Is it too early for me to start nerding it up about the NFL Draft? Of course it isn't. Bowl season is under way, the NFL playoffs are taking shape, and most importantly, my team's season has become the equivalent of the tightly-coiled brown piles left on the front lawn by my neighbor's dog. So why not look ahead at some of the possibilities for next season - not specifically for the Titans, but for the league in general.

Rather than hem and haw about who the Titans should draft, whether or not Andrew Luck should be taken first, or who's better - Jake Locker or Ryan Mallett, I'd instead like to look at handful of guys whose names might not necessarily be household ones, but who should garner consideration in the mid-to-late rounds. Most people generally lose interest in the draft after the second, or maybe the third round; not me - because I am a big dork. I enjoy when broadcasters and other football fans say things like, "Who the hell is Michael Hoomanamanui?" because I get to say "He's a tight end from Illinois, taken by the Rams in the 5th round," and then they look at me like I'm insane for knowing that (which I sort of am, but that's fine.) The guys I'm going to talk about here are not sure-things - they are great college players who have the potential to contribute at the next level. Here are four guys I wouldn't mind seeing my team spend anywhere from a 4th to7th round pick on.

Owen Marecic - FB/LB, Stanford

For most players, ironman football ends after high school. It's very rare that you get a player in Division I college football who plays at a high level on both sides of the ball. Marecic doesn't stand out as a superstar at either position, but he plays both very well. As a fullback, he isn't known for carrying the ball, but rather for being a punishing lead blocker. Go to Youtube and look up highlights of Toby Gerhart at Stanford in 2009. Then, try to find one that doesn't begin with #48 barreling over defenders and opening up holes big enough for Carey Elwes to fit through. (Have you seen him lately? He's fat!) Betcha ya can't. Marecic is a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, which goes to the most versatile player in college football. He's also an academic All-American. Basically, he's the kind of guy who's good for your team regardless of where he plays. He can contribute on offense, defense and special teams (the latter being a big consideration once you get into the fourth and fifth rounds.)

Casey Matthews - LB, Oregon

Younger brother of Packers Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews; son of former Pro Bowl linebacker Clay Matthews, Jr.; grandson of former NFL lineman Clay Matthews, Sr.; nephew of 14-time Pro Bowl lineman Bruce Matthews. WHY WOULD YOU NOT DRAFT THIS GUY?



Matt Sczcur - WR/RB/PR, Villanova

Every year there seems to be a small-school gem that everybody gushes over in the weeks approaching the draft. Villanova's diminutive (5'9, 190lbs), dynamic receiver/return man will be one of those guys this year, gauranteed (along with Troy's Jerrell Jernigan.) Sczcur (pronounced 'Caesar,') is a two-sport athlete, piling up the accolades in baseball as well as football. In fact, Sczcur has already been drafted by the Chicago Cubs (5th round of the '10 draft.) He will have a decision to make regarding his athletic future. Now, in my opinion, there are two factors that should point Sczcur toward the NFl as opposed to MLB. The first is the undeniable fact that Danny Woodhead single-handedly made it okay to take a chance on scrappy white guys who are normally considered "too small" to play in the NFL. Think about it - what team in the NFL right doesn't wish they had a Danny Woodhead? Secondly, there was another two-sport athlete with a fucked-up name - this one from Notre Dame - who chose to play for the Cubs rather than enter the NFL draft. RIP, Jeff Samardzija. Wait, what do you mean he's still alive? Are you sure? You've actually, physically seen him? Interesting.

In the words of the infernal Jon Gruden, "I LIKE MATT SCZCUR! THIS GUY (insert random, general compliment)..." He had a great game against Appalachian State in the FCS Semi-Finals (16 carries, 104 yds, 3 TDs; 5 Rec, 45 yds, 1 TD; 2/2 passing, 58 yds, 1 TD) but struggled in a loss the following week to Eastern Washington (9 carries, 36 yds, 1 TD; 4 Rec, 25 yds;) Hopefully he enters the draft, and if he does, someone will take a chance on him... or at least they should.



Cecil Shorts - WR, Mount Union

At 5'11, 190 lbs, Shorts doesn't have the prototypical size for an NFL receiver... right? Wait, what is that one guy's name... plays for the Eagles... 5'10, 190 lbs... DeSean something, right? (Ask the G-G-G-G MEN if they know his name.) Another guy... Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace - listed at 6'0 (no way he's 6'0), 190. Lack of ideal size doesn't necessarily mean you aren't going to be successful in the National...Football...LEAGUE anymore. Shorts is a playmaker who could easily be spending his future Sundays playing with/against former Purple Raider receiver Pierre Garcon.