With the NFL Draft just a week away, what better topic for this weekly piece than a look at the biggest draft busts of the Tennessee Titans franchise. Many players could make the list of draft busts for their respective teams. It’s proven to be a roll of the dice.
Just because a player is lights-out in college or runs a four-point-whatever 40-yard dash does not mean they will have a lengthy NFL career. Depending on what experts or fans chime in, some may consider players busts while others don’t. One example is Marcus Mariota. Some fans consider him a bust. But he led his team to the playoffs and a postseason victory, so he doesn’t really constitute being considered as such, where others do.
Here are the top five draft busts of the Tennessee Titans.
Kendall Wright
Wright was selected No. 20 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Baylor standout did have some success with the Titans, but he never lived up to the expectations of a first round draft pick. Rather than a number one receiver, Wright was the third or fourth.
Players drafted after Wright in 2012 include Chandler Jones, Whitney Mercilus, Dont’a Hightower, and Harrison Smith.
Adam “Pacman” Jones
Jones was undeniably talented, but he also had character concerns coming out of college. Looking past that, the Titans took him sixth overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. Jones’ questionable character reared its head time and time again as he had numerous off the field issues and received several suspensions from the league office. When he was on the field, he was a playmaker defensively and as a kick returner. After his tenure with the Titans came to an end, he definitely didn’t live up to being the sixth pick.
Players drafted after Jones in 2005 include DeMarcus Ware, Aaron Rodgers, and Thomas Davis.
Jake Locker
A college standout from Washington, Locker had all the tools and experience. It was perceived by many to be a no-brainer to take him at No. 8 overall in the 2011 Draft. However, the signal caller did not transition well from the collegiate level to the professional game. Injuries and inconsistent play destroyed his NFL career. Locker made just 23 starts for the Titans and retired from the NFL at just 26 years old.
A few names from that draft class that were selected after Locker include J.J. Watt, Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick.
Kevin Dodd
While not a first round pick, Dodd, a defensive end, was the second pick of the second round in 2016, 33rd overall. He played in nine games as a rookie and nine games in his second season, totaling just 12 tackles. Bothered by various injuries, Dodd never reported to training camp in 2018 and was released by the Titans.
A few names drafted after Dodd included Jaylon Smith, Myles Jack, Chris Jones, and 12 picks later a Heisman Trophy Winner from Alabama, who luckily for the Titans was still on the board, Derrick Henry.
Isaiah Wilson
The 2020 first round pick was thought to be a steal after falling to the Titans at No. 29 overall. He was all but guaranteed to start after the team lost right tackle Jack Conklin in free agency. A list of off field distractions and incidents overshadowed his mere four snaps. The Titans chalked him up as a bust after they traded Wilson to the Miami Dolphins for a seventh round pick. The Dolphins waived him shortly thereafter.
Any player selected after him would have been a better choice regardless of who it could have been.
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