 |  No. 24 |  Pick by Music City MiraclesCalais Campbell Defensive End Miami (FL) |
SBNation NFL Mock Draft, Pick 24: The Tennessee Titans Select...
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Picking at number 24 overall in the 2008 SBNation NFL Mock Draft, the Tennessee Titans have selected Miami defensive end Calais Campbell with their first round pick. Jimmy of Music City Miracles made the selection and explains his rationale below:
This was a tough pick. The Titans' biggest need is wide receiver, but it seems that any of the receivers on the board at this point would take a year or two to make a difference on the field. They simply cannot afford another project at receiver.
That brought me to the defensive side of the ball. The Titans have needs at defensive end and defensive tackle. The need is bigger at defensive end with the losses of Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy in the offseason. The Titans did add Jevon Kearse in free agency, but even in the prime of his career, he was neither durable nor a factor in the run game.
Calais Campbell is a big guy at 6’7 ¾, 290 pounds, who can stuff the run and get after the passer. He had a stellar sophomore season with 20.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, but his production fell off in his junior season (12.5 TFL, 6 sacks). Campbell has all the physical tools to be a dominant end, and the Titans’ defensive line coach, Jim Washburn, is really good at getting guys to play to their full potential. The Titans also could use him in a role similar to what they did with Kevin Carter and move him inside on obvious passing downs.
Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:
I'm not going to lie, I really like the Tennessee Titans. I always have. I hate this pick, though. Vince Young was the Offensive Rookie of the Year two seasons ago and is now playing on an offense that lost it's best guard and has no real threat at wide receiver. Hell, picking Dan Connor or Jerod Mayo to lock down the middle linebacker position would have made me happy. With good receivers on the board like Devin Thomas (named Mel Kiper's #1 WR today) and Earl Bennett, why take a defensive end? Yes, they lost two good ends in free agency, but they also added Jevon Kearse. If Kearse can play 50% of the snaps, that's a nice addition. Bryce Fisher and Kyle VandenBosch are both of Pro Bowl potential, even if Fisher is aging. This pick makes zero sense, fellas. Tennessee has so many needs at WR, OG and LB. Picking a defensive tackle to replace Randy Starks or potentially Albert Haynesworth would have even worked. Campbell is rated as our 45th player, this is a round too high.
Grade: F :: Calais Campbell Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Prospects Remaining: 1. LB Dan Connor, 2. QB Brian Brohm, 3. LB Jerod Mayo, 4. QB Joe Flacco, 5. RB Felix Jones
The 2008 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft will continue with pick 25 tomorrow morning. The Seattle Seahawks are now on the clock, ably represented by the fine folks out at Field Gulls.
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