The Titans’ selection of tackle Troy Kropog as their fourth-round compensatory draft pick came as something of a surprise to many fans. It was obviously not a position of immediate need, at least not as much as a few other positions.
Kropog was definitely selected as the best player available and it’s easy to see why.
Scott Wright’s Draft Countdown awarded Kropog with a three-star rating, predicting him as a second or third-round pick. Kropog was the ninth-ranked tackle on Wright’s board.
So when Kropog was still available at the bottom of Round Four, the Titans sent his name in.
“Kropog is a great value pick at this point in the draft…. he’s a terrific pick at this point in the draft.”
I view his value as a second or third-round tackle in the following context. Michael Roos was a second-round pick and David Stewart was selected in Round Four.
Having acquired second or third-round talent, there’s no way he won’t make the 53-man roster on final cutdown day, September 5. If for some strange reason he’s cut, he’ll quickly be claimed by another team.
Kropog, who played both tackle positions at Tulane, looks to be the replacement for Daniel Loper, which creates a problem for Michael Otto. It seems very unlikely the Titans will carry two backup tackles on the roster and Otto probably won’t survive the final cut.
Otto, a sixth-round selection last year in 2007, only appeared in the Week 17 exhibition game in Indianapolis. He doesn’t have much experience but he does have one year two years under his belt and under offensive line coach Mike Munchak. That’s his only advantage over Kropog.
Kropog has more value and more upside than Otto, which is his primary advantage.
I’m planning on paying attention to both of them in training camp and the preseason.
What do you think about the Titans’ selection of Kropog?
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
