No. 54

by Music City Miracles Earl Bennett Wide Receiver Vanderbilt

With the 54th overall selection in the 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Tennessee Titans have selected Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett.  Jimmy, head of the Titans community Music City Miracles, made the pick and explains himself below:

  I said when I picked Calais Campbell that the Titans cannot afford another project at receiver.  Earl Bennett is not the biggest or fastest receiver in the draft, but he might be the most NFL ready.  Bennett is my favorite receiver in this draft because he is a gamer.  He leaves Vanderbilt as the all-time receptions leader (236) in the Southeastern Conference after just three seasons.  

He may not have the vertical speed that he needs on paper, but he makes up for it by doing all the little things right.  Bennett is an excellent route runner and is very good at reading defenses.  He knows how to get open, and he is not afraid to go over the middle or go up to make a tough catch.  His numbers are even more impressive when you consider who he had throwing the ball to him after his freshman year.  He also has punt return experience which is something the Titans desperately need.
 
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:

  I love, love, love, LOVE this pick. Bennett is an amazing receiver, the SEC's all-time leader. He can separate from defenders, but is crafty enough to make tough catches in traffic. He's my favorite receiver in this draft, bar-none. Bennett can instantly add to a receiving core that is lacking consistency.

Grade: A++  ::  Earl Bennett Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining: 1.  LB Shawn Crable, 2.  RB Jamaal Charles, 3.  TE Fred Davis, 4.  QB Chad Henne, 5. TE Martin Rucker

The Seattle Seahawks, once again represented by the fine folks at Field Gulls, are on the clock.  Their pick will be posted at about 10AM eastern tomorrow morning.  Stay tuned!