Draft Analysis: Tennessee Titans Team Needs

April 15, 2008 @ 11:23:03

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

2007 Finish: 10-6 (AFC South - 3rd Place), Playoff team

2008 Draft Pick: 24th Overall

Key Positional Needs: RB, WR, OG, DE, LB

Head Coach: Jeff Fisher

Offensive Coordinator: Mike Heimerdinger

Defensive Coordinator: Jim Schwartz

Key Losses: RB Chris Brown (UFA - Houston Texans), WR David Givens (UFA - released), WR Eric Moulds (UFA), TE Ben Hartsock (UFA - Atlanta Falcons), TE Jamie Petrowski (RFA), TE Ben Troupe (UFA - Tampa Bay Buccaneers), PK Rob Bironas (RFA), P Glenn Pakulak (UFA - Chicago Bears), OG Jacob Bell (UFA - signed with St. Louis Rams), OG Benji Olson (retired), OT Daniel Loper (RFA), OT David Stewart (RFA), DL Sean Conover (ERFA), DL Shawn Johnson (RFA), DL Antwan Odom (UFA - Cincinnati Bengals), DL Randy Starks (UFA - Miami Dolphins), LB Gilbert Gardner (UFA - Detroit Lions), LB Rich Scanlon (UFA), CB Kelly Herndon (UFA - released), CB Reynaldo Hill (RFA), CB Chidi Iwuoma (UFA), CB Andre Woolfolk (UFA - New York Jets), FS Vincent Fuller (RFA)

Key Additions: RB Ahmard Hall (re-signed), WR Justin Gage (re-signed), WR Justin McCareins (signed - New York Jets), TE Dwayne Blakley (signed - Atlanta Falcons), TE Alge Crumpler (signed - Atlanta Falcons), TE Casey Cramer (re-signed), OG Jake Scott (signed - Indianapolis Colts), DL Jevon Kearse (signed - Philadelphia Eagles), DL Travis LaBoy (signed - Arizona Cardinals), LB Josh Stamer (signed - Buffalo Bills), CB Chris Carr (signed - Oakland Raiders), FS Donnie Nickey (re-signed)

Key Offensive Positions Needed

Quarterback

The team does not figure to significantly address the position.

Running Back

The team is set with running backs LenDale White and Chris J. Henry, but they lack the type of shifty, third-down back that so many teams have. They have admitted this is a need by meeting with free agents Warrick Dunn (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Julius Jones (Seattle Seahawks). They could draft a playmaking back as early as the first round, but it's not their likely course of action.

Wide Receiver

Wide receiver Justin Gage was the team's top receiver last year, catching 55 passes for 750 yards and two touchdowns. However, he is not the receiving threat the team needs. Offseason addition Justin McCareins had his best years with new(ish) offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger in New York, but the team still needs a playmaking threat to take the pressure off quarterback Vince Young.

Tight End

The team does not figure to significantly address the position.

Offensive Tackle

The team does not figure to significantly address the position.

Offensive Guard

The team lost long-time guard Benji Olson to retirement and up-and-coming guard Jacob Bell to the St. Louis Rams. The Titans brought over Jake Scott from the Indianapolis Colts to replace Bell and have three young guys that will need to step up for one of them to replace Olson. They could add some depth at this position in case some of the youngsters aren't ready.

Center

The team does not figure to significantly address the position.

Key Defensive Positions Needed

Defensive End

Jevon Kearse might be back in Tennessee, but the team needs some help on the line due to the losses of Antwan Odom (Bengals) and Travis LaBoy (Cardinals) in free agency. There is the possibility Kearse returns to his former Pro Bowl form with Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch drawing double teams, but depth will still be an issue.

Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle

The team does not figure to significantly address the position.

Linebacker

The team has some solid starters at both outside linebacker positions, but if Keith Bulluck and David Thornton go down with an injury, they will need some cover at the position. They could target a linebacker late in the draft or after the June 1 cuts.

Cornerback

The team does not figure to significantly address the position.

Free Safety

The team does not figure to significantly address the position.

Strong Safety

The team does not figure to significantly address the position.

Key Special Teams Positions Needed

Place Kicker

The team does not figure to significantly address the position.

Punter

The team does not figure to significantly address the position.

Return Specialist

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

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Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.

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