Tennessee Titans: Recovering from Ruston Webster
By P. L. Colter
Ruston Webster’s first ever draft pick was Kendall Wright, who was taken with the 20th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 draft. While a defensive end / edge rusher was the team’s most pressing need, Webster selected the wide receiver out of Baylor.
Wright had a promising start to his career, co-leading all rookies in receptions (64) his first year. He followed that up with a 94 catch, 1,079 yard performance in 2013. But in 2014 Wright started to decline, as defenses caught up to his freelance style of play.
Wright’s numbers dropped to 54 catches for 715 yards that season, and he regularly drew the ire of head coach / offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt for not running routes the way the play designed.
Wright vowed to turn things around in 2015, but his numbers slipped again to a career low 36 receptions for 425 yards. Yes, injuries played a part as they caused him to miss six games, but he averaged a paltry 3 receptions a game when he was healthy and on the field.
Today, Wright enters the offseason as the number three receiver at best, presumably behind Dorial Green-Beckham and newly acquired Rishard Matthews.
Not exactly what you would expect from your first round pick.
Linebacker Zach Brown was Webster’s second draft pick, taken with the 52nd overall pick (2nd round). He is now in Buffalo after the Titans let him walk via free agency this offseason. That’s saying something given Tennessee’s need for linebacker depth in a 3-4 scheme.
Mike Martin (DT, 3rd round) and Coty Sensabaugh (CB, 4th round) are no longer Titans as well, and not by their choice. They are now playing for other teams.
No need to discuss the 5th, 6th, and 7th round picks as they are no longer in the league. All and all, a horrible inaugural draft for Webster.
Next: Webster's 2013 draft