The initial period of free agency is about over and it’s now two weeks until the draft. It’s also four days away from the Titans’ turn to pick in the mock draft being held by the MVN football writers and I’d like your input.
In the real draft, I’d really like to see the Titans use their first-round draft pick on a defensive end. In my opinion, it’s both their greatest need and the spot at which they can receive the most bang for the buck.
The mock draft is another story. The best two DEs are long gone, having been selected by the Bucs and the Vikes. The guy I was hoping would fall to Tennessee, Adam Carriker, was taken this morning by the 49ers.
That leaves Jarvis Moss, who’s a bit undersized (250 pounds) as a 4-3 DE and might be better suited as a 3-4 OLB. Apparently the Titans feel he can bulk up to be a DE because they’ve had him in for a visit. The other top DEs don’t look to be worth the value of the #19 pick and will probably go late in the first round or in the second. You can read Dan Wernery’s positional ranking of DEs on MVN’s NFL Draft University for a report on the top 4-3 DEs.
So it looks like it will be a choice between Moss (if still available) or a receiver in the mock. Calvin Johnson and Ted Ginn Jr. have already been selected, but Dwayne Bowe, Sidney Rice, and Robert Meachem are all still on the board. Of the three, I like Rice as the best choice for the Titans.
Here’s Dan’s report on Bowe, Rice and Meachem in this ranking of receivers:
Dwayne Bowe, LSU – Bowe at 6-3 220 has the elite combination of size and speed that may seperate him from everyone else but Calvin Johnson. Bowe makes a lot of tough catches over the middle. Some young receivers struggle in that area but Bowe excels.
Sidney Rice, South Carolina – Rice has the tall lanky frame to be an immediate deep threat in the NFL. Rice in my opinion has the best hands of any WR in the draft. He is a natural playmaker who would have been the Calvin Johnson of the 08 draft had he come back for one more year at South Carolina.
Robert Meachem, Tennessee – When David Cutcliffe gave Erik Ainge new life at QB he gave Robert Meachem new life at WR as well. Meachem is a phenomenal athlete who can run all of the routes and make the tough catches. At Tennessee he was constantly double teamed and still managed to put up remarkable numbers.
This is where I’m asking for your input. Who’s the best choice? Moss, Bowe, Rice, or Meachem? Or someone else? Let me know your opinion with a comment below.
Here’s a review of the mock draft so far:
1. Oakland – Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
2. Detroit – JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
3. Cleveland – Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
4. Tampa Bay – Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
5. Arizona – Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
6. Washington – LaRon Landry, S, LSU
7. Minnesota – Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
8. Atlanta – Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin
9. Miami – Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
10. Houston – Levi Jones, T, Penn State
11. San Francisco – Adam Carriker, DE, Nebraska
Update April 16:
12. Buffalo – Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi
13. St. Louis – Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
14. Carolina – Greg Olsen, TE, Miami
15. Pittsburgh – Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
16. Green Bay to select Monday evening
17. Jacksonville – Tuesday morning
18. Cincinnati – Tuesday evening
19. Tennessee – Wednesday morning
You can follow the mock on NFL Draft University as MVN’s football writers make their selections.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
