Don McPeak – USA Today Sports
After four rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft it became clear the Tennessee Titans are doing everything possible to help QB Jake Locker, and that should get the attention of fantasy football owners.
It started with their 10th overall pick of G Chance Warmack out of Alabama. Warmack is naturally a great run blocker, which will also help RB Chris Johnson, but will also vastly help the pass protection. The Titans had 11 different starters on their offensive line last year, which was most in the NFL. Along with that fact, their best lineman, veteran G Steve Hutchinson, retired in March.
The team followed that with trading up to the No. 34 pick to select hometown product, WR Justin Hunter of Tennessee. The 6-foot-4 receiver has excellent speed and gives Locker not only another vertical threat, but also insurance for the trouble Kenny Britt. The Titans now have two talented young receivers with Hunter and Kendall Wright, who had a solid rookie season with 626 yards and four touchdowns. Couple this with Britt, who can hopefully stay on the field, and Nate Washington and Locker has plenty of receivers to choose from.
After going defense in the third, the team addressed the offensive line again by taking C Brian Schwenke out of California. The 6-foot-3, 314-pound center is lauded for his quickness off the snap and could start out of the gate.
The team has clearly drafted with the intention of building around Locker, and in his third year the quarterback will have to prove he can stay on the field and get it done. He has managed to play only 16 games in two seasons but was off to a nice start last year before his season ended abruptly.
Locker will have every opportunity to get it done this season and with better protection and improved weapons is absolutely worth a fantasy football selection as a QB2 with plenty of upside.
Rich Arleo is a fantasy sports expert with Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Rarleo, ‘Like’ him on Facebook and add him to your networks on Google.
