Tennessee Titans: Changing the 2008 1st Round Pick
Dec 30, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) during warm up prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
What if the Tennessee Titans had a shot to go back in time and change their 2008 1st round draft pick? That’s the question that PFF asks this week while asking the same of the other 31 teams in the NFL.
"24. Chris Johnson, HB, Tennessee TitansKey Stat: 2,031. The number of yards Johnson managed in 2009.Notes: When you have a talent like Johnson, you can be scared to take him off the field. At times that has been to everyone’s detriment, with the speedster still not particularly useful in passing situations. What’s more, he’s the kind of player that needs a certain amount of help from his guys up front, and when that hasn’t come he’s looked extremely ordinary. Overall, 2009 seems such a long time ago.Re-Draft: You’d like to add a pass rusher somewhere but this draft just doesn’t have someone capable of doing that. So, playing it safe, I’d take Pierre Garcon.Grade:+1.0"
Would you take WR Pierre Garçon over RB Chris Johnson? I would not. While Garçon has had a decent career, he’s not the special player CJ is. While CJ hasn’t been the same crazy playmaker for the Titans the past few years, he still has that quality.
Also, when PFF says Johnson hasn’t been particularly useful in passing situations, I shake my head. Here’s a fun little comparison for you between Johnson and Garçon:
CAREER RECEPTIONS
JOHNSON: 320
GARÇON: 323
While Johnson has struggled with some drops, he obviously has been a great asset to the Titans. There have been a few seasons where Johnson was the Titans leading rusher while also leading the team in receptions.
Johnson has struggled the past few years, but I’ll take the RB who has consistently broken 1,000 yards rushing his entire career to the WR who has never had 1,000 yards receiving.
How about you?
You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart