Tennessee Titans Draft Review

1st Round, Pick #8: Jake Locker (QB Washington)

To some this pick is a little confusing. Locker did not have a good senior season, to get taken before Gabbert, who most viewed as the #1 QB was a shock to many. However, there had been many rumblings leading up to the draft that Tennessee would take Locker over Gabbert if the both of them were available. Locker will be raw, but the Titans have a good offensive line, and a good running game. Bottom line is the Titans needed a franchise quarterback and they pulled the trigger on the guy that they really wanted. And I personally don't believe the gap between Locker and Gabbert is very wide, so we are good with this pick.

Grade- B

2nd Round, Pick #39: Akeem Ayers (OLB U.C.L.A)

Akeem Ayers is one of my favorite players in this draft. He isn't an elite athlete, but he is one heck of a football player. He was thought to be a mid 1st round pick but a slow 40 time dropped him into the 2nd round. Ayers could play in the 3-4, but he is also a good fit as a strongside linebacker for the Titans in their 4-3. Tennessee desperately needs help at linebacker where Stephen Tulloch is a free agent, and the two starting outside linebackers are both average at best. Ayers is a very smooth, well rounded player who does well in all aspects of the game. He will start from day 1, and make in immediate impact.

Grade- A+

3rd Round, Pick #77: Jurrell Casey (DT U.S.C)

Once thought to be a 1st round talent, Casey fell to the third round because he lacks elite explosion and playmaking ability. However, Casey is a big, squatty, run stuffer who is a hard worker and always gives a ton of effort. He'll provide depth to the Titans who have struggled to replace the production that Albert Haynesworth gave them a couple of years ago. Casey might not be the difference maker Haynesworth was, but he will provide a ton of help to a defensive line that is thin at tackle.

Grade- B

4th Round, Pick #109: Colin McCarthy (OLB Miami)

Stephen Tulloch is a very good middle linebacker. But he is a free agent and there is no depth behind him. Tennessee's main priority is resigning Tulloch and that would allow McCarthy to provide depth behind him and help out on special teams. McCarthy isn't an elite athlete but he has good instincts, takes good angles, and is a good tackler. McCarthy might never be a high-end starter in the league, but the Titans need depth badly at linebacker and McCarthy is a very solid player.

Grade- B

4th Round, Pick #130: Jamie Harper (RB Clemson)

Don't really know why Jamie Harper declared for the draft. He didn't really have too great of a season and he wasn't too highly thought of. He could have done much better saying in school and improving his stock. But what Harper brings to the Titans is a big who they are hoping can provide a solid power back to compliment Chris Johnson. Harper will come in and compete with Javon Ringer to fill the primary backup role and take carries away from Johnson. Harper will help this team, but this was not a good value as there were much better players available, and a guy with Harper's talent could easily have been had later.

Grade- C-

5th Round, Pick #142: Karl Klug (DT Iowa)

The Titans love to get pressure out of just their front four, and often look for lineman that are tweeners who can play both tackle and end. That is exactly what Karl Klug is. He played Defensive Tackle at Iowa but doesn't have the bulk to line up there every down in the NFL. Klug gets the most out of the talent that he has with a great motor, good instincts and a sound tackler. For a 5th round pick Klug has enough potential to develop into a reliable rotational player.

Grade- C+

6th Round, Pick #175: Byron Stingily (OT Louisville)

This is a low risk, high reward pick here for the Titans as Stingily is a solid pass protector that uses his length and frame to shield off defenders. He also has good size at 6-5 300, and is a very solid athlete. He has been very inconsistent in college, and has a long way to go to be a reliable, so even if he makes it, it won't be for a couple of years. As a 6th round pick the Titans aren't looking for him to be a starter, but he has the potential to provide depth as a swing tackle that can play both right and left side.

Grade- B

7th Round, Pick #212: Zach Clayton (DT Auburn)

Clayton isn't going to offer much help rushing the passer, but he has elite strength and power that allows him to engage defenders and help in the run game. Its clear that the Titans are looking to provide depth at the defensive line, but you'd think they could have gotten Clayton as a UDFA, and used this pick on a guy like Kendric Burney to help add depth to their cornerback position that is pretty thin. Their cornerback situation next year is going to be a disaster, and I don't know why they refused to address it.

Grade- F

7th Round, Pick #251: Tommie Campbell (Safety University of California PA)

Campbell is making the big jump from Division II to the NFL. He has good size and speed but has some major areas of concern. Campbell was highly regarded coming out of college and signed on to play for Pittsburgh. However Campbell had some issues at Pitt, and ended up transferring to the Division II school. He was projected to play linebacker at Pitt, but played safety at California PA and projects there with the Titans. If Campbell keeps out of trouble he could earn a spot on special teams early, and has the potential to develop into a good player. It is a bit of a long shot, but his talent is worth a 7th round flyer here.

Grade- A-