDAN JONES LB KENTUCKY 6’2/234 PP#171
Last Fall, this young man was looked at as a sleeper prospect who might be a strong candidate to serve as a Nickel-Backer/SS hybrid player. However, he bulked up to full LB size and his prospect ranking seemed to fade. However, he got my attention again with a 4.62/40-time at the Combine, at his 234 lb. weight. One also has to keep in mind that Coach Stoops has seriously upgraded the talent level of his Wildcat recruits in recent years. JONES looks to have enough talent for HC VRABEL and DC PEES to coach him up into a solid pro player. His size/speed numbers also make me think he’s a prospect for a good amount of Special Teams work.
Round 7, Pick 233
JAZZ FERGUSON WR NORTHWESTERN STATE 6’5/227 PP#247
A former star recruit at LSU, FERGUSON ran into academic problems and failed some drug tests. After a redshirt season, he stepped up to post big numbers at Northwestern State in 2018, with 66 catches for 1,117 yards and 13 TD’s. He put up solid numbers at the Combine, including a 4.45/40 at almost 230 lbs. The tools are undeniable, but he will be answering a whole lot of questions in interviews before Draft weekend rolls around. Is he worth the risk for this Pick? He would bring size to their WR group, which is currently missing.
It’s not a bonanza of a Draft haul, but then again, it’s a damn site better than 4 Picks last year. IMO, this group of players would upgrade the overall talent on the roster, especially at some positions of need right now.
Pigskin
