Titans Draft Preview

Going into the 2009 draft, the Titans truly have just one position of need. Not surprisingly, that position is wide receiver.
There's only two proven veterans in Justin Gage and Nate Washington currently on the roster. Outside of that, there's second-year pro Lavelle Hawkins and third-year players Paul Williams and Chris Davis. Neither of the three strike fear into NFL defenses, and an injury to Gage and Washington would have Tennessee in great despair.
Accordingly, the Titans should draft a receiver in the first round. This year's class is deep with talent at the position.
But knowing the Titans, who haven't drafted a receiver in the opening round since taking Kevin Dyson out of Utah before Randy Moss in 1998, they won't.

A trade with Arizona for Anquan Boldin in exchange for a first- and third-round pick has been rumored, as well. I wouldn't count on that either.

So the following is a look at possible first-round players that the Titans might take with the 30th pick.

WIDE RECEIVER

PERCY HARVIN, FLORIDA
Athletically, Harvin is obviously a top-10 talent. But coming out of Florida's spread offense, durability issues and reportedly testing for marijuana at the NFL Combine have caused his stock to fall. He had 40 catches for 644 yards and 7 TDs in 2008.

HAKEEM NICKS, NORTH CAROLINA
Not the fastest receiver, but he makes up for it with good hands and route running. At UNC, Nicks tallied 68 receptions with 1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.

KENNY BRITT, RUTGERS
Out of the three, he's the most NFL ready. He's also the all-time leading receiver in Big East history. In 2008, Britt had 87 catches with 1,371 yards and seven touchdowns.

POSITION PREDICTION
If the Titans go this route, Britt will be the pick. After the Pacman debacle, Harvin won't be chosen. Britt gets the nod over Nicks since he is a little faster.

CORNERBACK
Youngster Cortland Finnegan is a stud, but on the other side, Nick Harper, 34, is getting up there in age. The Titans will draft Harper's future replacement at some point early and don't be surprised if multiple corners are taken with their 10 picks.
VONTAE DAVIS, ILLINOIS
Perhaps the second-best corner in the draft behind Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins, Davis recorded 78 tackles and two interceptions in 2008. At 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds he should be able to hold his own against NFL wide receivers. He's also the younger brother of San Fransisco tight end Vernon Davis.

DARIUS BUTLER, CONNECTICUT
Recorded a 43-inch vertical lead at the NFL combine, so his 5-foot-10, 183-pound frame shouldn't cause too much concern. In 2008, he had 40 tackles and zero interceptions for the Huskies. He's the cousin of Baltimore running back Willis McGahee.

D.J. MOORE, VANDERBILT
A local Nashville product, Moore would be a popular pick among Titans fans. A bit undersized at 5-foot-9, he does have a 39.5 vertical jump. For the Commodores in 2008, Moore had 58 tackles and six interceptions.

POSITION PREDICTION
Davis is the pick. He's bigger and is a proven tackler. Moore is too small, and Butler could have bad hands with his zero picks.

LINEBACKER
Both outside linebackers Keith Bulluck, 32, and David Thornton, 30, are aging and will have to be replaced in the coming years. Like cornerback, at least one replacement will be drafted. If the Titans do go this route, a trio of USC linebackers would be worth taking.
REY MAUALUGA, SOUTHERN CAL
At inside linebacker, probably the least likeliest of the three to be drafted by the Titans. He's a beast with a mean streak and had 79 tackles and two interceptions in 2008.

CLAY MATTHEWS, SOUTHERN CAL
Hard to believe this former walk-on became a starter at outside linebacker for the powerhouse Trojans. The work ethic is obviously there, and he had 56 tackles with 4.5 sacks last year.

BRIAN CUSHING, SOUTHERN CAL
After being plagued by injuries throughout his USC career, Cushing played in all 13 games last season. It showed as the outside linebacker recorded 73 tackles and three sacks in 2008.

POSITION PREDICTION
Since Maualaga plays inside, that leaves him out of the equation. Between Cushing and Matthews, Cushing is just the better player- making him the pick.

DEFENSIVE END
Outside of wide receiver, this may be the biggest need for the Titans. Jevon Kearse, 32, is a shell of his former self and Kyle Vanden Bosch, 30, is coming off an injury-plagued season. Depth and future replacements are definitely needed.
ROBERT AYERS, TENNESSEE
The former Vol would be another popular pick among Titans fans. He has seen his stock soar recently after coming on strong during his season. He had 49 tackles and three sacks in 2008.

CONNOR BARWIN, CINCINNATI
A converted tight end, Barwin made All-Big East defensive end last year when he recorded 53 tackles and 11 sacks.

MICHAEL JOHNSON, GEORGIA TECH
A physical specimen at 6-foot-7, 260 pound, Johnson has been up and down on the draft boards. Last year, he had 46 tackles and nine sacks.

POSITION PREDICTION
The Titans love athletes. Johnson fits that bill nicely.

OVERALL PREDICTIONS
Coach Jeff Fisher loves defense, and the biggest need in the first round - outside of receiver - is defensive end. Accordingly, Johnson becomes the pick.
In the second and third rounds, cornerback and linebacker are filled, respectively. If a receiver is rated highly, they'll be taken due to the Titans' lack of depth.
From the fourth round on, offensive linemen, receivers, corners, linebackers and perhaps a tight end will be added for insurance purposes.