Tennessee Titans 2010 NFL Draft Grade
TENNESSEE
1.16 Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech
The Titans wanted to get an impact pass rusher, and many felt that Morgan was the most polished option in this class. I wasn’t as high on him. Still, he should help the Titans get after Peyton Manning and Matt Schaub, and he’s got a better handle on running backs than he gets credit for. He’s got all the ability in the world, but in two of Tech’s last (and most important) three games, he disappeared. This is the place for him to learn, but he’s got a steeper curve than it would seem. GRADE: B
3.77 Damian Williams, WR, USC
Williams looks like a great fit at the No. 2 receiver spot opposite Kenny Britt, and should be pretty pro ready coming out of USC’s offense. He doesn’t have great athletic upside, and is not an absolute freak like last year’s first rounder, but he won’t have to be. He’s an excellent route runner that should thrive with most of the attention aimed at Britt, and he can help this return game in a big way. Great value this late. GRADE: A-
3.97 Rennie Curran, OLB, Georgia
Curran was somewhat of a reach with better options out there, at least in my mind, but he is a reckless, relentless orb of pain and could translate better to the NFL than I think. His size is an issue, but not a big one (get it?), and his awareness and knack for making tackles, a LOT of tackles, could keep him in Nashville for a while. GRADE: B
3ROUND GRADE: B
4.104 Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA
Verner fills a need in a secondary that was riddled with poor tackling and lackluster effort all too often last season. But they gave up LenDale White and Kevin Vickerson to get him, so he better get on the field in at least an average capacity. Good news is he’s been a productive tackler his entire career. GRADE: B
5.148 Robert Johnson, S, Utah
Johnson is a versatile player that makes some sense for the Titans here in the fifth. They need secondary depth and he can provide that at corner and safety. His size makes him standout, but he feels like Sean Smith, the sedan model. GRADE: C+
6.176 Rusty Smith, QB, FAU
He was a decent prospect a few years ago, but hasn’t done much since, and seems to lose focus a good bit. The Titans liked his arm and his size, but he’s got a very long way to go. He’ll get the time to develop, but this is a pick that I don’t ever see contributing. GRADE: D+
6.207 Myron Rolle, S, FSU
Okay, let’s not get too excited here. There’s a good reason Rolle fell this far. He’s been away from football for a year, and it showed in his workouts. He’s still not bad, but he needs some time to get back into the groove of the game. Still, when a guy this smart and this physically talented puts his mind to something, watch out. He’s never let anything hold him back before. Great upside/chance pick at a position of need in the sixth. GRADE: B
7.222 Marc Mariani, WR, Montana
This Montana team better be winning every game at their level, because NFL teams are falling all over themselves to draft these prospects. Mariani is an athletic guy, but he’s being brought in more as returner depth/competition than as a receiver. GRADE: C
7.241 David Howard, DT, Brown
Howard has good strength and is a typical Titans small-school prospect. He’s got nice natural athleticism for a big boy, and of course being from the Ivy is a testament to his lack of intelligence. No, he’s smart. GRADE: C+
Best Pick: Damian Williams
Worst Pick: Rusty Smith
Sleeper Pick: Myron Rolle
FINAL ANALYSIS
The Titans drafted for need early on, and they got decent value while doing it. Morgan seemed to be everyone’s favorite 4-3 defensive end in this draft, but I really wasn’t impressed by him in critical losses to UGA and Iowa. He was washed at the line, and never really looked like his motor was running at full speed. He’s got all the skills in the world, and this could be the perfect situation for him. He’s got a shot to start early under DL coach Jim Washburn. Williams was a very smart pick, and is probably one of the most polished receivers in the last two draft classes combined. He’s not ever going to develop into a physically-captivating game-changer, but his skillful route running and soft hands make him a cinch pick to find his way into the No. 2 role very soon. Vince Young will love this guy. Rolle was definitely worth a shot in the sixth round. The guy didn’t give up football to go on Spring Break in Daytona; he went to study at Oxford for a year. That’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. He’s too smart and too driven to allow himself to fail. I like his upside, and he fills a big need.
One of Verner’s biggest strengths is his sure tackling. Nick Harper missed enough tackles for two seasons in 2009, and that was obviously a trait the Titans wanted to address with their new CB, even if they should have grabbed one earlier. Curran is the same type of player — undersized, fills a big need, and plays at a high level with elite production. I’m already coming around on him. Neither is a lock to start, but these are the type of players that surprise. On the other hand, Rusty Smith, Robert Johnson, Marc Mariani, and David Howard have a long way to go. Each has the physical tools to contribute, but I think Mariani and Johnson might get bogged down and stuck on kick coverage teams, while Smith just doesn’t make the decisions well-enough to do anything for this team for at least two or three years. Howard might be the best of that bunch, but he needs time too.
The Titans drafted a very smart class. Morgan went to Georgia Tech, Howard went to Brown, and Rolle is an honest-to-God Rhodes Scholar. They’ll win every damn spelling bee the NFL throws. Of course, it’s not like the potential isn’t there on the field. The Titans committed grand theft receiver in the third. And Verner is a guy that no one should sleep on. Would have liked to see Tennessee spend a higher pick on a corner, but were they supposed to pass on the guys they got at the top? One of the better drafts, but very quietly.
FINAL GRADE: B
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