DRAFT WATCH: Titans add offensive help

The final Titans' picks in the 2002 NFL draft addressed a couple of offensive needs - a tackle and a speed receiver - as well as one defensive position where depth could be a problem.

The Tennessee Titans finished the 2002 draft adding some depth at two need positions and grabbing another fast wide receiver.

In the sixth round, the Titans provided offensive line coach Mike Munchak with some fresh blood by drafting Kansas tackle Justin Hartwig.

Tennessee had two choices in round seven, grabbing Northern Illinois receiver Darrell Hill with the 225th pick and taking defensive end Carlos Hall with the 240th choice.

Hartwig played right tackle for the Jayhawks and surrendered just one sack in his final two seasons of college football. However, with the Titans already having four tackles on the roster, Hartwig will likely be shifted to guard by Tennessee.

“I’ve always played tackle in my career at Kansas, but I just got off the phone with coach Munchak and he said he’s going to work me in at guard and tackle,” Hartwig said. “Whichever position gives me the best opportunity to play is fine with me.”

Hill, a former teammate of Justin McCareins at Northern Illinois, actually broke his finger in 2000 and did not get a chance to team with McCareins during McCareins’ senior year. He is eager to reunite with him in Tennessee.

“It a nice thing,” Hill said. “In the 2000 season, I got hurt. I had a broken finger. We always used to wonder what it would be like, now I guess we’ll get the chance.

Hill has sub 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash and big-play potential averaging 21.6 yards per catch and scoring seven touchdowns for Northern Illinois as a senior. He is said to have the same type of skills as McCareins, but is said to lack the polish.

As for Hall, a defensive end from Arkansas, he has the physical tools and the opportunity to win a backup end spot behind Jevon Kearse and Kevin Carter.

Hall is a gifted athlete with a 42-inch vertical leap, but has declined every season after being a member of the freshman All-SEC team. In that regard, he might compare to Titans defensive tackle Robaire Smith, another quality player who fell in the 2000 draft because of questionable work habits.