We’re only a few days away from the long-awaited, highly-anticipated event of the offseason: the 2010 NFL Draft.
With draft-day fast approaching, the mostly consensus opinion regarding what the Tennessee Titans should do with the #16 selection in the first round has been centered upon picking up an impact defensive end. Names such as Jason Pierre-Paul, Derrick Morgan and Brandon Graham have frequently been mentioned as potential candidates to fill the team’s void at the DE position.
Outside of defensive end, there’s been talk in some circles about the possibility of selecting a cornerback such as Joe Haden, Kyle Wilson or maybe even Earl Thomas in the first round.
Personally, whether it’s the DE or CB position, I’m hoping that the Titans will utilize the best player available approach as their modus operandi on draft day.
There is no question that defensive end is a position of high need for the Tennessee Titans. With the departures of veterans Kyle Vanden Bosch and Jevon Kearse and free agency only reaping the services of journeyman Jason Babin, an impact pass-rusher would be a welcome addition to the team.
Despite adding veteran Tye Hill and re-signing Rod Hood, the Titans are still lacking an unquestionable starter opposite of Cortland Finnegan at the cornerback position. Unless one of the aforementioned veterans step up or second-year players Jason McCourty and Ryan Mouton elevate their games in their sophomore seasons, the team could be looking at an unsettling situation at one of their corner spots.
As I’ve mentioned before, the majority of prognosticators, mock drafters, bloggers, etc., have penciled in defensive end as the position the Titans will address with their first-round pick, and I have no problem with that. However, if some of the more heralded players such as Pierre-Paul, Morgan and possibly Graham are all gone by the time it’s the Titans’ turn on the clock, I’m hoping that the team doesn’t reach just to satisfy a need with their selection.
Several weeks ago, I penned a piece that examined the possibility of Florida CB Joe Haden being available with the #16 selection due to a sub-par performance at the combine. Recently, there’s been more speculation about the possibility of Haden still being around when it’s time for the Titans to make their first-round decision.
If Haden is indeed available with pick #16, I’m hoping that the Titans will select him. Cornerback is a big need for the team as well and if Haden’s still ripe for the taking, it would be hard to pass up a guy who could be the perfect complement to Finny at the CB position.
The moral of this story, you ask? Regardless of whether it’s CB or DE, I’m rooting for the Titans to travel the best defensive player available route with their first-round selection.
Agree or disagree with me? Feel free to contribute your thoughts in the comments section below.
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