The Tennessee Titans always address offensive line depth and need in the NFL Draft. But they almost never do so using a first-round pick.
That will almost assuredly be the case again this weekend when the Titans assemble their war room and begin making their selections to bolster their roster for 2002.
The Titans have never selected a center with their first draft pick, have not selected a guard with their top choice since grabbing Hall of Famer Mike Munchak 20 years ago and last took a tackle in 1993 when they selected Brad Hopkins.
Most of the time, the Titans have used the middle and late rounds of the draft to stockpile offensive linemen. Not counting the soon-to-be-retired Bruce Matthews, Tennessee’s current offensive line includes a third-rounder (Zach Piller) and a fifth-rounder (Benji Olson) at guards, Hopkins and free-agent pickup Fred Miller (a fifth-round pick of the Rams) at tackles, and backups Jason Mathews (signed as a free agent), Adam Haayer (sixth round) and Barry Hall (undrafted). The Titans have two free agents who could return in center Kevin Long (seventh round) and 2000 trade pickup Gennaro DiNapoli.
What this says about the Titans’ offensive line is that it is a group of players mixed, matched and meshed together to form a decent unit.
And there is no real reason to believe the trend won’t continue in the 2002 draft.
The only real scenario of Tennessee picking an offensive lineman with its top choice would be if there are no real values left at No. 14 at defensive tackle, defensive back or wide receiver.
In that case, look for general manager Floyd Reese to attempt to trade down to the lower third of the first round and pick up an extra draft choice in exchange.
Even though many of these players will likely be gone by the time the Titans get around to drafting an offensive lineman, let’s take a look at some of the top prospects available in this year’s draft.
Center
LeCharles Bentley of Ohio State appears to be the consensus top pick among centers available this draft. But even that probably won’t net him first-round consideration – at least not from Tennessee.
“There are some good centers. Unfortunately for the centers, they usually sit there on the draft board for a while. They are good players, but they sit there,” Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.
Therefore, Bentley, a former tackle who can also play guard, is one needed position player who just might be around when the Titans pick in round two or three.
Other centers who merit consideration include Seth McKinney of Texas A&M, Melvin Fowler of Maryland, Jason Skukanec of Brigham Young, P.J. Alexander of Syracuse and Scott Peters of Arizona State.
Guard
Toniu Fonoti is bigger than most of Tennessee’s current linemen (6-3, 350), but as a junior declaring for the draft could have some upside. Tennessee went the same route with Olson, who then spent his “senior season” being a backup for the Titans and learning under Munchak’s tutelage.
A guard who could start by his second season is a possible need for the Titans on draft day, as Piller can become an unrestricted free agent after next year if not signed to an extension.
Andre Gurode of Colorado is versatile enough to play at both guard and center and could become a solid pro player.
Auburn’s Kendall Simmons played tackle for the Tigers last season, but like Piller, who played tackle at Florida, could shift to guard in the NFL.
Tennessee’s Fred Weary, at 6-4, 310, has the height to play in the NFL, but there are questions regarding his durability after a rash of injuries in college.
Tackle
The top two tackle prospects could be gone by the time Tennessee makes its pick at No. 14. Bryant McKinnie of Miami has franchise left tackle size (6-8, 340) and ability and could be a top 10 selection.
Mike Williams of Texas, if he overcomes the knee problem he played through in 2001, is also a tackle worthy of top 10 selection.
Levi Jones of Arizona State is a notch below McKinnie and Williams, but still might make it into the first round.
While there are franchise tackles to be had, the position is not a high priority for Tennessee in this draft, considering they have Hopkins, Miller and Mathews all under contract.
However, with those players all having several seasons under their belt, drafting a tackle somewhere is not out of the realm of possibility.