Tennessee Titans 2010 Draft Review

Another typical Titans' draft:  they bring in young, hard-working players to replace veterans with whom they have parted ways. Derrick Morgan is an excellent value and has the lowest bust potential of all the highly rated defensive ends. Damian Williams and Rennie Curran will be expected to upgrade their respective positions. The rest of the picks are developmental players who the Titans are famous for trying to stash away on their practice squad.


Round 1, Pick 16
Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

Ht:  6’ 3” Wt: 266

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The Titans were in desperate need of pass rush help.  Morgan was the most accomplished 4-3 defensive end available.  With his high motor and great character, he should be a welcomed addition to the team.

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Is not flashy. More of an effort producer than a skill producer, but offers very intriguing versatility and is easily the safest defensive end in the draft because teams will be comforted knowing exactly what they are get- ting. Played above 280 pounds but weighed in at 266 at the Combine. Has unique potential to fit as an outside ’backer in a “30” front or bulk up and man the five-technique in a slanting, aggressive “30” front such as that of the Steelers, Ravens or Bills. Also could be a very effective left end in a “40” front; he even kicked inside in college and rushed from the inside at times. Has a motor that does not stop, and his best football is still ahead of him.

NFL projection: Top-15 pick

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Morgan is a junior who came out early for the 2010 NFL Draft and from everything I have seen he is ready to come in and be a contributing player as a rookie.  He is a very athletic defensive end with a rare combination of foot quicks, explosiveness, playing speed, very good size and playing strength.  He is the uncommon defensive end who has the tools to be effective as a defensive end in a 43 or 34 and could be very productive playing upright as a rush-linebacker in a 34.  While he does not have the rare edge explosiveness of a D. Freeney, he has better 1^st step quicks, burst and speed as an edge rusher than most NFL defensive ends and will be able to threaten the corner consistently in the NFL.  However, if he is going to become a top all around pass rusher he is going to have to improve his ability to dip shoulder in order to turn the corner more sharply when he beats the OT to the turn point. Overall, Morgan is going to be a Top 15 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft and will become a very productive defender – Which of the positions he plays in the NFL will depend on what team he goes to, but I think he can be an All Pro player as either a DE in a 43 defense or as a rush-linebacker in a 34 scheme.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Morgan had one dominate season and ended it with only three tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in the high-profile matchup against Iowa’s legitimate NFL-caliber offense tackles in the Orange Bowl.  In a class of gargantuan defensive ends best fit for the 3-4 scheme and undersized ‘tweeners who lack the strength to consistently hold up at the edge in the 4-3, Morgan’s prototypical NFL frame, steady improvement and relative youth (turned 21 in January) is certain to intrigue scouts.  A very good player now, he’ll likely be selected in the top 10 in the 2010 draft because he’s just scratching the surface of his potential as a game changing right defensive end.

Round 3, Pick 197

Damian Williams, WR, USC

Ht: 6’ 0 5/8” Wt: 197

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  A slender, slow wide receiver for the NFL level, Williams has an uphill battle to become an NFL starter.  His intelligence and attitude might enable him to overcome his physical shortcomings.  He could develop into a good slot receiver the the Titans.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Thin-framed, leggy long-strider with reliable hands, advanced route running and slick creativity after the catch and as a punt returner. Played at an elite program and consistently made plays and showed up in big games. Would fit best as a flanker in a West Coast system.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Williams originally signed with Arkansas and earned Freshman All-SEC honors before transferring to USC and sitting out the 2007 season.  He went on to earn first-team All-Pac-10 honors the past two seasons.  NFL scouts love that Williams had been a proven playmaker capable of making an immediate impact in the SEC and Pac-10.  While he may lack an electric time in the 40-yard dash, his quick acceleration, sturdy frame and sticky hands make him one of the more intriguing wideouts of the 2010 class. 

Round 3, Pick 97

Rennie Curran, LB, Georgia

Ht: 5’ 10 5/8” Wt: 235

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Excellent pick for the Titans at this point in the draft.  An undersized prospect who plays with a violent force, Curran will make an impact on special teams immediately.  He could sneak into the Titans starting line up as their linebacking corps is aging and is in need of upgrading.   

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Very productive, active, energetic, compactly built ball of muscle who flies around in pursuit. Search-and-flow linebacker who does not run especially well for an undersized guy but possesses terrific instincts and hitting ability. Is more athletic and explosive than Colts OLB Clint Session and will pique the interest of fast-flowing “40” fronts like that of the Colts.

NFL projection: Third- to fourth-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  A fire ant on the field, Curran lacks size but makes up for it with speed, agility and ferocity.  Shorter than scouts would prefer, but height was overrated in the case of Zach Thomas, Lofa Tatupu and the late Sam Mills, all of whom earned multiple trips to the Pro Bowl despite measuring shorter than 6-feet. 

104.)  Tennessee Titans
Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA
Ht: 5' 10" Wt: 189

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Verner is another excellent football player that has dropped because he did not time well in the 40-yard dash.  Very aggressive, he could become an excellent nickel corner for the Titans.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  Short, squatty, short-area zone cor- ner who does not “wow” you athletically but is experienced, possesses natural ball skills and has been very productive.

NFL projection: Fourth- to fifth-round pick. 

148.)  Tennessee Titans
Robert Johnson, DB, Utah
Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 197

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Johnson is the type of player that teams take a risk on in hopes that they can develop physically and hold up in the NFL.  A good college player, Johnson's build doesn't translate to the NFL, but, if he can get bigger and stronger, he could have the skills to develop into a solid back up  or maybe even an eventual starter.  

Lindy’s scouting report:  Johnson's lack of strength and spindly build might worry some scouts, but his height, speed and ball skills make him an intriguing centerfielder prospect in the mid-to-late rounds. 


176.)  Tennessee Titans
Rusty Smith, QB, Florida Atlantic 
Ht: 6' 5" Wt: 230

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Smith comes from a pro-style offense at FAU.  His career ended in injury and he - like Tim Tebow - has  a throwing motion issue.  He has excellent size and a decent arm.  He could develop into a nice back up quarterback in the National Football League.



207.)  Tennessee Titans
Myron Rolle, S, Florida State
Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 215

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Questions about his passion for football and lack of instincts hurt his draft stock.  Rolle is a smart player and a good athlete who could develop into a starter.  He will definitely be able to make an impact on the Titans' special teams unit.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:   A big, smart mini-linebacker with a safety’s frame, Rolle is limited by his average play speed, lack of flexibility and marginal ball skills, but he could develop into a solid No. 3 safety and play for a long time if he is able to contribute on special teams.

NFL projection: Fifth- to sixth-round pick.

222.)  Tennessee Titans

Marc Mariani, WR, Montana

Ht: 6' 0" Wt: 185

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  An averaged size receiver, his best shot is to make the Titans as a returner.

  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:  A good college football player with a chance to compete for a job as a slot receiver and return man in the pros, but may have to take the long route and prove himself all over again like he did when he arrived as a walk-on.

NFL projection: Priority free agent. 

241.)  Tennessee Titans

David Howard, DT, Brown

Ht: 6' 3" Wt: 293

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  An intriguing 3-4 defensive end conversion prospect, Howard has excellent measurables.  He uses his hands well and plays with intensity.  He's the first Ivy League defensive lineman to be drafted since 1998.

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

     

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