9 picks
#16, 77, 97comp, 111, 148, 185, 207comp, 222, 241comp
Defensive End
Giving up 4,139 passing yards and 31 touchdowns is pretty embarrassing. I know it was tough facing Brady, plus two looks at Peyton Manning and Schaub, but still. By the way, those 5 games produced 1,621 passing yards and 16 touchdowns which helped balloon their stats. Unfortunately this is the AFC South so other than Tom Terrific this is the hand they are dealt, and finding a consistent pass rush is a must. The Jevon Kearse reunion tour is gone. Kyle Vanden Bosch (Lions) took the free agent payday. One year deals were inked for Dave Ball and Jason Babin (Eagles). Anyone with an internet connection has projected this position will be addressed in the first round.
Cornerback
The end has arrived for Nick Harper. Now the senior member of the group is Rod Hood, a midseason addition after being cut by Cleveland. He signed on for one season. Added to the mix is Tye Hill (Falcons) who was released by his former employer and trying to revive a career that started as a first round pick in St. Louis. Those two will compete to start opposite of Finnegan, but someone better will definitely be sought in the draft.
Linebacker
On the weak side rookie Gerald McRath is joined by free agent Will Witherspoon (Eagles) but the other two spots have questions. Strong side starter David Thornton is coming off shoulder surgery and will be 32 by the time his contract ends this season. In the middle, Keith Bulluck had ACL surgery. Considering he is 33 and an unrestricted free agent his future is cloudy. Tulloch, the one projected sub-30 starter on opening day, was tendered as a restricted free agent. It is definitely time to add some youth, and the primary target will be the strong side.
Offensive Line
This is really just a matter of depth because obviously this group just helped Chris Johnson join the 2,000 yard club. Throwing big money at Amano, the plan is to use him at center while Harris slips to guard. Veteran Kevin Mawae, an unrestricted free agent, will only return as a backup. A fourth round pick was spent on Kropog (tackle) and a seventh for Durand (guard) last year. It has been their pattern to add players outside of the top 110. In fact, Roos (#41, 2005) is the only exception to that since the 2000 draft. Expect them to add at least one late rounder at guard or tackle.
Special Teams
Just about everyone got a turn bringing back kickoffs, without very much success considering they had the third lowest average (20.5). Rookie receiver Kenny Britt led the team with 24, but as he emerges as the team's #1 on offense they will not want to risk him on special teams. Another rookie, backup running back Javon Ringer, might be given more opportunities after bringing back 9. I would look for a cornerback with return skills to be sought in the draft. Their punt return average (6.7) was the eighth lowest (6.7) in the NFL as well.
Quarterback
Vince Young is back in the saddle as the franchise player. They even signed Chris Simms (Broncos) so the two of them can talk about what it was like to play quarterback at Texas. I don't care how unreasonable it is, they need to draft Colt McCoy. It would give them the last three Longhorn quarterbacks covering pretty much the entire 00's. Drafting a quarterback is probably reasonable in the later rounds because Kerry Collins turns 38 during the season and did not show much interest in backing up VY last year. Simms is on a one-year deal and when Denver cut him local writers speculated he would follow the footsteps of his father by going into broadcasting. Can he really be counted on for anything other than looking good in a uniform? The Titans can take advantage of a weak crop of quarterbacks by rolling the dice on someone with potential. Perhaps Mississippi's Jevan Snead will be considered.
