Titan Sized
FanSided

Tennessee Titans addressed all of their primary needs in draft

By Jacob Lehnowsky

Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back Adoree' Jackson (2) warms up prior to the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive back Adoree' Jackson (2) warms up prior to the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Titans were able to draft all of their primary needs and add some dynamic play makers

With all the anticipation for the 2017 Draft, sadly it is done and over with. Going through the Tennessee Titans needs, they had eight selections to start with and at least five major needs to fill.

  • Cornerback
  • Wide Receiver
  • Tight end
  • Inside linebacker
  • Edge rusher

Each day of the draft, the Titans were able to select players that fit their needs but also find players that fit what can be defined as the Titan mold.

The top two needs were taken care of with the selection of Corey Davis and Adoree’ Jackson at picks 5 and 18. Both players were productive at their respective schools and could easily be impactful players from day one. I talked about my instant reaction of the day one selections in my prior article.

The next two days were still unknowns as to how the Titans would go about drafting and filling these needs. Throughout the entire draft process, experts had deemed this draft a very deep defensive draft, but as we watched, the Titans went all offense on day two. The Titans selected both a wide receiver and tight end, two needs as stated above that they were successfully able to fill. The Titans added another dynamic playmaker in Taywan Taylor out of Western Kentucky. Over the last two years at Western Kentucky, Taylor had over 3,100 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns. Taylor is a versatile player who provides another nice weapon for the Titans offense.

With their second selection on that day, the Titans selected Jonnu Smith, tight end out of FIU, filling another need. After doing a little research, Smith is almost a carbon copy of the Titans stud tight end, Delanie Walker. Smith had a very productive career at FIU, hauling in 178 catches, 2001 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. These statistics were the most by a tight end in school history, which screams this man can produce. Jon Robinson has stated he wants production at any level.

More from Titan Sized

At the beginning of day three, only edge rusher and inside linebacker were the remaining major needs for the Titans. They started with Jayon Brown, the versatile linebacker from UCLA. Brown’s main strength is his ability to cover and he can be a situational player in nickel or dime. The Titans were in need of an inside linebacker who can cover a tight end.

Teams are always looking for swing/back-up lineman, and they were able to grab two on day three. Corey Levin, a guard out of Chattanooga, and Brad Seaton, a tackle out of Villanova. Levin, a four year starter who can play either tackle or guard, is a physical player who fits the Titans offense. Levin will come into camp being able to compete at the guard position, but mostly will be a good depth for the Titans to have. Seaton was a three year starter at Villanova and has the ability to compete for the swing tackle role. Based on need ranking, I would have to put depth at the offensive line as a secondary need but an important one nonetheless.

Still with one large need left to fill, edge rusher, the Titans were able to find a quality player in Josh Carraway from TCU. Carraway was a three year starter and obtained 17 sacks in his last two years. He will be a great depth player and hopefully be able to develop into a rotational player for the Titans.

Lastly, with their final selection in the draft, the Titans were able to add another playmaker for the offense, Khalfani Muhammad, a running back out of Cal. Muhammad ran a 4.38 forty yard dash at his pro day and is a total game changer at the position. Muhammad is another player that can be a returner.  Though running back was a secondary need for the Titans, they were able to select another dynamic player.

Overall, the Titans were able to draft players to cover their primary needs, but also were able to draft a few secondary needs as well. This offseason, the Titans needed to add speed and playmakers. I think we can say they accomplished that goal.

Home/Titans Draft