Backdraft: Tennessee Titans

BACKDRAFT SERIES: For 16 days leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft, we're rolling out capsule draft histories of each of the 32 NFL Teams.

 

Backdraft Series

Apr. 12 - Packers | Steelers

Apr. 13 - Bears | Jets

Apr. 14- Patriots | Falcons

Apr. 15- Ravens | Seahawks

Apr. 16- Saints | Eagles

Apr. 17- Colts | Chiefs

Apr. 18- Buccaneers | Giants

Apr. 19- Chargers | Raiders

Apr. 20- Jaguars | Dolphins

Apr. 21- Rams | Lions

Apr. 22- Vikings | Texans

Apr. 23- Redskins | Cowboys

Apr. 24- Titans | 49ers

Apr. 25- Browns | Cardinals

Apr. 26- Bengals | Bills

Apr. 27- Broncos | Panthers

2011 Draft Position:

• 8

 

First-Ever Draft Pick:

• Billy Cannon, RB, Louisiana State (1960) The AFL’s first draft had a provision where each of the eight clubs one “territorial” or “bonus” pick.

Most Recent Draft Pick:

• David Howard, DT, Brown (7th round, 241st overall, in 2010) 
 

Hall of Famers Drafted:

• Mike Ditka – 1st Round, 1961 AFL (Also drafted in 1st Round - 5th overall – in NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears)
• Charley Taylor – 2nd Round (9th Overall), 1964 (Also drafted in 1st Round - 3rd overall – in NFL Draft by Washington Redskins
• Dave Wilcox – 6th Round (46th Overall), 1964 (Also drafted in 3rd Round - 29th overall – 1964 NFL Draft by San Francisco 49ers
• Ken Houston - 9th Round (214th overall), 1967
• Elvin Bethea - 3rd Round (77th overall), 1968
• Charlie Joiner - 4th Round (93rd overall), 1969
• Steve Largent - 4th Round (117th overall), 1976
• Earl Campbell - 1st Round (1st overall), 1978
• Mike Munchak - 1st Round (8th overall), 1982
• Bruce Matthews - 1st Round (9th overall), 1983
 

First Overall Pick in the NFL Draft:

• 1978 – Earl Campbell, RB, Texas
• 1973 – John Matuszak DE Tampa
• 1965 – Lawrence Elkins, E, Baylor
 

Billy Cannon	Earl Campbell	Bruce Matthews

Did you know?

The Houston Oilers so wanted Texas native and Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell that they packaged multiple draft picks and tight end Jimmy Giles together and traded them to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to get the top pick in the 1978 NFL Draft. The biggest name the Bucs got with the draft picks was QB Doug Williams.

Campbell became an instant star as he led the NFL in rushing in each of his first three seasons to start a career that earned him a bronze bust in Canton.

 

Quotable:

"We'd like to take credit for being smart, but we know we were lucky. It was a calculated risk, and we were fortunate that it worked out the way we wanted."

That’s how Houston general manager Floyd Reese described the fortunes of the 1996 NFL Draft. The Oilers had their sights on Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George and were hoping the Ohio State running back would be around by the time they were ready to make their pick in the ninth spot of the first round.

George was still on the board when it came time for the Oilers to select. But, Reese surprised football experts when he swapped places with the Raiders and dropped to 17th overall but picked a second- and a fourth-round pick.

He figured, based on other teams’ needs, that George would still be around by the time they used the pick acquired from Oakland. But, not willing to risk the chance, the Oilers sent defensive tackle Glenn Montgomery to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for their first-round choice at the 14th spot.

With that, the Oilers got their man and drafted George who went on to be the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.

 

Shop:

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Who in '11?

Post your comment about who you think Titans will take in the first round on Thursday. Why?