Titans needs: Sharp draft planning right in wheelhouse

The Tennessee Titans are one of the best teams at using the draft to replenish their roster.

Take last year. The Titans, expecting they might lose defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth via free agency, picked Jason Jones in the second round. Most had Jones pegged as a defensive end, but he's now set to take over as the starter for Haynesworth.

Jason Jones gets a chance to make the Titans look smart again. (Getty Images)

That's what good teams do. They plan ahead.

In studying the Titans roster, one will see a deep, talented team that once again should be in the playoff mix.

Last season they surprised some people by winning the AFC South with veteran Kerry Collins becoming a feel-good story as a starter at quarterback. Collins re-signed with the team as a free agent, alleviating the potential fear there might be change.

The offense lacks a big-play receiver, even though Nate Washington was signed in free agency, so they could use an early pick there, maybe in the first round.

The defense is loaded with young players now coming into their prime. If Jones can play like he did in a three-sack game against Pittsburgh late last season, Haynesworth (who signed with Washington) won't be as missed as some think.

The picks on defense might be used on a middle linebacker or a pass-rush end. Help is needed at both spots.

But this isn't a team that needs a lot of help. That's because good drafting is what they do.

QB: The Titans re-signed Collins as a free agent, so they are set there. Collins played well as a starter last season. Vince Young, who lost his job to Collins, is the backup. He needs to be more focused. The team lost Chris Simms, so they could use a No. 3.

RB: They used a first-round pick on Chris Johnson last year and that paid off in a big way. His speed and quickness keyed the offense. Bruiser LenDale White is the backup with Chris Henry in the third spot. Ahmard Hall is a good lead blocker.

WR: They signed Washington as a free agent away from Pittsburgh, and he will join Justin Gage in the starting lineup. Gage has played well, but he's more of a third receiver. Washington has good deep speed, but he has been inconsistent. Depth will come from Lavelle Hawkins and Paul Williams.

TE: With Alge Crumpler as the blocker and Bo Scaife as the pass catcher, they're set. But Crumpler is getting up in years and Scaife isn't a good blocker.

OL: The Titans have the best starting five of any line in the league. The tackles, David Stewart and Michael Roos, are outstanding. Center Kevin Mawae played well last season and guards Eugene Amano and Jake Scott played better than expected. They could use some depth help at tackle.

DL: The loss of Haynesworth will be felt, but they have enough good, young players at tackle that it won't be as bad as expected. Jones will move into the starting lineup next to Tony Brown. Jones had a three-sack game last year. Jovan Haye offers a good third tackle. Kyle Vanden Bosch is a good right end, while Jevon Kearse had his moments last year at left end. Watch out for young Jacob Ford.

Linebackers: Outside linebacker Keith Bulluck is one of the best in the league, and David Thornton is a good player on the other side. Middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch plays hard, but he could be replaced. The backups are raw.

Secondary: Cornerback Cortland Finnegan is one of the game's best, and Nick Harper is solid on the other side. They did lose Chris Carr in free agency, so they could use help there. Safeties Chris Hope and Michael Griffin are outstanding.