Whom The Tennessee Titans Should Have Drafted

Below are the abbreviations for the positional players:


QB = quarterback
RB = running back
FB = full back
WR = wide receiver
TE = tight end

C = center
OT = offensive tackle
OG = offensive guard

DT = defensive tackle
DE = defensive end

LB = line backer

CB = corner back
S = safety
SS = strong safety
FS = free safety

P = punter
PK = place kicker
KR = kick returner

With the 28th pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, the Titans selected Andre Woolfolk (CB). Woolfolk was hardly a starter and wasn't a play maker, so this was an absolute horrible pick. A much better draft choice here would have been Nnamdi Asomugha (CB), Ken Hamlin (S), Anquan Boldin (WR), Osi Umenyiora (DE) or Rashean Mathis (CB).

The Titans drafted Tyrone Calico (WR) in the 2nd round. Calico also was just a role player and didn't produce on the field. Instead of another wasted high draft selection, Tennessee could have used a more useful player like Jason Witten (TE) or Lance Briggs (LB).

In round 3, Tennessee chose Chris Brown (RB) and initially looked like a good draft pick for a couple of years, but he never could stay healthy. The Titans should have selected Justin Fargas (RB), Terrence McGee (CB) or Asante Samuel (CB).

Tennessee drafted Rien Long (DT) in the 4th round of the draft. Long too found himself on the bench more than the playing field. The Titans could have gotten more value out of this draft choice by selecting Robert Mathis (DE).

Donnie Nickey (S) was taken in round 5 and is another bench player. Tennessee could have drafted starters like Dan Koppen (C) or Cato June (LB). Round 7 brought Todd Williams (OT) to the team, but Williams played in only seven games during his three-year career with the Titans. A better option here would have been Kris Dielman (OG). Dielman, Antonio Gates (TE) and Tony Romo (QB) all went undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft. Since they were undrafted, they could have signed with any team that wanted them.

The Titans had a brutal 2003 NFL Draft by selecting the wrong players with every draft choice. Look at how much better their team would have been this year alone if they drafted or signed the players below.


Summary Of Players The Tennessee Titans Should Have Acquired In 2003

Nnamdi Asomugha
Jason Witten
Justin Fargas
Robert Mathis
Cato June
Kris Dielman
Antonio Gates
Tony Romo

The Titans had no 1st round draft selection in the 2004 NFL Draft. Tennessee, however, did have three draft picks in round 2. With the 40th and 42nd overall pick, the Titans chose Ben Troupe (TE) and Travis LaBoy (DE). Both of these players were average at best and certainly did not deserve to be selected this high in the draft. Tennessee should have picked Bob Sanders (SS) and Darnell Dockett (DT).

Antwan Odom (DE) was grabbed with the other 2nd round selection. Odom was also an underachiever during most of his time with the Titans. An improved draft choice here would have been Nick Hardwick (C).

Round 3 brought Tennessee two more draft selections: Randy Starks (DT) and Rich Gardner (CB). Neither of these guys were elite players, so instead of these wasted draft choices, the Titans should have taken Chris Cooley (TE), Matt Schaub (QB) or Nathan Vasher (CB).

The Titans had two draft picks again in the 4th round, which were used on Bo Schobel (DE) and Michael Waddell (CB). Again, these players saw limited action on the football field because they were not play makers. Two play makers Tennessee should have selected were Jared Allen (DE) and Michael Turner (RB).

In round 5, the Titans again made two draft selections that were used to bring Jacob Bell (OG) and Rob Reynolds (LB) to the Tennessee roster. Bell actually started the majority of games he played in, so this was a rare good draft choice for the Titans. However, Reynolds was not a good investment of a draft pick (he was really unproductive). The franchise should have taken, Wes Welker (WR), who was an undrafted free agent.


Summary Of Players The Tennessee Titans Should Have Acquired In 2004

Bob Sanders
Darnell Dockett
Nick Hardwick
Matt Schaub
Nathan Vasher
Jared Allen
Michael Turner
Wes Welker

1. Chris Johnson
2. LenDale White
3. Tennessee Titans defense
4. Kerry Collins
5. Rob Bironas

In the 2005 NFL Draft, the Titans regrettably chose Adam "Pacman" Jones (CB). "Pacman" Jones has a well documented troubled past that has affected his playing time. All of the hassle Jones brought to the Titans franchise was certainly not worth it. A vastly better option here in the draft would have been any of these Pro Bowlers: DeMarcus Ware (LB), Shawne Merriman (LB), Roddy White (WR), Lofa Tatupu (LB), Nick Collins (S), Frank Gore (RB), Logan Mankins (OG) or Jammal Brown (OT).

Tennessee drafted Michael Roos (OT) in round 2. Roos has been an excellent player at his position and was rewarded for his play by being selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2008. Courtney Roby (WR) was grabbed in the 3rd round by the Titans. Roby only played in Tennessee for two years. The team should have drafted Justin Tuck (DE). The Titans selected another receiver with their second 3rd round draft choice: Brandon Jones (WR). Jones too has underachieved in the Tennessee offense. Marion Barber III (RB) was still available.

With their three draft picks in round 4, the Titans selected Vincent Fuller (S), David Stewart (OT) and Roydell Williams (WR). Stewart was the best selection of the three. Stewart has been a starter in every game he has played in, while Fuller is a bench player and Williams played three seasons with the Titans and is no longer with the team. Two better draft choices here would have been Brandon Jacobs (RB) and Trent Cole (DE).

Tennessee chose Damien Nash (RB) in the 5th round. Nash only played in three games for the Titans. Jay Ratliff (DT) was still on the draft board. The Titans also drafted Daniel Loper (OT) in round 5 and is just a backup player. A bigger impact player like Josh Cribbs (KR) was another undrafted star that no NFL team decided to draft.


Summary Of Players The Tennessee Titans Should Have Acquired In 2005

Nick Collins
Justin Tuck
Marion Barber III
Brandon Jacobs
Trent Cole
Jay Ratliff
Josh Cribbs

Vince Young (QB) was taken by the Titans in the 2006 NFL Draft with the 3rd overall selection. Young seemed to be the perfect quarterback to take over for Steve McNair because they have similar play styles. They can both throw and run. However, Young's toughness and maturity has been questioned especially since he may not have the drive to play football anymore. While Young was a Pro Bowler during his rookie year, in 2008 he was demoted from starter to backup to Kerry Collins. Tennessee would have been better off drafting Jay Cutler (QB), DeAngelo Williams (RB), Nick Mangold (C), DeMeco Ryans (LB) or Antonio Cromartie (CB).

The Titans picked LenDale White (RB) in the 2nd round. White usually plays just one role, score a touchdown when at the goal line. This draft choice would have been unnecessary if Tennessee drafted Brandon Jacobs the year before. Jacobs is a much better athlete than the consistently overweight LenDale White. The Titans would have been wise to use this draft selection on Marcus McNeill (OT), Devin Hester (WR), Maurice Jones-Drew (RB), Owen Daniels (TE) or Greg Jennings (WR).

In round 4, Tennessee picked two players: Calvin Lowry (S) and Stephen Tulloch (LB). Lowry only played two seasons with the Titans and Tulloch is just an average player. Better picks here would have been Leon Washington (RB), Brandon Marshall (WR) or Barry Cofield (DT).

Tennessee selected Terna Nande (LB) in the 5th round of the draft. Nande was another disappointing selection as he only played one game for the Titans. Antoine Bethea (FS) was still on the draft board. With another 5th round draft choice, Tennessee picked Jesse Mahelona (DT). Mahelona only played one season for the franchise. Marques Colston (WR) would have been a better value draft pick.

The Tennessee Titans did find a gem in the final round by selecting future Pro Bowler Cortland Finnegan (CB). Finnegan has been extremely productive in the secondary and is a tackling machine.


Summary Of Players The Tennessee Titans Should Have Acquired In 2006

Jay Cutler
Marcus McNeill
Brandon Marshall
Barry Cofield
Antoine Bethea
Marques Colston

The Titans would have more successful seasons if they had drafted better at key moments in several NFL Drafts. In a division with constant playoff contenders like the Colts and Jaguars, the Titans need every bit of help they can get from their players. Tennessee accumulated numerous draft picks between 2003 and 2006, but most of those draft selections were wasted picks.

The Tennessee Titans "dream team" that follows is the actual team the franchise could have drafted. The draft picks below were based team needs and draft choice locations. As feared as the Titans' defense has been in recent years (especially with Kyle Vanden Bosch and Albert Haynesworth on the front line), how scary would the Titans be if they had added Jay Ratliff, Jared Allen, DeMarcus Ware, Nnamdi Asomugha and Bob Sanders?

Tony Romo (QB)
Matt Schaub (QB)

Michael Turner (RB)
Marion Barber III (RB)
Brandon Jacobs (RB)
Justin Fargas (RB)

Brandon Marshall (WR)
Wes Welker (WR)
Marques Colston (WR)

Jason Witten (TE)
Antonio Gates (TE)

Nick Hardwick (C)
Kris Dielman (OG)
Jacob Bell (OG)
Marcus McNeill (OT)
Michael Roos (OT)
David Stewart (OT)

Darnell Dockett (DT)
Jay Ratliff (DT)
Jared Allen (DE)
Justin Tuck (DE)
Trent Cole (DE)
Robert Mathis (DE)

DeMarcus Ware (LB)
DeMeco Ryans (LB)
Cato June (LB)

Nnamdi Asomugha (CB)
Cortland Finnegan (CB)
Nathan Vasher (CB)
Bob Sanders (SS)
Antoine Bethea (FS)

Josh Cribbs (KR)
Leon Washington (RB) - would be used as a kick returner