The NFL's Top 50 Draft Classes of the Decade: No. 46 Tennessee Titans, 2006

46. Tennessee Titans, 2006
Team Achievements: 39-25 since 2006, 2008 Wild Card Berth.
Notable Selections: Vince Young, QB, Texas (No. 3), Lendale White, RB, USC (No. 45), Calvin Lowry, S, Penn St. (No. 102), Stephen Tulloch, LB, NC State (No. 116), Cortland Finnegan, CB, Samford (No. 215), Quinton Ganther, RB, Utah (No. 246).
*Received No. 45 and No. 116 picks from Philadelphia in exchange for Titans' No. 39.
Draft Class Accolades: Lendale White- 2,349 rushing yards, 24 career touchdowns, 15 in 2008.
Vince Young - 2006 Offensive Rookie of the Year, 2006 Pro Bowl, 27-13 regular season record as Titans' starting QB, 32 passing touchdowns, 39 interceptions, 12 rushing touchdowns.
Calvin Lowry - 69 total tackles, 11 starts in two seasons with Tennessee.
Cortland Finnegan - 2008 All-Pro, Pro Bowl, 11 career interceptions, 3 touchdowns.
Stephen Tulloch - Led Titans in total tackles in 2009 (120).

Overall Draft Analysis: In spite of widespread on and off the field controversy, Vince Young astonishingly continues to deliver unconventional victories for the Titans. Young's 27-13 regular season record (a remarkable record considering the team's lack of offensive weapons outside of Chris Johnson) trumps the quarterback's pedestrian passing statistics. The former Longhorn legend's future remains uncertain, but sustained success would likely secure the signal caller's fate as a Titan. With the emergence of Johnson, arguably the NFL's most elite runner, the disgruntled White has likely played his final game as a Titan. The second round running back quietly compiled respectable rushing resume in Tennessee, including a 15 touchdown campaign in 2008. Talented tackler Tulloch has steadily improved each season as a Titan, forming a solid, young nucleus with Finnegan, Jason Jones, and Michael Griffin for the Titans' defense of the future. Finnegan, the No. 215 pick, stunningly earned All-Pro honors in his first year as a starter in 2008. Last season, a lingering hamstring injury hampered the cornerback's production, further illustrating Finnegan's value to the Titans' defense. After ranking No. 2 in points allowed the previous season, Tennessee drastically dropped to No. 28 in 2009.

Apart from the sensational contributions of the four previously mentioned Titans, the rest of the team's 2006 draft yielded minimal impact. Tennessee's current roster claims no other player from the '06 class, while Lowry serves as the only other player to start as a Titan. Nonetheless, drafting an All-Pro in the seventh round remains a rare and remarkable feat. Finnegan joins Jay Ratliff and T.J. Houshmandzadeh as the decade's lone seventh round position players selected to the Pro Bowl. Ultimately, critical personnel decisions will determine the lasting legacy of the team's 2006 selections. For better or worse, expect the Titans' to stick with Young and regularly compete with Houston and Jacksonville for bridesmaid honors in the AFC South.

The Titans' "Perfect Draft" in Retrospect
(Keeping actual trades, only players of same position are eligible)
No. 3 - QB Jay Cutler, No. 45 - RB Maurice Jones-Drew, No. 102 - S Dawan Landry, No. 116 - LB Stephen Tulloch, No. 137 - LB Omar Gaither, No. 146 - DT Kedric Golston, No. 172 - WR Miles Austin (Undrafted), No. 215 - CB Cortland Finnegan, No. 245 - LB Gary Guyton (Undrafted), No. 246 - RB Mike Bell (Undrafted).

Reference:
All stats, draft results, and biographical information provided by:http://www.pro-football-reference.com/.