CHICAGO -- Once the 2015 NFL Draft kicked off, it took all of 24 hours for the Tennessee Titans to solve their identity crisis.
The NFL's most anonymous organization, lacking any semblance of recognizable stars since discarding former 2,000-yard rusher Chris Johnson, has finally generated excitement for the Nashville faithful.
The Titans took a second-round gamble on intriguing red-zone monsterDorial Green-Beckham after landing a potential franchise savior in quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Reinvigorated coach Ken Whisenhunt now boasts a 25-or-under offensive nucleus of Mariota, wide-receiver trio Green-Beckham, Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter, running back Bishop Sankey, guard Chance Warmack, left tackle Taylor Lewan and third-round right tackle Jeremiah Poutasi.
Even if it takes another draft or two to challenge the Colts for the AFC South crown, the Titans will at least be more fun to watch in 2015 -- starting with Mariota versus Jameis Winston in a Week 1 rookie quarterback showdown.
Let's take a look at the rest of the winners and losers from Friday night's second and third rounds:
Winners
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers quarterback: Dave Gettleman has proven to be one of the league's best drafters since taking over the Panthers' war room. He has an uncanny knack for spotting talent that will fit his team's needs. Understanding that Newton is wild high and needs targets with expanded strike zones, he has picked up humongous wide receiversKelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess in the past two drafts. It's not a matter of if but when Newton's contract will be extended. The team is being built around his unique skills.
Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback: Winston has the potential to develop into the face of the franchise. The one concern is that the Buccaneers had the NFL's worst offensive line in 2014 -- and failed to upgrade in free agency. Winston has to be thrilled to see the Bucs add tackle Donovan Smith and guard Ali Marpet in the second round.
Geno Smith, New York Jets quarterback: When Smith first joined the Jets, he was welcomed by the league's most inept wide receiver corps. After adding Eric Decker, Brandon Marshall and Jace Amaro over the past two years, the Jetsdrafted speedy playmakerDevin Smith with the 37th overall pick on Friday. Geno Smith's surrounding talent has improved enough to become Gregg Rosenthal's pick for Comeback Player of the Year.
New York Giants: Despite their protestations to the contrary, the Giants desperately needed a safety after losing Antrel Rolle, Stevie Brown and Quintin Demps in free agency. Landon Collins was widely viewed as the best safety available in a shallow crop. Although the Giants were compelled to trade up for Collins, they did so at a fair price.
Losers
Denard Robinson, Jaguars running backs: General manager David Caldwell views second-round pick T.J. Yeldonas a three-down back, pushing Robinson into a change-of-pace role better suited to his skill set. Robinson proved to be a boom-or-bust runner rather than a consistent chain mover last season.
Josh McCown, Cleveland Browns quarterback: The Browns showed too much faith in underwhelming veterans Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline, failing to pull the trigger on an early-round wideout for the second consecutive draft. The team hasn't drafted a wide receiver since selecting undersized Travis Benjamin in the fourth round of the 2012 draft.
Baltimore Ravens' all-name team tight ends: Ozzie Newsome traded up to select Maxx Williams, the consensus top tight end in the draft. Regardless of Dennis Pitta's health, that will likely push Crockett Gillmore and Phillip Supernaw -- two of the best names in football -- down the depth chart.
NFC West run defenses: After grabbing the draft's best bruising runner in Todd Gurley, they picked up a road-grading right tackle Rob Havenstein in the second round and athletic guard Jamon Brown in the third. It doesn't hurt that last year's first round pick, left tackle Greg Robinson, flat-out blows defenders off the ball in the running game. The Rams are set up to challenge Marshawn Lynch and the Seahawks as the division's dominant ground attack.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast recaps the first round of the NFL Draft. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
