I was recently asked to participate in an interblog mock draft on a Seahawks blog, to make the selection for the Titans with the 30th pick. This is what I wrote about my selection, cornerback D.J. Moore from Vanderbilt.
Former Titans general manager Floyd Reese used to say that you got true value out of a draft pick when the selection was both the best player available and also happened to fill a position of need. I’m very surprised that D.J. Moore is still available at #30 in this mock draft and that the Ravens blogger selected Sean Smith at #26 rather than Moore, who is clearly the best cornerback, if not the best player, on the board.The Titans have a real need at corner. They’re in good shape with Pro Bowler Cortland Finnegan on the right side but left corner Nick Harper will be 35 years old in September and his skills are declining. To complicate matters, the Titans’ nickelback, #3 corner and #4 corner are all approaching free agency and it’s doubtful if all three can be re-signed. For the purposes of this mock, it makes sense to select a cornerback, especially when one with Moore’s skill set is available.Moore is a very athletic corner who, in addition to his stellar play at corner, was utilized by Vandy as a punt returner, kick returner and as a wide receiver on offense. He’s one of those guys that is a threat to score any time he gets his hands on the ball, which is why the Commodores used him in all those roles. If Moore actually falls to #30 in April’s draft, he’d be a great asset for the Titans.
I also considered some other players still on the board, which included WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, CB Alphonso Smith, OLBs Larry English, Clay Matthews and Clint Sintim and DT Evander Hood. Two of the best players available, if I wanted to go that route, were RBs Chris Wells and LeSean McCoy, but I couldn’t see the Titans taking another RB in the first two rounds for a fourth straight year.
You can view the interblog mock draft here. Incidentally, the Lions blogger must have been smoking something when he made his selection and several commenters gave him some justly deserved criticism. Other than that, most of the other picks looked fairly reasonable.
What do you think about D.J. Moore? Who would you have selected? I look forward to reading your comments.
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