The 2013 NFL Draft has come and gone and the Titans have added 8 drafted players to their roster, along with 14 undrafted free agents. This article with focus on the draft class but stay tuned for another article on the UFDA class. In addition, I am going to grade each Titans draft pick individually. So let’s get to it!
ROUND 1 PICK #10: CHANCE WARMACK, OG ALABAMA
It is no secret I was an unabashed Chance Warmack fan girl from early on. I first began talking about him as a possible draft pick in November of 2012, and mocked him to the Titans in my first draft in January 2013. My draft blog on him explains why I love this pick and why I am giving the pick an A. Chance Warmack Pre Draft Blog
** Warmack is one of 5 team captains the Titans drafted in 2013
GRADE: A
ROUND 2 PICK #34: JUSTIN HUNTER WR THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
Easily the most controversial pick of the draft as the Titans traded their second round pick (#40), seventh round pick (#216), and next year’s third round pick (TBD) to the San Francisco Forty Niners to move up 6 spots and draft former University of Tennessee wide receiver Justin Hunter.
As everyone probably knows I am a Vols fan but I don’t typically advocate signing or drafting UT players just because they played for the Vols. Let’s face it that pipeline has been clogged with fail for the most part. However, I love the Titans picking Hunter. Before he tore his ACL, Hunter was one of the best young wide receivers in college. A rather disappointing 2012 season, both personally and for the team, hurt his draft stock a little and there were questions regarding commitment but those were answered for me during the pre-draft process. Hunter excelled both at the combine and at his pro day at Tennessee. After drafting him the Titans revealed they had a first round draft grade on him and you can bet your last dollar they weren’t the only one.
At 6′ 4″ and 196 Hunter will beef up and be a playmaker the Titans desperately need. While 2012 first round pick Kendall Wright showed flashes, the addition of Hunter will give Jake Locker another option in the passing game and will open up the field for other options as well, most notably new addition tight end Delanie Walker. Titans fans have reason to be excited about next year’s offense as new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains should be able to take advantage of his new weapons.
** Hunter was one of 5 team captains the Titans drafted in 2013
GRADE: A
Justin Hunter NFL Draft Profile
ROUND 3 PICK #70: UCONN DB BLIDI WREH-WILSON (FOREVER AFTER BW3)
Prior to the draft the Titans expressed an interest in adding a cornerback to the squad who can play press coverage and after taking BW3 they said he could do it. Unfortunately, they also said they might later convert him to safety. I was prepared to like this pick even though I didn’t think cornerback was a big need until the Titans indicated they weren’t sure what position he would play.
For the record, I’m not a fan of drafting a guy fairly high with no plan on where you intend to play him. I’m fine with taking a cornerback in the 3rd round if you are convinced he is the press corner you desire, OR if you think he is the Darren Sharper (for the record he seems best suited to free safety to me) BUT I’m not a fan of a no plan pick at this range. We tried that approach with Michael Griffin and you see how well that worked out. I simply believe a 3rd round pick, especially a high 3rd round pick, should be the best available player at his position.
In any event, I do like BW3’s potential and I am going to look at him at his natural position of cornerback. aT 6′ 1″ he is the tall rangy CB that is currently the rage right now and he has good speed. He was very productive in college with the only big knock on his being his arm tackling and inconsistent angles at times. The question I had with him prior to the draft was his hip flexion but hopefully trainers can work with him on that issue. He said he is comfortable with press coverage and has played it in the past.
** BW3 is one of 5 team captains the Titans drafted in 2013
GRADE: B- (DOWNGRADED DUE TO INCONSISTENCY BY THE TITANS ON HIS POSITION) (GRADED SOLEY AS A CB A SOLID B)
ROUND 3 PICK #97: ZAVIER GOODEN LB MISSOURI
ROUND 4 PICK 107: BRIAN SCHWENKE C CALIFORNIA
ROUND 5 PICK 142: LAVAR EDWARDS
ROUND 6 PICK 6 PICK 202: KHALID WOOTEN DB NEVADA
ROUND 7 PICK 248: DAIMION STAFFORD SS NEBRASKA
