Tennessee Titans 2013 Draft Class: An Overview

Apr 26, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans first round draft choice Chance Warmack (left) hugs head coach Mike Munchak (right) following a press conference at Baptist Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The 2013 NFL Draft has come to a close so let’s take a quick look at what the Tennessee Titans did as a whole:

Round 1 – Chance Warmack, OG,  Alabama

Round 2 – Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

Round 3 – Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, UConn

Round 3 – Zaviar Gooden, OLB, Missourri

Round 4 – Brian Schwenke, C, California

Round 5 – Lavar Edwards, DE, LSU

Round 6 – Khalid Wooten, CB, Nevada

Round 7 – Daimion Stafford, SS, Nebraska

The Titans made a lot of people happy by picking up Alabama guard Chance Warmack in the first round.  Not the least of which was Chris Johnson:

It seems that their commitment to addressing the offensive line and making things a little easier for Jake Locker has continued.  Munchak later said that Warmack was the Titans #2 rated player on their board in general.  That’s a great pull at the 10th spot overall.

Next came the surprising move in day 2 of picking up Justin Hunter.  The Titans later said that Hunter was their #1 rated wide receiver on their board, and were scared he wouldn’t last to 10.  They moved up in a trade with the 49ers by giving them a 2014 3rd round pick, the 40th overall, as well as their 7th round pick of this year.  It’s an interesting comment considering Patterson and Tavon Austin were highly regarded as the best wide receivers in the draft, but I honestly believe them.  Hunter may not have the raw attributes that Patterson has, but is probably more ready and polished to play day one in the NFL.  He’s a great route runner with good top end speed that can get down the field.

The Titans finally began to address the leagues worst defense in the 3rd round with two picks.  CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson was the first pick and will instantly compete with Tommie Campbell on the outside.  Hopefully this forces Campbell to get his head right, or either Wreh-Wilson is head and shoulders better.  Either way, the Titans really need a strong outside corner so Verner can move inside to the nickel position where he excels.  Wreh-Wilson is a big corner that can play press or zone coverage.

With the second pick in the 3rd round, the Titans picked up a Zach Brown clone in Zaviar Gooden.  A fast weak side linebacker that plays great in coverage.  Does this mean the Titans will play more 3-4 than previously thought?  By not obsessing over the DE spot like many of the fans, it looks more and more like this could be the case.

Munchak snagged another offensive lineman with their 4th round selection in Brian Schwenke.  GM Ruston Webster and Munchak both made a point to say Schwenke was their top rated center in the draft, higher than the Cowboys first round pick, Travis Frederick.  Schwenke plays with a self proclaimed “mean streak” and will be a welcome addition to competition on the offensive front.  Between Velascoe and Schwenke, the Titans should have a great starting center with a very solid backup that can also play guard.  I do wonder if the Titans would have taken Alex Okafor had the Cardinals not taken him 4 spots earlier.

The fans finally got their defensive end in the fifth round in Lavar Edwards.  The position had been picked over by this point, but according to Mel Kiper, the Titans hit a homerun with this pick.

Edwards is 6’4″ and 274 lbs.  The benefit to Edwards is his capability to play end in either a 4-3 or 3-4 as well.  Expect him to contribute early as he is a stout run defender ad sheds blocks well.  Something Jerry Gray has been adamant about.

In the final two rounds of the draft, the Titans continued to add depth for the defensive backs.  Khalid Wooten is regarded as a “tweener” that can play corner or free safety.  With the current number of corners on the roster already, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in camp working out with Michael Griffin and George Wilson.  Their final pick Daimion Stafford could be a junior version of new free agent acquisition Bernard Pollard.  Stafford “brings the wood” when he plays and is better in the box than in coverage.

Quick Notes:

• The Titans used 3 of their 8 selections on the secondary and 2 on the offensive line.
• Either the value wasn’t there, or the Titans don’t view DE as much of a need as the fans.
• Mike Munchak later said they got their #1 guard, #1 center, and #1 wide receiver on their board.
• With 3 free agent signings and 2 high draft picks, the Titans have created a wealth of competition on the offensive line.

There will be some more in depth break down on all of these picks in the weeks to come and how the Titans are planning to move forward this year.  Stayed tuned and we’ll try our best to get you through the “off season” here at Titan Sized.

For Titans articles and talk, you can find me on Twitter  @gunnelsj