2008 Tennessee Titan draft class: A year two outlook

Despite the not-so-glowing reviews issued by several prognosticators almost immediately after they were selected, the Tennessee Titans’ 2008 draftees more than held their own during their rookie seasons.

Chris Johnson was an impact player who instantaneously made the Titan offense significantly better. The potential of DT Jason Jones was on full display against the eventual world champion Steelers as he consistently made life miserable for Ben Roethlisberger.

With one season in the NFL under their belts, what does 2009 have in store for the ’08 Tennessee Titan draft class?

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The 2008 Tennessee Titan draft class wasn’t so bad after all

Contrary to the beliefs of many draft experts, a widely panned motley crew of rookies proved their worth after all.

Lambasted on the days following the draft for reaching too many times in the small-school cookie jar, the Tennessee Titans were able to find a few gems with their selections last April.

Let’s take a look at how the most recent class of Titan draftees fared in their rookie seasons. 

Preseason mid-term grades for the 2008 Titan draft class

With two preseason games already in the books, some of the rookies from the Titans’ 2008 draft pool have already shown glimpses of their vast potential.
We’re all excited about what scintillating RB Chris Johnson brings to the offense and Jason Jones has already gave us an indication that he will be a big part of the defensive line rotation this year.
It’s time to put on the professor hat and dish out grades on the performance of each of the Titans’ 2008 draftees through the preseason’s halfway mark.

The UDFAs – the rest of the Titans’ rookies

It doesn’t happen every year, but it’s not uncommon for an undrafted free agent rookie to make the Titans’ 53-man roster. Last year it was Biren Ealy and the year before it was Ahmard Hall. In previous years, Drew Bennett and Brad Kassell not only made the team but eventually became starters. UDFA Billy Volek became the #2 quarterback and got a lot of starts when Steve McNair was injured.
Will any of this year’s UDFAs make the team?

What is it with Titans’ seventh-round cornerbacks?

Will the tradition continue with Cary Williams?
The Titans have had some success drafting cornerbacks in the seventh round recently. Three years ago, they selected Reynaldo Hill in the seventh round and he won a starting job by October, beating out veteran Andre Woolfolk, a former first-round pick. Two years ago, they drafted Cortland Finnegan in the seventh round. He was the starting nickelback on opening day in 2006 and won a starting job at corner last year. Finnegan is definitely a keeper.
Will good things happen for the Titans with this year’s seventh round pick, CB Cary Williams from Washburn?

I don’t want to see too much of Stanford Keglar

I just hope we won’t see too much of the Titans’ final fourth-round pick, LB Stanford Keglar, except for on special teams. Not right away.
Why? Because if Keglar sees significant playing time, it will be because Keith Bulluck or David Thornton has been injured. Bulluck led the Titans in tackles for five straight years before Thornton replaced him as the leading tackler last year. I won’t feel good about losing either one of them and being replaced by a rookie.

Can Lavelle Hawkins help the Titans?

As mentioned in my last post, I became more comfortable with the selection of William Hayes after I learned a little more about him. I regret I do not have that same comfort level with the Titans’ second fourth-round pick, WR Lavelle Hawkins.
It’s not because of anything specific about Hawkins — I would feel the same about any receiver the Titans drafted. The WR in the draft I looked at who would have been most acceptable to me was DeSean Jackson, and that was due in large part to his ability as a returner.

Feeling better about William Hayes

My initial reaction to the selection of William “Big Play” Hayes was not favorable. The Titans gave up two picks to move up in the draft, which I disagreed with at the time.
One thing I didn’t like was uncertainty about Hayes’ weight. He was listed at 250-something on some websites, 270-something on others. The 250-pound range, coupled with the fact that he was a converted linebacker, made me think he might be just another outside speed rusher.
I now feel better after seeing the Titans have him listed on their roster at 272 pounds.

Will the 2008 Titan draft class produce immediately?

Outside of S/CB Michael Griffin, the 2007 Tennessee Titan draft class failed to consistently yield positive results during their rookie seasons. RB Chris Henry displayed a few flashes of brilliance, but overall, he didn’t make that much of an impact during his rookie campaign. Fourth-rounder Chris Davis contributed some on special teams, serving as the team’s punt returner, but his six fumbles (three lost) took a little luster off of his rookie performance.
Injuries sealed the fates of DT Antonio Johnson and DE Jacob Ford, who both missed the entire 2007 season because of season-ending leg injuries. WR Paul Williams, despite being healthy, failed to catch a single pass during his rookie year.
As for the remainder of the 2007 draft picks, C/G Leroy Harris and T Mike Otto remain on the roster but WR Joel Filani and DB Ryan Smith are no longer Titans.
In year two of the Mike Reinfeldt regime, the Titans could use some better first-year production from this year’s draft picks. Let’s take a look at each of the 2008 draftees’ chances of contributing as rookies.

Craig Stevens was a draft pick based on value, not need

It seems like every year I get caught up in the all the hype and hoopla during the draft. As the draft progresses and as each Titans’ turn to be on the clock nears, I find myself looking to see what position of need will be addressed next.
I plead guilty for looking so much at positions of need and in the excitement failing to recognize that’s not the way things always work. It was certainly a case of making a decision based on value rather than need when Tennessee called Craig Stevens‘ name with the 22nd pick in the third round, the 85th selection overall.