Titans Tracker

East Carolina running back Chris Johnson was the first player selected by the Tennessee Titans in today’s draft. I’m very happy the Titans drafted this speedy playmaker, but I’m surprised he was drafted in the first round. However, after no wide receivers were selected before Johnson, I have to trust Titans management in their estimation that receivers Devin Thomas and company were not worthy of a first round pick.

A few weeks ago, I made five predictions. I was completely wrong about prediction #1 but was partially right about prediction #4: The Titans did draft Johnson … but in the first round, not the second.

Coach Jeff Fisher is happy with the pick:

“We are going to plug him in whenever and wherever we can because we know he is a playmaker,’’ Coach Jeff Fisher said. “He has world-class, difference-making speed, which is what we need in the offense.’’

It’s become obvious to me that NFL general managers know a lot of things that fans and the media don’t know, and that their criteria for drafting players is different than what we have in mind. Donnie Avery was the first receiver drafted today. Who? Donnie Avery is now a St. Louis Ram. Devin Thomas was chosen two picks after Avery by the Washington Redskins, who also drafted receiver Malcolm Kelly later in the second round.

The Pittsburgh Steelers broke my heart twice today. Not only did they draft my favorite player in the draft, running back Rashard Mendenhall, one pick before Chris Johnson, they drafted receiver Limas Sweed one pick before the Titans in the second round. I’ll have my eye on the Steelers as I’m a fan of both Mendenhall and Sweed.

I imagine that the Denver Broncos’ decision to draft receiver Eddie Royal at pick #42 affected the Titans plans. I’m also shocked that Jordy Nelson was drafted at #36 by the Packers. I look forward to watching him play.

Ten receivers were selected in the second round. The Titans did not select any of them. They chose defensive end Jason Jones from Eastern Michigan. I’ve never heard of the guy, but that doesn’t mean anything. Tennessee needed depth at defensive end after losing Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy. The Titans believe they have a good player, so I wish him the best.

There are still some “change of pace” wide receivers available for the Titans, including Mario Manningham, Early
Doucet, Andre Caldwell and Earl Bennett.

Welcome to Tennessee,  Chris. You are a player I thought the Titans had to draft this year.

If I was the Titans GM, I’d do everything I could to draft this man:

I’ll be a Rashard Mendenhall fan regardless of where he plays. If he stays healthy, I think he’ll be one of the all-time greats. He’s that good.

Adam Bernard Jones has been traded, and there is much rejoicing in Nashville. The suspended cornerback and his considerable baggage will be handled by the Dallas Cowboys. Tennessee gets a fourth round pick (pick #126) in exchange for Pacman.

How does this trade affect the Titans chances of drafting Limas Sweed, my preferred first round choice?

With the acquisition of Jones, the odds of the Cowboys picking a wide receiver with one of its two first round draft picks increased to 50 percent. I don’t think Dallas would have made this trade if he didn’t feel that, due to recent developments in the Las Vegas strip club shooting case, there is a good chance that Pacman will be reinstated.

However, the Minnesota Vikings will not choose a wide receiver in the first round, since it traded its pick to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for defensive end Jared Allen. Minnesota probably wouldn’t have drafted Sweed at pick 17 after signing Bernard Berrian to a $42 million free agent contract, and after drafting receiver Dwayne Bowe last year, the Chiefs will not draft a receiver with either of its two first round picks.

One less team stands between Limas Sweed and the Tennessee Titans, but there’s a increased chance that Sweed will be a Dallas Cowboy.

The free agent wide receiver pool was shallow this spring. The Titans did not sign a playmaking wide receiver. Plan B? Take a big risk and draft a receiver in the first round this Saturday.

I’m a big fan of Limas Sweed. He’s a fellow Longhorn, he’s big, fast and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. However, I think the Titans will be lucky to draft him, and here’s why.

Most NFL draft pundits believe the Buffalo Bills (currently at pick 11 in the first round), Philadelphia Eagles (19), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20), Washington Redskins (21), Dallas (22) and Tennessee Titans (24) need help at wide receiver. Throw the Pittsburgh Steelers (23) in this mix because $102 million quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wants a big young target at wide receiver.

The team to watch in the first round receiver sweepstakes is Buffalo. Let’s assume they intend to draft a receiver. How high is Sweed on the Bills draft board? Would they prefer to have Malcolm Kelly or Devin Thomas? I’d say there’s no more than a 20 percent chance the Bills draft Sweed at number 11 unless they trade down a few spots.

Next is the Philadelphia Eagles. I’d say their chances of drafting Sweed are 30 percent, because they have an urgent need for a cornerback and either Kelly or Thomas should still be available.

The Redskins chances of drafting a receiver are 40 percent. The question is whether Washington wants another “Smurf” or a taller player to compliment short receivers Antwaan Randle-El and Santana Moss.

Next are the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas wants a cornerback (Pacman Jones, anyone?) but I believe Jerry Jones is going to draft either a running back or a wide receiver. Jones’ choice may come down to the answer to this question: is my greatest need a number two running back to share carries with Marion Barber or to groom a young receiver behind the aging Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn?

I have a sinking feeling Limas Sweed will play the early part of his career in the NFC East.

But let’s say the Eagles and Redskins pass on Sweed, and Jerry Jones picks fellow Arkansas Razorback Felix Jones. I’d guess that Jon Gruden Tampa Bay would prefer a smaller receiver like DeSean Jackson or Thomas for the Buccaneers offense. If Pittsburgh ignores Roethlisberger’s wishes, the Titans will have their man.

Here are my predictions:

1. If Limas Sweed is available at pick 24 the Titans will draft him. Rest assured that Vince Young’s voice will be heard.

2. If Sweed, Kelly, Thomas and Jackson are gone before the Titans pick at 24, Tennessee will draft a defensive lineman.

3. The Titans will not draft receiver James Hardy. Pacman Jones, anyone?

4. If the Titans don’t draft a receiver in the first round, they will draft a very fast running back (Chris Johnson or Jamaal Charles are the players I have in mind) in the second round.

5. If the Titans draft a receiver in the first round and either Johnson or Charles in the second round, the Titans will go 12-4 in 2008.

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