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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- On the first day, the Tennessee Titans' draft had a single theme: Find productive players at need positions with the two first-round selections. The Titans used their first pick, No. 5 overall, to select Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis -- a move that was a bit of a surprise.
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Wide receiver has long been an Achilles' heel for the Titans, who went through numerous players from the first three rounds trying to find a true No. 1 receiver.
With Jon Robinson now in charge of the front office, the Titans changed their emphasis on the position from one of potential and raw talent to production and precise route-running. Davis fits that profile; he is the leading receiver in FBS history, with 5,285 yards.
Davis caught 97 passes for 1,500 yards as a senior, and the Titans are confident that his production will translate to the NFL even though Davis did not play in a power-five conference.
While Davis going at No. 5 messed up a few mock drafts, it turned out to be a needed move, because it started a run on wide receivers. Mike Williams went seventh to the Los Angeles Chargers and John Ross ninth to the Cincinnati Bengals.
"We talked the other day about making sure the guy was the right fit for our team, and we really liked Corey a lot on his visit," Robinson said. "Sometime hindsight is best when you look back and three of those guys are gone. We were excited to add him when we added him."
With the No. 18 pick, the Titans addressed the other major need by taking USC cornerback/returner Adoree' Jackson.
The versatile Jackson not only solves the Titans' need for another starting cornerback to pair with free-agent pickup Logan Ryan, but also has dynamic ability as a return man, something the Titans were lacking last year.
"I think that's important for those guys to produce for their three or four years or however long they're in college," Robinson said. "That, for the most part, tends to carry over into the NFL."
Jackson was productive in every aspect of his versatile game, scoring touchdowns as a defensive back, as a return man on punts and kickoffs and as a receiver.
"We're going to start him off at corner, probably outside, and let him get comfortable there before we move him inside," Titans coach Mike Mularkey said, adding that Jackson could also eventually see snaps on offense.
In filling those two positions, the Titans can now focus the remaining six picks on their draft board (barring trades) on taking the best players available. Other than a nickel linebacker, another receiver or cornerback and an on-the-line tight end, Tennessee has very few pressing needs.
