NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans added speed and strength during the 2012 NFL Draft. More important, general manager Ruston Webster and coach Mike Munchak said, is that they added competition at multiple positions. Webster and Munchak believe that increased competition will make everyone better as they battle for roster spots and playing time on Sundays.
Here's a recap of the Titans' draft choices:
Round 6, 190th overall: FS Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State
Martin delivered big hits to opponents and helped vault the Cowboys to new levels of success. Several scouts projected that he would be selected in earlier rounds, but Martin tore his meniscus during a workout and couldn't fully participate in the scouting combine. The Titans went to watch him before the draft and were impressed.
College stats: Started 37 consecutive games at free safety, where he made 179 tackles (143 solo) and recorded 36 pass breakups. Martin added eight tackles for loss, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Martin on conducting workouts for teams after his surgery but before he fully trained:
"It was very important. I understood the timing of the injury when it happened and just the fact that it's better to get some numbers on the board than not to have any at all. Without proper training or anything, as soon as I got healthy I wanted to go out there and run and show the guys I still have a competitive side to me and I still have the ability to run and to compete."
Webster on Martin being available in the sixth round:
"Markelle was a guy who we felt like his knee was going to be good enough to be ready to go. I think Markelle had a chance to be a higher pick had he not had the injury. We were able to get Brett (Maxie) and Brett was real motivated to go see him. Also, I think his junior year was a little better than his senior year, and that affected him."
Munchak on when Martin will be 100 percent:
"The good thing there is we don't have offense versus defense until June. We can't do OTA's until after Memorial Day weekend, and then he should be able to do all things. In the meantime, he shouldn't be limited because it's more time with your coaches and more time in individual drills."
