As of August 18 the Titans had five tight ends on their roster: Bo Scaife, Alge Crumpler, Craig Stevens, Jared Cook, and Matthew Mulligan. In their second preseason game all five of them played snaps, and the rookie Jared Cook out-performed them all with six catches for 56 yards, from all three Titans quarterbacks.
When asked if he was surprised how much he was used, the third round draft pick from South Carolina said, “I just tried to take advantage of every situation I was put in.”
The 6’5” 246-pound continues his great training camp and preseason — he also had three catches for 30 yards in the Hall of Fame game — and the kid might just not only make, but play a significant role on the team.
If this year’s preseason is any indicator, Tennessee plans to utilize the tight end position heavily this season. In their second drive in the first quarter Kerry Collins threw to three different TE's in four passes, the fourth pass: an interception while throwing to wide receiver Nate Washington.
Second string QB Vince Young came in during the second quarter to run two drives, and on seven passes, five are to TE’s. Third string QB Patrick Ramsey comes in and his only drive of the third quarter is utilized with three passes, all three to TE’s.
You get the point.
In fact out of 17 completions Saturday, 11 (65%) were to a tight end.
So which tight end do you draft?
At this point, with the current depth chart not set in stone, it’s too early to draft a tight end from the Titans. But Cook could certainly be a sleeper — he could also be a complete dud who doesn’t even make the team.
If the rook does well in the next couple preseason games he might be an option in the late, late rounds. Other than that, of course Scaife is a great option for an early pick at tight end, as he looks to improve upon last year’s 58 receptions for 561 yards, and two TD’s.
Scaife shared the TE role with nine-year veteran Alge Crumpler last season. Crumpler caught 24 passes for 257 yards and one TD. The former Falcons TE is listed as 6’2” 262 lbs., but looked noticeably heavier in the Hall of Fame game when he made three catches for 32 yards in the first quarter. He could be a problem for anyone getting in his way, but expect Crumpler to play more of a blocking role this season.
There is also that rumor out there that the Titans might pick up Marvin Harrison, which would change things just slightly.
Stay tuned to developments in the Music City.
