2012 NFL Offseason Prospectus: Tennessee Titans

As far as NFL rosters go, the Tennessee Titans don't have the sexiest or flashiest group of players. Put it this way, you'd only play with them in Madden because Chris Johnson is much better in the game than he was in real life last season.

The contract disaster Johnson created last year certainly didn't help and he just never seemed to find his rhythm with this offense. 

Even so, Johnson is one of the most explosive players in the sport and if he can stay healthy, should be a 1,000 yard rusher again in 2012.

According to CBSSports, Kenny Britt, who is coming off an ACL tear, is already running and cutting. Britt, a potential stud wide receiver, could be a big-time difference maker assuming his mind is right along with his surgically-repaired knee.

Defense is where Tennessee faces the most uncertainty, having lost probably its two best players to free agency. That being said, there are some young, talented players in the front seven and this defense always plays physically and fundamentally sound.

Getting some depth at corner and along the defensive front should have the Titans in contention to again finish above .500 and potentially even fight for a wild card spot.
   
Offense
It's not clear yet who will be the opening day starter at quarterback for the Titans, although Matt Hasselbeck did play pretty well for Tennessee last season despite losing Britt.

When Jake Locker played, he too, played well and nearly beat the New Orleans Saints on a late drive. Locker will likely never be a high percentage thrower, but he had a quarterback rating of 99.4 in 66 attempts last season. He threw four touchdowns and no interceptions and could be the type of quarterback where you ask him to throw the ball 20 times a game, avoid interceptions and make just enough plays to win.

Tennessee signed Steve Hutchinson  from Minnesota to try and open up more lanes for Chris Johnson who struggled in part because the offensive line didn't play particularly well in 2011.

Getting better upfront as well as adding a weapon or two for whoever the quarterback is, should be the top offensive priorities this offseason.
 
Key Free Agents: Donnie Avery WR (signed w/ Colts)

Defense

Jason Jones and Cortland Finnegan were arguably the two  best players on the entire Titans team last season. Both have departed for the NFC West, Jones to the Seahawks and Finnegan to St. Louis.

The Titans signed Kamerion Wimbley from Oakland to replace Jones as a pass rusher, but getting to the quarterback has been an area of concern since Jevon Kearse left a number of years ago.

Jurrell Casey is a load inside, but adding a rusher, whether it's at tackle or end, could go a long way to protecting what will likely be a young secondary behind them.

Beefing up that secondary with the loss of Finnegan should be, if not the top priority, the second on that list. Finnegan is considered one of the elite players at his position in the game. Tennessee does still have Michael Griffin, who is another player on his way to becoming elite, but beyond that, there isn't much talent to speak of.

Finding a young player to put in that secondary will be a must in a division that will soon feature a host of young stud quarterbacks.

Key Free Agents: Jordan Babineaux (re-signed w/ Titans), Patrick Bailey OLB (re-signed w/ Titans), Cortland Finnegan (signed w/ Rams), William Hayes DE, Chris Hope S, Jason Jones DE (signed w/ Seahawks), Barrett Ruud MLB, Tim Shaw (re-signed w/ Titans), Anthony Smith S,

Draft Targets

Needs: WR,CB,DL,TE,OL
Round 1 (Pick 20): Fletcher Cox DT Mississippi State (Pos. Rank: 3, Overall Rank: 16)

If Cox falls to this spot, the Titans would gladly scoop him up. Cox could play end or tackle in Tennessee's 4-3 defense and some scouts actually believe Cox is a better fit to play end. With a powerful lower body and excellent quickness, Cox is an athlete with a unique skill set who was dominating at times even in the talent-rich SEC. Put him anywhere on this Tennessee defense and it immediately becomes better thanks to his ability to penetrate . 


Round 2 (Pick 52): Mohamed Sanu WR Rutgers (Pos. Rank: 7, Overall Rank: 53)

Tennessee already has a big, physical receiver from Rutgers, but in this case, two is better than one. Sanu isn't as athletic as Britt and some scouts even thought he might have to play tight end in the NFL due his lack of straight-line speed. On the other hand, he ran in the 4.4's at his Rutgers pro day and you can't argue with his production. Sanu is the Big East's all-time leader in career receptions after tallying an astonishing 115 as a junior. This may actually be too low for Sanu who is said to be moving back up draft boards, but if he's here at 52, expect the Titans to pounce.

Round 3 (Pick 84): Matt McCants OT UAB (Pos. Rank: 8, Overall Rank: 85)

Hoping a corner like Iowa State's Leonard Johnson falls might be the best case for Tennessee here although they could choose to reach a little bit for Dwight Bentley if they're bent (no pun intended) on getting a corner with this pick. Unfortunately, the way it shakes out in this mock, the Titans don't have many options in terms of matching need and value with this pick. Offensive line, at least at tackle opposite Michael Roos, is a place Tennessee could look to improve. McCants is a small school prospect with BCS conference talent and could help down the road. At 6-7 300 pounds, McCants is build almost identically to top prospect Matt Khalil. McCants doesn't have Khalil's athleticism, but in terms of natural physical gifts, McCants has a solid base. 

Overall

If a few things break the right way, Tennessee could come out of April with one of the better drafts. Fox and Sanu are both potential starters as rookies (especially if Britt isn't ready for the start of he season). McCants is more of a project, but has enough upside to make it worth the risk in the third round. The value of this draft (+2) is solid and as a young team, the Titans are already a little ahead of schedule in terms of being a factor in the playoff race. Adding more young talent at need positions could push that progress forward.

Final Thought

Tennessee has the luxury of being in a position to win while they rebuild. The AFC South has one really good team and three teams putting together their identities. Unfortunately, they have the loaded NFC North on their schedule this year which means another 9-7 record may actually be a step up for the Titans, particularly if Jake Locker ends up starting the majority of their games. The development of Locker and the health of their team, particularly with Britt and Johnson, will determine how dangerous the Titans can be as teams push toward the postseason.