Tennessee Titans: Potential Round 2 Candidates, 2014 NFL Draft
Dec 7, 2013; Fresno, CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass against the Utah State Aggies in the second quarter at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt gave his best remaining prospects list following Round 1 of the 2014 NFL Draft (LINK). Totaltitans.com compiled a list of “reported” (not comprehensive) pre-draft visits and workouts from the Tennessee Titans (LINK).
What does this mean for Round 2-3? It may give fans an idea of who the Titans could target at No. 42. As the Titans didn’t trade down in Round 1, No. 42 would give them one last opportunity to trade down and re-acquire the third-round pick that was sacrificed in the Justin Hunter trade. If they pick at No. 42, the only other ways they could re-acquire that pick are A – trading a future pick to get a current third-round pick, B – trading a current player, C – combination of A and B, D – trade a player plus a Day 3 pick.
Let’s look at some players whom the team may consider during Day 2. Analysis comes from Brandt:
Derek Carr, Quarterback, Fresno State
"Carr (6-foot-2 3/8, 214 pounds) is the type of player a team might trade up to get if he drops to the bottom of Round 1. He has a very strong arm, which is a plus if you play outdoors in cold-weather cities late in the year. In the past two years he had 87 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions, with a 67 percent completion rate. He ran the 40 in 4.65 seconds at the combine and had a very good pro day in March."
Ra’Shede Hageman, Defensive Lineman, Minnesota
"Hageman (6-foot-5 7/8, 310 pounds) has size, power and explosion but lacks consistency, otherwise he would be ranked higher. He might be too tall to play defensive tackle in the NFL but is good enough to convert to end. At the combine, he ran the 40 in a hand-timed 4.97 seconds. He has 34 1/4-inch arms and posted 32 reps in the bench press."
Timmy Jernigan, Defensive Lineman, Florida State
"A three-year player, Jernigan (6-foot-1 5/8, 299 pounds) played as a true freshman in 2011 and started two games in 2012. His quickness allows him to be a very disruptive player, although he is better vs. the run. His hand-held 40 times at the combine were 4.93 and 5.09 seconds."
Jimmy Garoppolo, Quarterback, Eastern Illinois
"Garoppolo (6-foot-2 1/4, 226 pounds) had 53 touchdown passes in 2013. He has good arm strength to go with good accuracy and vision. He’s also a very hard worker who is tough — he played linebacker in high school."
Jordan Matthews, Wide Receiver, Vanderbilt
"Matthews (6-foot-3 1/8, 212 pounds) had 206 receptions for 2,800 yards over the past two years. He has great ball skills and should catch a lot of passes to move the chains, and no one will outwork him. He ran the 40 in a hand-held time of 4.40 seconds at the combine."
Jeremy Hill, Running Back, LSU
"Hill (6-0 5/8, 233 pounds) is a big back with speed, quickness and power. He worked out very well at his pro day, looking good catching the ball and running the 40-yard dash in a hand-timed 4.53 seconds. He’s had some off-the-field troubles, but his coaches say he’s a good young man."
Carlos Hyde, Running Back, Ohio State
"Hyde (5-foot-11 7/8, 230 pounds) ran for 1,521 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, averaging 7.3 yards per carry. He’s a power runner who has the quickness needed to be successful in the NFL. He ran the 40 in a hand-timed 4.62 seconds at the combine and had 19 bench-press reps."
Tre Mason, Running Back, Auburn
"Mason (5-foot-8 1/2 207 pounds) has outstanding quickness for his position; that was the trait that made Tony Dorsett so good. Mason gained 2,818 yards the past two years and scored 31 TDs. The only question is whether he can be effective on blitz protection. At the combine he ran a hand-timed 4.4-second 40 and 38 1/2-inch vertical. This ranking assumes his wrist checks out medically."
Zach Mettenberger, Quarterback, LSU
"N/A"
My Take: Of those nine players, my favorites are Ra’Shede Hageman, Jordan Matthews, or a running back.
Brandt’s Top 10 Remaining
- Kony Ealy, Defensive End / Outside Linebacker, Missouri
- Marqise Lee, Wide Receiver, USC
- Cyrus Kouandjio, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
- Derek Carr, Quarterback, Fresno State
- Xavier Su’a-Filo, Guard, UCLA
- Stephon Tuitt, Defensive Lineman, Notre Dame
- Ra’Shede Hageman, Defensive Lineman, Minnesota
- Morgan Moses, Offensive Tackle, Virginia
- Timmy Jernigan, Defensive Lineman, Florida State
- Louis Nix III, Nose Tackle, Notre Dame
My Take: Of those 10 players, my favorites are Kony Ealy, Marqise Lee, and Ra’Shede Hageman.