While I was working on my analysis of the draft some thoughts occurred to me about next year's draft and the Titans trade of their 3rd round pick. It will be interesting to see if the Titans get any compensatory picks next year. Why do you say? Let's take a look
The exact formula for compensatory picks is super secret but generally speaking a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. NFL awards 2013 compensatory picks In order to receive a comp pick, the team must have lost a free agent and have not replaced that player with a quality free agent, based on salary, playing time and post season awards. The two players the Titans lost with the best free agent contracts are Jared Cook and Matt Hasselbeck. Sen'Derrick Marks signed with the Jags but his contract is for one year and 1.5 million (fully guaranteed). The Titans signed former Lions DT Sammie Lee Hill to a 3 year 11.4 million dollar contract that has 4 million guaranteed.
Jared Cook signed a 5 year 35.11 million dollar contract so he is the most likely candidate for a comp pick. His deal contains a 19 million dollar guarantee and he is clearly a player the Rams are looking to get playing time and production. They did draft Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey and Zac Stacy though so its certainly possible his potential production suffers for it.
By contrast, the Titans signed former San Francisco Forty Niner Delanie Walker (one of my free agent wishes) to a 4 year 17.5 million dollar deal with 8.6 million guaranteed. Despite the addition of Justin Hunter, Walker is certain to see a lot of playing time.
Matt Hasselbeck signed with the Colts on a 2 year 7.25 million dollar contract with 3 million guaranteed. Hasselbeck will be backing up incumbent Andrew Luck and if he sees significant playing time its bad news for the Colts and for Luck.
By contrast, the Titans signed former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick to a 2 year 6.5 million dollar contract with a base salary of 3.25 million. Given questions regarding Jake Locker's shoulder it is certainly possible Fitzpatrick could see playing time.
While there are still some free agents unsigned, it is highly unlikely anyone gets a contract worth considering. I think a good argument can be made that if the Titans do get a compensatory pick it is because of a failure of their free agency strategy
3 year player on the offensive line. Smart guy who earned academic honors at UTEP. Was on the 2012 Rimington Trophy Watch List for the nation's best center. Possible practice squad developmental player who could possibly make the squad in 2014 as a backup if Spencer and Velasco don't get an extension.
Turns out Regina is in Canada and Charles is one of 2 Canadiens being given a shot by the Titans. Projects more to DE and fits the mold of the bigger DE's the Titans want. Also being looked at for the CFL draft.
4 year player at WKU and started games at TE as a true rookie. 3 time captain for the Hilltoppers and was a good player earning first team All Sun Belt award. Also lettered in rugby in high school. Nice blend of blocking and receiving ability but not terribly fast. Could compete with Taylor Thompson for the 3 spot or make the squad as a 4th TE (the Titans have carried 4 before).
4 year letterman in football earning first team all league honors. Very productive junior year. Was considered a late round draft selection. Could compete with Jamie Harper for the 3rd RB spot.
This dude is a load and has played both guard and tackle. Was thought to be a late round draft pick. Long shot to make the roster but could due to lack of depth. Very good practice squad candidate as a developmental player.
Fits the Titans move toward heavier and stouter defensive lineman. Earned honorable mention all Big 12 honors in 2012. Has played both DT and DE and was highly productive in college. Could compete with Karl Klug for a rotational spot. Good candidate for the practice squad if he doesn't make the 53.
4 year player for Valdosta State and highly productive. Excels as a returner and could compete with late round selection Khalid Wooten and Daimion Stafford for a roster spot. Also has a blocked field goal on his resume. Quick elusive player.
This guy is fast posting a 4.34 40 at his pro day and also is a very good returner. Unfortunately, his catching skills are average but if he can fix that issue he could be a threat. Still, sheer numbers make it unlikely he will make the team.
Turns out McMaster is in Canada and Sewell is one of 2 Canadiens to be given a shot in the NFL this year by the Titans, joining Regina Rams player Stefan Charles. Sewell also has a shot to be drafted in the CFL so his situation bears watching.
Good college player who will need to prove himself on ST to make it in the league. Like Williard, will need to excel there to earn a spot but is likely a practice squad candidate.
The 2013 NFL Draft has come and gone and the Titans have added 8 drafted players to their roster, along with 14 undrafted free agents. This article with focus on the draft class but stay tuned for another article on the UFDA class. In addition, I am going to grade each Titans draft pick individually. So let's get to it!
ROUND 1 PICK #10: CHANCE WARMACK, OG ALABAMA
It is no secret I was an unabashed Chance Warmack fan girl from early on. I first began talking about him as a possible draft pick in November of 2012, and mocked him to the Titans in my first draft in January 2013. My draft blog on him explains why I love this pick and why I am giving the pick an A. Chance Warmack Pre Draft Blog
** Warmack is one of 5 team captains the Titans drafted in 2013
GRADE: A
ROUND 2 PICK #34: JUSTIN HUNTER WR THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
Easily the most controversial pick of the draft as the Titans traded their second round pick (#40), seventh round pick (#216), and next year's third round pick (TBD) to the San Francisco Forty Niners to move up 6 spots and draft former University of Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter.
As everyone probably knows I am a Vols fan but I don't typically advocate signing or drafting UT players just because they played for the Vols. Let's face it that pipeline has been clogged with fail for the most part. However, I love the Titans picking Hunter. Before he tore his ACL, Hunter was one of the best young wide receivers in college. A rather disappointing 2012 season, both personally and for the team, hurt his draft stock a little and there were questions regarding commitment but those were answered for me during the pre-draft process. Hunter excelled both at the combine and at his pro day at Tennessee. After drafting him the Titans revealed they had a first round draft grade on him and you can bet your last dollar they weren't the only one.
At 6' 4" and 196 Hunter will beef up and be a playmaker the Titans desperately need. While 2012 first round pick Kendall Wright showed flashes, the addition of Hunter will give Jake Locker another option in the passing game and will open up the field for other options as well, most notably new addition tight end Delanie Walker. Titans fans have reason to be excited about next year's offense as new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains should be able to take advantage of his new weapons.
** Hunter was one of 5 team captains the Titans drafted in 2013
ROUND 3 PICK #70: UCONN DB BLIDI WREH-WILSON (FOREVER AFTER BW3)
Prior to the draft the Titans expressed an interest in adding a cornerback to the squad who can play press coverage and after taking BW3 they said he could do it. Unfortunately, they also said they might later convert him to safety. I was prepared to like this pick even though I didn't think cornerback was a big need until the Titans indicated they weren't sure what position he would play.
For the record, I'm not a fan of drafting a guy fairly high with no plan on where you intend to play him. I'm fine with taking a cornerback in the 3rd round if you are convinced he is the press corner you desire, OR if you think he is the Darren Sharper (for the record he seems best suited to free safety to me) BUT I'm not a fan of a no plan pick at this range. We tried that approach with Michael Griffin and you see how well that worked out. I simply believe a 3rd round pick, especially a high 3rd round pick, should be the best available player at his position.
In any event, I do like BW3's potential and I am going to look at him at his natural position of cornerback. aT 6' 1" he is the tall rangy CB that is currently the rage right now and he has good speed. He was very productive in college with the only big knock on his being his arm tackling and inconsistent angles at times. The question I had with him prior to the draft was his hip flexion but hopefully trainers can work with him on that issue. He said he is comfortable with press coverage and has played it in the past.
** BW3 is one of 5 team captains the Titans drafted in 2013 GRADE: B- (DOWNGRADED DUE TO INCONSISTENCY BY THE TITANS ON HIS POSITION) (GRADED SOLEY AS A CB A SOLID B)
ROUND 3 PICK #97: ZAVIER GOODEN LB MISSOURI
Gooden is the second draft pick I identified and profiled as possible targets for the Titans and I'm human enough to admit that makes this one of my favorite picks. Although I was familiar with him from Mizzou's jump to the SEC, I didn't identify him as a possible draft pick until January of this year when I was scouting fellow teammate Sheldon Richardson. I instantly became a fan. Gooden is a playmaker in every sense of the word and his performance at the combine in April merely highlighted his incredible athleticism. He ran the fastest time of any LB at the combine at 4.47 (he says he has timed faster) and was the top performer in just about every category. Don't label this guy a workout worrier however his production in college easily matches his measurables. Zaviar Gooden Pre Draft Blog
** Gooden is one of 5 team captains the Titans drafted in 2013
GRADE: A
ROUND 4 PICK 107: BRIAN SCHWENKE C CALIFORNIA
I'm generally not a fan of the Titans drafting a fella whose hair is better than mine but for Schwenke I will make an exception because he has my favorite last name in this draft. Oh, and he is probably the best center in this draft class too. The Titans revealed he was their number 1 ranked center after they selected him. Sckwenke is a load at 6' 3" and 314 and can play both guard and center. He really excelled at the Senior Bowl and looks to be maybe one of the Titans best steals of the draft. For a team that really needed to rebuild its offensive line, this is a great value pick.
** Schwenke was one of 5 team captains selected by the Titans in 2013
ROUND 5 PICK 142: LAVAR EDWARDS
LSU defensive end Lavar Edwards had the unfortunate task of trying to beat out fellow draftees Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery for playing time. A rotational DE for the Tigers, Edwards still managed to put up decent stats and showed why the Titans drafted him in the 5th round. Despite playing in a situational role,
Edwards still managed to register 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for a loss. At 6' 4" and 277 the Titans have indicated he fits their profile of "sturdier" defensive linemen. He is also a guy who can play both RDE and LDE which is exactly what the Titans need. Edwards could end up being another steal of the draft.
In the 6th round the Titans took another cornerback and one who looks to possibly compete for the return position. At 5' 11" and 210, Wooten has been described as an average athlete but his college production cannot be denied. He had 4 interceptions in the 2011 season. He also ran an impressive 4.47 40 at his pro day. He lettered also in track in high school. There were rumbles he might move to safety but Wooten says they told him they expect him to play corner.
GRADE: A (assuming they don't tinker with his position)
ROUND 7 PICK 248: DAIMION STAFFORD SS NEBRASKA
I have seen 7th round pick Daimion Stafford listed as both a FS and a SS but he seems more suited to the SS position so that is where I will evaluate him. At 6' 0" and 221, Stafford has a good mixture of size, speed and agility. A highly sought after JUCO prospect, Stafford chose Nebraska where he was highly productive in his 2 years at Nebraska putting up impressive numbers and earning first team All Big Ten honors by the media, and second team All Big Ten by the coaches. If he matches his production with the Titans he will also be a steal of a pick along the lines of Cortland Finnegan.
