SBNation NFL Mock Draft, Pick 24: The Tennessee Titans Select...
by TheSportsGuru
on Apr 8, 2008 7:37 PM EDT
in 2008 NFL Draft
 |
 No. 24 |
 Pick by Music City MiraclesCalais Campbell Defensive End Miami (FL) |
 |
Picking at number 24 overall in the 2008 SBNation NFL Mock Draft, the Tennessee Titans have selected Miami defensive end Calais Campbell with their first round pick. Jimmy of Music City Miracles made the selection and explains his rationale below:
This was a tough pick. The Titans' biggest need is wide receiver, but it seems that any of the receivers on the board at this point would take a year or two to make a difference on the field. They simply cannot afford another project at receiver.
That brought me to the defensive side of the ball. The Titans have needs at defensive end and defensive tackle. The need is bigger at defensive end with the losses of Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy in the offseason. The Titans did add Jevon Kearse in free agency, but even in the prime of his career, he was neither durable nor a factor in the run game.
Calais Campbell is a big guy at 6'7 ¾, 290 pounds, who can stuff the run and get after the passer. He had a stellar sophomore season with 20.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, but his production fell off in his junior season (12.5 TFL, 6 sacks). Campbell has all the physical tools to be a dominant end, and the Titans' defensive line coach, Jim Washburn, is really good at getting guys to play to their full potential. The Titans also could use him in a role similar to what they did with Kevin Carter and move him inside on obvious passing downs.
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:
I'm not going to lie, I really like the Tennessee Titans. I always have. I hate this pick, though. Vince Young was the Offensive Rookie of the Year two seasons ago and is now playing on an offense that lost it's best guard and has no real threat at wide receiver. Hell, picking Dan Connor or Jerod Mayo to lock down the middle linebacker position would have made me happy. With good receivers on the board like Devin Thomas (named Mel Kiper's #1 WR today) and Earl Bennett, why take a defensive end? Yes, they lost two good ends in free agency, but they also added Jevon Kearse. If Kearse can play 50% of the snaps, that's a nice addition. Bryce Fisher and Kyle VandenBosch are both of Pro Bowl potential, even if Fisher is aging. This pick makes zero sense, fellas. Tennessee has so many needs at WR, OG and LB. Picking a defensive tackle to replace Randy Starks or potentially Albert Haynesworth would have even worked. Campbell is rated as our 45th player, this is a round too high.
Grade: F :: Calais Campbell Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining: 1. LB Dan Connor, 2. QB Brian Brohm, 3. LB Jerod Mayo, 4. QB Joe Flacco, 5. RB Felix Jones
The 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft will continue with pick 25 tomorrow morning. The Seattle Seahawks are now on the clock, ably represented by the fine folks out at Field Gulls.
0 recs |
26
comments
Read Related
EmailComments
Should of gone Quarterback
Vince Young isnt worth the money he is paid and should be traded. He has NO accuracy and will probably get injured sooner rather than later. Draft now to replace him, he will have a short career.
especially playing THE Indianapolis Colts twice a year :D
by skywalker on Apr 8, 2008 8:04 PM EDT 0 recs
F seems pretty extreme to me.
It's a premium position (DE). It's a need (Kearse is cooked). Campbell had more sacks his sophomore season than Chris Long had his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons combined. Now, Campbell looks stiff, slow and needs a lot of work on his technique, but the talent is tantalizing. Not a slam dunk pick, but, if anything, I think Campbell has fallen too far.
by John Morgan on Apr 8, 2008 8:07 PM EDT 0 recs
Grade
An F may be seen as tough, much like with the Bears. It's not so much about the player, but more the pick and the team. Tennessee has so many needs at other key positions, and have three good players on the roster in Kearse, VandenBosh and Fisher. He's at best a wave player, something that better teams can afford to draft, but not a Titans team who is losing players left and right to free agency.
Campbell did have a good career at Miami, and we had him as a top player before the season. Facing double teams this year he looked stiff and weak, if not uninterested.
by MattMiller on
Apr 8, 2008 8:17 PM EDT
up
0 recs
Not harsh at all
I actually like the Mendenhall pick better than this one. I could see passing on a receiver as there are plenty to choose from later, but either Conner or Mayo would be light years better for a defense then a DE who needs a kick in the pants to be motivated.
by sireric on
Apr 8, 2008 8:26 PM EDT
up
0 recs
LB
Titans play a LOT of the packages with only two LBs on the field so a LB to backup an aging Bulluck on the outside might be nice, but an MLB is not necessary. Both COnner and Mayo may be able to play outside, but most of their experience is inside.
by DonFrancisco on
Apr 8, 2008 10:59 PM EDT
up
0 recs
Actually...
Mayo only moved inside last year to help the Vols. Most of his experience is as an OLB.
by BlueVol03 on
Apr 9, 2008 8:39 AM EDT
up
0 recs
Randy Starks
got very little playing time and does not need to be replaced. The Titans do need a DT however b/c they start Tony Brown who is a nice backup.
by DonFrancisco on Apr 8, 2008 11:01 PM EDT 0 recs
Bryce Fisher
Does ProBowl potential mean cant get on the field ahead of Antwan Odom?
by DonFrancisco on Apr 8, 2008 11:27 PM EDT 0 recs
Vince Young basher
I'm known as a Vince Young basher only because I simply feel he has not lived up to the ridiculous hype placed on him. His Pro Bowl bid in 2006 was a complete joke, and last season the Titans made the playoffs in spite of him rather than because of him.
That said, the Titans are married to Vince. Because of this, weapons are needed. However, despite this I agree with Jimmy that a rookie WR is useless for the Titans right now. WRs typically take two years to develop, and since Tennessee's QB has yet to develop, giving him a rookie WR makes no sense.
The Titans win with defense now; defense and ball control. I understand why Jimmy made this pick: You must pressure the QB to win in the AFC South. A division featuring Peyton Manning and now David Garrard is a QB heavy division. Losing Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy was HUGE this off-season, and if you think Jevon Kearse will be able to do anything for the Titans, you're not living in reality.
Kearse is done. Ask Eagles fans.
The reality is Kearse will not provide much. He is more a stop-gap player now, stemming the bleeding from the DE position. The Titans do not blitz much, running a defense which pressures with the front 4. With LaBoy and Odom gone, the DE position is in major trouble and must be addressed ASAP.
Since Jimmy cannot trade down in this mock, it makes little sense for him not to take a good player who fills a major need. I know Matt disagrees with this, but the simple fact of the matter is Matt is wrong. If the Titans field a defensive line next season without a stud DE, they will win 6 games max! THAT is how important the DE position is. You could put Darren McFadden on this team, but without pressure from the DE position, this team simply. does. not. win.
The only other type of player I could see Jimmy taking here is RB. LenDale White is garbage and Chris Henry is laughable. The Titans have no speed at RB and no play making TE. I could also see them taking Trevor Laws here, but I understand why Jimmy took a DE.
It is a major position of need.
by bigblueshoe on Apr 9, 2008 10:54 AM EDT 0 recs
Thanks, Blue.
While I completely disagree with your opinions on Vince Young, LenDale White, and (maybe)Chris Henry, your analysis of our line situation and the team's view of WRs is spot-on.
It just seems like Matt doesn't take into account how the actual team thinks in his grading. Jeff Fisher has a huge mancrush on defensive linemen and running backs. And we spent high picks on RB both of the last 2 years, with neither of them being a bust, so it is highly doubtful the Titans would select RB here.
As much as myself and other fans want a receiver, I would not be at all surprised to see the Titans pick DE.
by hartley on
Apr 9, 2008 1:43 PM EDT
up
0 recs
No one is wrong
You can't grade a draft the day it happens. Come back in three years, then we can grade this thing.
Tennessee just ignores their needs here. Fisher and Kearse can easily split time at end opposite VandenBosch. If Kearse is done, why are you praising the way the Titans grade players? They did sign him...
The simple fact is that this is not the Titans mock draft, it's ours. You are supposed to make your pick to better the team, not mirror what you think a crumbling franchise may do. Does this pick make Tennessee more competitive with Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Houston? Does it address an immediate need? Does it give them much needed offense to compete with three very good offensive teams?
by MattMiller on
Apr 9, 2008 2:47 PM EDT
up
0 recs
"Wrong"
"Wrong" in this case is in the evaluation, not in the intent. I understand why you think Tennessee should take a WR or an impact LB like Mayo, but I don't think that reasoning is based in what it takes to win football game right now.
Yes, I do believe the pick does make them more competitive. A rookie WR for Vince Young, who still cannot throw the football accurately from the pocket, makes absolutely no sense. In the AFC South, it is a fool's errand to think you can compete with Indy's offense. Not even the Patriots, with their insanely great offense, could really compete. You must have a GREAT defense to consistently beat the Colts, and that defense must rush the passer.
Kearse and Fisher are not the answers to do this, and it is here where I feel your analysis is "wrong." Kearse is done, and Fisher is merely serviceable. Simply relying on Kyle VandenBosch, who will get neutralized with double and triple teams <because in all seriousness who gives a crap about a washed up Kearse?), is a recipe for disaster. Tennessee will never "outscore" the Colts or Jags. They must STOP the Colts and Jags.</p>
This is the REALITY of playing in the AFC South.
To do this, the Titans must re-load at DE or they are DE-AD. It is literally THAT simple. As far as offensive weapons go, a big play RB or a TE makes more sense in the draft, not a rookie WR who will need, at least, two years to develop.
by bigblueshoe on
Apr 10, 2008 12:14 PM EDT
up
0 recs
Rookie WRs
Marques Colston
Anquan Boldin
Larry Fitzgerald
Dewayne Bowe
Michael Clayton
Anthony Gonzalez
Greg Jennings
James Jones
Lee Evans
Randy Moss
I'm probably forgetting a few, but having a marquee receiver never hurt an offense. Ever. If Young isn't the answer at quarterback, get him out of there.
Fisher and Kearse may be washed up, but they are what you have and what you are paying. You've now given first round money to three players at one position.
Adding a running back would be foolish in round one, when the team already has invested in Lendale White and Chris Henry. Are you so quick to give up on players?
by MattMiller on
Apr 10, 2008 2:18 PM EDT
up
0 recs
Cherry picking
You are cherry picking specific WRs that just happened to do well as rookies over a ten year period, forgetting to mention the countless others the bombed or needed time to develop. There are far more of them than the Radny Moss-like rookies you are referencing. Here's some specifics left out:
Guys like Jennings, Colston, Moss, and Gonzalez had elite, Pro Bowl QBs throwing to them as rookies. They also weren't the #1 WR weapon on their teams, as any rookie WR drafted by TN would now be.
Guys like Boldin and Fitzgerald are freaks, and there isn't anyone in the first round that resembles them.
I'm not big on Dwayne Bowe (bad route runner), and I think he's a bad example for your cause here. Same with Michael Clayton. He had one fluky breakout season. After that, he has done next to nothing in the NFL.
Lee Evans and James Jones are good guys, Evans especially. But the strength of guys like Evans and Anthony Gonzalez is they are excellent route runners as well as speed freaks. They also aren't very tall (5'10 for Evans and 6' for Gonzo). In Gonzo's case, it was not until Week 9 that he started to come into his own despite having a very good QB, offense, and support system in Indy.
Again, I see your point, but what you are leaving out here are the plethora of great WRs that take years to develop. Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Chad Johnson, Steve Smith, Terrell Owens, and Hines Ward all needed time to develop, and all those guys are THE premiere WRs in modern football.
For a team like the Titans, they need VETERAN WRs, not rookies.
by bigblueshoe on
Apr 11, 2008 12:19 PM EDT
up
0 recs
2007 Tennessee Titans
5th in rushing
5th in rush D (lost Starks, Odom, LaBoy)
8th in points allowed
22nd in points scored
Jevon Kearse signed a 2 year, $6million contract with $1.3 million up front and $3 million paid his first year.
That's a lot of money for a washed up end.
by MattMiller on Apr 10, 2008 2:28 PM EDT 0 recs
Not with today's salaries
3 million is not that much for a DE in today's market. Antwan Odom just signed a 30 million dollar 6 year deal(11.5 guaranteed). In fact 44 DEs made more than 3 million last season. So...I dont think that just the Titans gave Kearse 3 mill means that he is guaranteed to start. Nor does it mean he isnt washed up.
Also if you want to make list of WR I could make one more than twice as long of guys who have done absolutely nothing. Titans do need WR help, but that doesnt mean that they have to take one first round.
Also, if you are running your own draft assesssment please do not reference Mel Kiper. If I want his assessment of a WR I will read his website.
by DonFrancisco on
Apr 10, 2008 5:27 PM EDT
up
0 recs
Go for it.
Referencing is other well respected analysts is pretty common. You only go to one site for information? That's not good in any avenue.
You guys can keep crying about the grade, but in two weeks we'll see what the Titans do and we'll see how Campbell does next season. That's really the end of it.
by MattMiller on
Apr 10, 2008 5:31 PM EDT
up
0 recs
Does only next year matter
If so then Brohm deserves an F.
Also I dont think the Titans will draft Campbell. I dont think they will have to. That doesnt mean it deserves an F.
by DonFrancisco on
Apr 10, 2008 6:46 PM EDT
up
0 recs
Bryce Fisher couldn't get on the field last year
How in the world can you use him as your case against this pick? Also, take a minute to look at Kearse's history. When he gets hurt, which is a when not if, the Titans would be screwed if they didn't have another option to put on the field. Bryce Fisher is done. Again, doing a little research would make that obvious.
I would have given my right arm to get Meachem in the draft last season. He wasn't active for the Saints all year. Is Devin Thomas better than him? Absolutely not.
by Jimmy on Apr 10, 2008 3:31 PM EDT 0 recs
Thomas v Meachem
Time will tell, but Thomas is a more electric player and can also double on kick returns.
by MattMiller on
Apr 10, 2008 3:55 PM EDT
up
0 recs
Who still hasn't been drafted
by Jimmy on
Apr 10, 2008 5:18 PM EDT
up
0 recs
Ask Buffalo
Ask Brian if he almost drafted him at 11. There have only been three WRs drafted. GMs this year know there's depth in rd2.
by MattMiller on
Apr 10, 2008 5:30 PM EDT
up
0 recs
Votes
75% of the users also think this was a bad pick. It's not just me.
by MattMiller on Apr 10, 2008 5:33 PM EDT 0 recs
2 Things
- I am not crying about the grade. In the end I know the Titans better than you do. That was made obvious when you mentioned Bryce Fisher and Pro Bowl in the same sentence.
- You said yourself there is plenty of depth at WR in the 2nd round. Doesn't that mean it is smart to wait until 2nd round to draft one? 6 picks since mine and Thomas is still on the board.
by Jimmy on Apr 10, 2008 11:24 PM EDT 0 recs
New FanPost
