Post by Titans GM (Chris R) on Feb 12, 2012 16:20:52 GMT -5
The Tennessee Titans hold the following draft picks over the next four years. I know some of the potential underclassmen for the 2014 and 2015 drafts. I don't know who will emerge past that point plus its way to early to speculate any potential top picks past 2015 with some players still in high school.
2012 1st Round 16th Overall
2012 2nd Round 48th Overall
2012 3rd Round 78th Overall from Philadelphia Eagles
2012 3rd Round 80th Overall
2013 2nd Round Pick from Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2013 2nd Round Pick
2013 3rd Round Pick
2014 1st Round Pick
2014 2nd Round Pick
2014 3rd Round Pick
2015 1st Round Pick
2015 2nd Round Pick
2015 3rd Round Pick
Tennessee Titans 2012-2013 original projected cap space $68,315,000
The Titans plan on franchise tagging DeSean Jackson. This will cost us $9,521,000 against the cap. This now puts the Titans at $58,794,000 to spend on free agents.
The Titans will spend $9,566,000 million to franchise tag Cortland Finnigan as well. The Titans will have $49,228,000 to spend in free agency after tagging Finnegan.
Tagging Michael Griffin would only cost 6 million plus I would have more to spend on lower tier free agents for backups. I could get my roster to 35 players and barely be over the 45 million dollar cap floor that is required. Also there is a good chance Dre Kirkpatrick or Janoris Jenkins would be available at corner with the 16th pick.
Subtract $2,017,000 for putting a tender on LeGarrette Blount and the Titans have $47,211,000 to spend on free agency if no one matches my level 3 tender for Blount by giving up a 2012 first round pick
I will have to pay my first round pick 1 Million, 2nd round pick 400 K and both 3rd round picks 300 K. Each team needs a minimum of 45 million in cap room to spend plus 35 players on the roster if I'm not mistaken.
Quarterback Outlook
Josh Freeman $6,585,000 in 2012-2013, $8,430,000 in 2013-2014
Rusty Smith $490,000 in 2012-2013
Josh Johnson is a UFA. Johnson did not meet the Titans expectations in 2011-2012. Josh Johnson will be a UFA. We may take a look at a suitable backup in free agency.
2014 features a few quarterbacks to watch in case Josh Freeman continues to regress under Greg Schiano. Schiano was a former college football coach at Rutgers and Freeman has two years left on his deal. Also, after 2012, I will not have a first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. I traded my 2013 first round pick to the Buccaneers in the blockbuster deal the Titans made. I got Freeman, Johnson, Blount, and a 2013 2nd rounder. The Titans got Hasselbeck, Locker, Johnson, and a 2013 1st rounder.
After 2012 I will not have a first round pick until 2014 so I need to study these other quarterbacks for 2014 besides Josh Freeman because odds are one of them might be the face of the Titans in a few years if Freeman does not turn things around under Schiano in Tampa Bay.
Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray will be a senior and the early favorite to go #1 overall in 2014 if he returns for his senior year. While Bray was injured Peyton Manning a former Tennessee QB advised Bray to return for his senior year. My dad graduated from Tennessee. Tyler Bray seems like the kind of QB that would play all 4 years at Tennessee. The Titans consider the hometown Bray the top quarterback prospect for 2014 if he plays all 4 seasons at Tennessee.
Two underclassmen to watch are Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion.
As a true freshman Bridgewater threw 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Bridgewater completed 64.5 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,129 passing yards. That's promising for a highly touted 5 star recruit at quarterback considering that Bridgewater had no supporting cast.
Sean Mannion of Oregon State is currently a redshirt freshman heading into his sophomore redshirt season in 2012. Back in November, Mel Kiper Jr. tweeted that Mannion is arguably his favorite freshman quarterback at this point. Mannion probably will be a 2014 first round pick if he waits 2014 to declare. Mannion may be the man in the PAC 12 after Matt Barkley graduates from USC.
Bryn Renner of North Carolina will graduate in 2014. Renner was redshirted in 2009 before seeing limited action as a backup behind TJ Yates in 2010.
After Yates got some starting experience in Houston for the Texans Renner went on to start for North Carolina as a sophomore redshirt.
The 6 foot 3 215 pound Bryn Renner has better physical tools than TJ Yates. Renner threw 3,086 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in his first year as a starter for the Tar Heels.
Renner has a chance to be a first round pick in 2014 if he can improve upon his numbers in 2012.
Renner will probably return for his senior year with underclassmen like Aaron Murray and Logan Thomas expected to emerge from this crop of 2013 draft prospects. Murray and Thomas have a chance to emerge in the discussion as potential Titans quarterbacks if either returns for their senior seasons.
Clemson's Tajh Boyd and Washington quarterback Keith Price could be in the mix to be the Titans new signal caller in 2014 if Freeman does not turn things around.
Running Back Outlook
LeGarrette Blount is set to become an RFA I'll place a level 3 tender on LeGarrette Blount. This means a team has to send the Titans a 2012 first rounder if they want Blount. This also means I give up $2,017,000 in cap room if no one matches the tender. Blount can be an effective starting back.
While Lamar Miller and Chris Polk are legit second round prospects neither is guaranteed to be available in round 2 when you take the offensive line prospects out of this draft. Plus having 2 first rounders, 2 2013 2nd rounders, and 2 2012 3rd rounders gives me enough ammunition to trade up for Alabama running back Trent Richardson if a team wants Blount that badly.
I could also take Lamar Miller or Chris Polk with the pick I receive from a team for Blount. I'm willing to deal both of my 2013 3rd round picks to move up for Miller or Polk if either player slips out of the first two rounds. If I did not get Blount and Miller or Polk fell to the 2nd round, I would instantly make a move for Miller or Polk.
I pick 48th in round 2 along with picking 78th, and 80th in round 3 so keep that in mind when looking for potential trading partners on draft day.
There are 4 different underclassmen after Richardson, Miller, and Polk. Only 1 of those 4 underclassmen backs really stands out in my eyes. The Titans may considering using one of our 2 third round picks if that back falls to us.
See RFA tender amounts for more information on RFA Tenders.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restricted_free_agent
Javon Ringer $565,000 in 2012-2013 is a UFA in 2013
Jamie Harper signed a 4 year deal after being drafted in 2011-2012. Harper counted $300,000 against cap room last season. Harper is a 2011-2012 lifer player.
The Titans want Blount back for 2012. The 2012 class is strong at running back and 2013 is weak at running back. Ringer and Blount will both have expiring deals next season if both are retained. I'll probably have to sign Blount to a long term deal.
Wide Receiver Outlook
DeSean Jackson has an expiring deal. I will franchise tag him so that will cost $9,521,000 against my cap room. See the link below for how much cap room it costs to franchise tag a player.
Nate Washington $3,400,000 in 2012-2013, $4,200,000 in 2013-2014, and $4,800,000 in 2014-2015
Damian Williams $490,000 in 2012-2013 and $575,000 in 2013-2014
Mark Mariani $490,000 in 2012-2013 and $575,000 in 2013-2014
Justin Gage and LaVelle Hawkins are both set to become free agents.
DeSean Jackson deserves a second chance. Jackson will be the best free agent available if he is not franchise tagged. I traded Kenny Britt and Jared Cook Jr. to the Eagles for DeSean Jackson and a 2012 3rd round pick last season. It looked like I would lose this trade at first when Kenny Britt and Jared Cook Jr. were having some early success in the 2011-2012.
Once Britt got injured and the Eagles finished with a worse record than the Titans in 2012 its safe to say I may have won this trade. Players like Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe, Vincent Jackson, and Marques Colston could become free agents at Wide receiver. None of these receivers are on waiver wires so I assume that each team will try to bring these receivers back at this point.
I would love for Alshon Jeffery or Floyd to fall to the Titans at 16. I don't think it will happen. In the no fun league you cannot draft offensive lineman because they do not account for points. That will push Floyd up a few spots.
Jeffery is a boom or bust prospect that has deep potential. Jeffery will probably blow up the combine and be a top 10 pick.
Michael Floyd reminds me so much of Randy Moss in 1998. Were taking him if other GM's are silly enough to let him slide to 16. In terms of value I would rather have Michael Floyd with a top 16 pick than Justin Blackmon with a top 5 pick. Floyd has been just as productive and consistent as Blackmon while facing much tougher competition. Our receiving core will be scary good if we get Floyd, DeSean Jackson, and Nate Washington all on our roster next season.
Tight End Outlook
The Titans are losing both Craig Stevens and Tom Santi to free agency. Neither tight end is good enough to retain. Both tight ends are going on the waiver wire. The fact that both tight ends made a minimal impact in 2011-2012 is one of the main reasons why the Titans missed the playoffs finishing the year with a 2-5 record after getting off to a fantastic 3-1 start in the first month of the season.
Sign Jeremy Shockey if he is a free agent. If Shockey is on the waiver wire the Titans are making a move for him. The Titans need some veteran presence at tight end I feel like Shockey still has some juice left in him.
The Titans will need 2 tight ends to solidify their depth chart plus look at the New England Patriots with their two tight end set and how deadly it can become when healthy.
The Titans are eying two tight ends for the 2012 NFL Draft right now. These two tight ends are the top two tight ends in the entire draft at this point. Only one of these tight ends is a first round prospect at this point.
If the first round tight end prospect checks out at the Combine, the Titans will consider selecting this player 16th overall to solidify our offense in the event that Michael Floyd is gone before the 16th pick. I have a feeling the player I'm eying will be available at 16 which is why I am not showing my hand at this point.
Defensive Line Outlook
Derrick Morgan $725,000 in 2012-2013, $1,045,000 in 2013-2014 and $1,365,000 in 2014-2015
Zach Clayton made $300,000 under his rookie contract. Clayton was a 2011-2012 lifer player.
Karl Klug made $300,000 under his rookie contract. Klug was a 2011-2012 lifer player.
Jurrell Casey made $300,000 under his rookie contract. Casey was a 2011-2012 lifer player
Shaun Smith makes 2 million in 2012-2013 and 2 million in 2013-2014.
The Titans will part ways with Jason Jones and Jacob Ford in 2012-2013 by putting both players on the waiver wire.
The Titans really need to find a double digit sack artist. The Titans have enough stability on the defensive line for the time being. The 2012 NFL Draft will be stacked with developmental defensive ends. Besides tight end, finding a defensive end is the biggest priority. This is probably where we will look in round 1, if we cannot get the tight end we want in round 2.
After Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and USC left tackle Matt Kalil, my favorite prospect in this entire draft is North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples. Coples is the one player outside of Luck or Kalil that I could see from this draft class getting into Canton one day.
I may try to trade up for Coples if he slips out of the top 5. It depends on who is picking and where that team is picking.
Linebacker Outlook
Will Witherspoon $3,500,000 in 2012-2013
Akeem Ayers $400,000 in 2011-2012 is a 2011-2012 lifer
Rennie Curran $490,000 in 2012-2013 and $575,000 in 2013-2014
Colin McCarthy $300,000 in 2011-2012 is a 2011-2012 lifer
Gerald McRath $565,000 in 2012-2013
Barrett Rudd will be a free agent. We only need 2 starters at linebacker and were contempt with Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers moving forward. The Titans may consider adding a linebacker like Luke Kuechly or Vontaze Burfict to our 4-3 scheme if either slips to 16th overall.
There are some outside linebackers that I could look at with my other picks outside of round 1. Right now, I'll just focus on the teams current situation at linebacker.
Secondary Outlook
Cortland Finnegan will be franchise tagged because he is so highly coveted at cornerback. I want Finnegan back. Finnegan was one of two Titans defensive players to finish with a total of over 100 fantasy points on defense in the No Fun League. Bringing back Finnigan costs me $9,566,000
Jason McCourty and Verner are also due back with Michael Griffin and Chris Hope set to become free agents. I have to
The Titans secondary was one of the huge strengths to our defense. Cortland Finnegan and Jason McCourty were the only two corners to score over 100 fantasy points on defense this season. Finnegan will be franchise tagged. Finnegan is easily one of the top corners for the free agency period draft.
2012 1st Round 16th Overall
2012 2nd Round 48th Overall
2012 3rd Round 78th Overall from Philadelphia Eagles
2012 3rd Round 80th Overall
2013 2nd Round Pick from Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2013 2nd Round Pick
2013 3rd Round Pick
2014 1st Round Pick
2014 2nd Round Pick
2014 3rd Round Pick
2015 1st Round Pick
2015 2nd Round Pick
2015 3rd Round Pick
Tennessee Titans 2012-2013 original projected cap space $68,315,000
The Titans plan on franchise tagging DeSean Jackson. This will cost us $9,521,000 against the cap. This now puts the Titans at $58,794,000 to spend on free agents.
The Titans will spend $9,566,000 million to franchise tag Cortland Finnigan as well. The Titans will have $49,228,000 to spend in free agency after tagging Finnegan.
Tagging Michael Griffin would only cost 6 million plus I would have more to spend on lower tier free agents for backups. I could get my roster to 35 players and barely be over the 45 million dollar cap floor that is required. Also there is a good chance Dre Kirkpatrick or Janoris Jenkins would be available at corner with the 16th pick.
Subtract $2,017,000 for putting a tender on LeGarrette Blount and the Titans have $47,211,000 to spend on free agency if no one matches my level 3 tender for Blount by giving up a 2012 first round pick
I will have to pay my first round pick 1 Million, 2nd round pick 400 K and both 3rd round picks 300 K. Each team needs a minimum of 45 million in cap room to spend plus 35 players on the roster if I'm not mistaken.
Quarterback Outlook
Josh Freeman $6,585,000 in 2012-2013, $8,430,000 in 2013-2014
Rusty Smith $490,000 in 2012-2013
Josh Johnson is a UFA. Johnson did not meet the Titans expectations in 2011-2012. Josh Johnson will be a UFA. We may take a look at a suitable backup in free agency.
2014 features a few quarterbacks to watch in case Josh Freeman continues to regress under Greg Schiano. Schiano was a former college football coach at Rutgers and Freeman has two years left on his deal. Also, after 2012, I will not have a first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. I traded my 2013 first round pick to the Buccaneers in the blockbuster deal the Titans made. I got Freeman, Johnson, Blount, and a 2013 2nd rounder. The Titans got Hasselbeck, Locker, Johnson, and a 2013 1st rounder.
After 2012 I will not have a first round pick until 2014 so I need to study these other quarterbacks for 2014 besides Josh Freeman because odds are one of them might be the face of the Titans in a few years if Freeman does not turn things around under Schiano in Tampa Bay.
Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray will be a senior and the early favorite to go #1 overall in 2014 if he returns for his senior year. While Bray was injured Peyton Manning a former Tennessee QB advised Bray to return for his senior year. My dad graduated from Tennessee. Tyler Bray seems like the kind of QB that would play all 4 years at Tennessee. The Titans consider the hometown Bray the top quarterback prospect for 2014 if he plays all 4 seasons at Tennessee.
Two underclassmen to watch are Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion.
As a true freshman Bridgewater threw 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Bridgewater completed 64.5 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,129 passing yards. That's promising for a highly touted 5 star recruit at quarterback considering that Bridgewater had no supporting cast.
Sean Mannion of Oregon State is currently a redshirt freshman heading into his sophomore redshirt season in 2012. Back in November, Mel Kiper Jr. tweeted that Mannion is arguably his favorite freshman quarterback at this point. Mannion probably will be a 2014 first round pick if he waits 2014 to declare. Mannion may be the man in the PAC 12 after Matt Barkley graduates from USC.
Bryn Renner of North Carolina will graduate in 2014. Renner was redshirted in 2009 before seeing limited action as a backup behind TJ Yates in 2010.
After Yates got some starting experience in Houston for the Texans Renner went on to start for North Carolina as a sophomore redshirt.
The 6 foot 3 215 pound Bryn Renner has better physical tools than TJ Yates. Renner threw 3,086 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in his first year as a starter for the Tar Heels.
Renner has a chance to be a first round pick in 2014 if he can improve upon his numbers in 2012.
Renner will probably return for his senior year with underclassmen like Aaron Murray and Logan Thomas expected to emerge from this crop of 2013 draft prospects. Murray and Thomas have a chance to emerge in the discussion as potential Titans quarterbacks if either returns for their senior seasons.
Clemson's Tajh Boyd and Washington quarterback Keith Price could be in the mix to be the Titans new signal caller in 2014 if Freeman does not turn things around.
Running Back Outlook
LeGarrette Blount is set to become an RFA I'll place a level 3 tender on LeGarrette Blount. This means a team has to send the Titans a 2012 first rounder if they want Blount. This also means I give up $2,017,000 in cap room if no one matches the tender. Blount can be an effective starting back.
While Lamar Miller and Chris Polk are legit second round prospects neither is guaranteed to be available in round 2 when you take the offensive line prospects out of this draft. Plus having 2 first rounders, 2 2013 2nd rounders, and 2 2012 3rd rounders gives me enough ammunition to trade up for Alabama running back Trent Richardson if a team wants Blount that badly.
I could also take Lamar Miller or Chris Polk with the pick I receive from a team for Blount. I'm willing to deal both of my 2013 3rd round picks to move up for Miller or Polk if either player slips out of the first two rounds. If I did not get Blount and Miller or Polk fell to the 2nd round, I would instantly make a move for Miller or Polk.
I pick 48th in round 2 along with picking 78th, and 80th in round 3 so keep that in mind when looking for potential trading partners on draft day.
There are 4 different underclassmen after Richardson, Miller, and Polk. Only 1 of those 4 underclassmen backs really stands out in my eyes. The Titans may considering using one of our 2 third round picks if that back falls to us.
See RFA tender amounts for more information on RFA Tenders.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restricted_free_agent
Javon Ringer $565,000 in 2012-2013 is a UFA in 2013
Jamie Harper signed a 4 year deal after being drafted in 2011-2012. Harper counted $300,000 against cap room last season. Harper is a 2011-2012 lifer player.
The Titans want Blount back for 2012. The 2012 class is strong at running back and 2013 is weak at running back. Ringer and Blount will both have expiring deals next season if both are retained. I'll probably have to sign Blount to a long term deal.
Wide Receiver Outlook
DeSean Jackson has an expiring deal. I will franchise tag him so that will cost $9,521,000 against my cap room. See the link below for how much cap room it costs to franchise tag a player.
Nate Washington $3,400,000 in 2012-2013, $4,200,000 in 2013-2014, and $4,800,000 in 2014-2015
Damian Williams $490,000 in 2012-2013 and $575,000 in 2013-2014
Mark Mariani $490,000 in 2012-2013 and $575,000 in 2013-2014
Justin Gage and LaVelle Hawkins are both set to become free agents.
DeSean Jackson deserves a second chance. Jackson will be the best free agent available if he is not franchise tagged. I traded Kenny Britt and Jared Cook Jr. to the Eagles for DeSean Jackson and a 2012 3rd round pick last season. It looked like I would lose this trade at first when Kenny Britt and Jared Cook Jr. were having some early success in the 2011-2012.
Once Britt got injured and the Eagles finished with a worse record than the Titans in 2012 its safe to say I may have won this trade. Players like Mike Wallace, Dwayne Bowe, Vincent Jackson, and Marques Colston could become free agents at Wide receiver. None of these receivers are on waiver wires so I assume that each team will try to bring these receivers back at this point.
I would love for Alshon Jeffery or Floyd to fall to the Titans at 16. I don't think it will happen. In the no fun league you cannot draft offensive lineman because they do not account for points. That will push Floyd up a few spots.
Jeffery is a boom or bust prospect that has deep potential. Jeffery will probably blow up the combine and be a top 10 pick.
Michael Floyd reminds me so much of Randy Moss in 1998. Were taking him if other GM's are silly enough to let him slide to 16. In terms of value I would rather have Michael Floyd with a top 16 pick than Justin Blackmon with a top 5 pick. Floyd has been just as productive and consistent as Blackmon while facing much tougher competition. Our receiving core will be scary good if we get Floyd, DeSean Jackson, and Nate Washington all on our roster next season.
Tight End Outlook
The Titans are losing both Craig Stevens and Tom Santi to free agency. Neither tight end is good enough to retain. Both tight ends are going on the waiver wire. The fact that both tight ends made a minimal impact in 2011-2012 is one of the main reasons why the Titans missed the playoffs finishing the year with a 2-5 record after getting off to a fantastic 3-1 start in the first month of the season.
Sign Jeremy Shockey if he is a free agent. If Shockey is on the waiver wire the Titans are making a move for him. The Titans need some veteran presence at tight end I feel like Shockey still has some juice left in him.
The Titans will need 2 tight ends to solidify their depth chart plus look at the New England Patriots with their two tight end set and how deadly it can become when healthy.
The Titans are eying two tight ends for the 2012 NFL Draft right now. These two tight ends are the top two tight ends in the entire draft at this point. Only one of these tight ends is a first round prospect at this point.
If the first round tight end prospect checks out at the Combine, the Titans will consider selecting this player 16th overall to solidify our offense in the event that Michael Floyd is gone before the 16th pick. I have a feeling the player I'm eying will be available at 16 which is why I am not showing my hand at this point.
Defensive Line Outlook
Derrick Morgan $725,000 in 2012-2013, $1,045,000 in 2013-2014 and $1,365,000 in 2014-2015
Zach Clayton made $300,000 under his rookie contract. Clayton was a 2011-2012 lifer player.
Karl Klug made $300,000 under his rookie contract. Klug was a 2011-2012 lifer player.
Jurrell Casey made $300,000 under his rookie contract. Casey was a 2011-2012 lifer player
Shaun Smith makes 2 million in 2012-2013 and 2 million in 2013-2014.
The Titans will part ways with Jason Jones and Jacob Ford in 2012-2013 by putting both players on the waiver wire.
The Titans really need to find a double digit sack artist. The Titans have enough stability on the defensive line for the time being. The 2012 NFL Draft will be stacked with developmental defensive ends. Besides tight end, finding a defensive end is the biggest priority. This is probably where we will look in round 1, if we cannot get the tight end we want in round 2.
After Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and USC left tackle Matt Kalil, my favorite prospect in this entire draft is North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples. Coples is the one player outside of Luck or Kalil that I could see from this draft class getting into Canton one day.
I may try to trade up for Coples if he slips out of the top 5. It depends on who is picking and where that team is picking.
Linebacker Outlook
Will Witherspoon $3,500,000 in 2012-2013
Akeem Ayers $400,000 in 2011-2012 is a 2011-2012 lifer
Rennie Curran $490,000 in 2012-2013 and $575,000 in 2013-2014
Colin McCarthy $300,000 in 2011-2012 is a 2011-2012 lifer
Gerald McRath $565,000 in 2012-2013
Barrett Rudd will be a free agent. We only need 2 starters at linebacker and were contempt with Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers moving forward. The Titans may consider adding a linebacker like Luke Kuechly or Vontaze Burfict to our 4-3 scheme if either slips to 16th overall.
There are some outside linebackers that I could look at with my other picks outside of round 1. Right now, I'll just focus on the teams current situation at linebacker.
Secondary Outlook
Cortland Finnegan will be franchise tagged because he is so highly coveted at cornerback. I want Finnegan back. Finnegan was one of two Titans defensive players to finish with a total of over 100 fantasy points on defense in the No Fun League. Bringing back Finnigan costs me $9,566,000
Jason McCourty and Verner are also due back with Michael Griffin and Chris Hope set to become free agents. I have to
The Titans secondary was one of the huge strengths to our defense. Cortland Finnegan and Jason McCourty were the only two corners to score over 100 fantasy points on defense this season. Finnegan will be franchise tagged. Finnegan is easily one of the top corners for the free agency period draft.