But the Titans are confident enough in Kenny Britt -- and desperate enough at the receiver position -- that their first-round pick will get the chance to contribute at least as a third receiver.

Britt, taken with the 30th pick overall in the draft, has the size, hands and speed to become the type of big-play receiver Tennessee has lacked for much of the team since the team moved from Houston in the mid 1990s. It marked the first time since Kevin Dyson in 1998 that Tennessee had selected a wide receiver in the first round.

"I don't think he is far away at all," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "I think he is going to come in here and we feel that he is not going to have any difficulty learning the offense. He is one of few guys at the top of the (rookie) group that really handles bump-and-run and can release and has been taught to release. That is one of the more difficult things to teach at this level or if not the most difficult thing to be able to do early. That is what you have to have to be able to play early."

Offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger likes the potential Britt has, and the fact that he comes recommended by Heimerdinger's one-time pupil in Denver, Rod Smith, helps Britt's case.

"There is a toughness to him," Heimerdinger said. "Again I think it all depends on how fast he can catch on to the system and go. I think technique-wise he is very good and I think the biggest thing for how fast a wide receiver comes on all the time is when they learn their technique is important, and that you just can't out-speed or out-athlete people on this level because all the corners are good.

"I think Kenny has been very well taught, so it is just a matter of how fast we can get him up to speed on the offense and how much he can handle."

Smith helped Britt train and prepare for the Combine and the draft in Arizona, and the former Broncos star put in the good word with Heimerdinger on Britt's behalf.

"He told me about his work ethic and the way that Kenny had worked for him and the things that he had tried to help Kenny with," Heimerdinger said. "He said Kenny did all the things that he was trying to help with and improve on."

Britt had 87 catches his final season at Rutgers, and currently he would fall into line behind veterans Justin Gage and Nate Washington in the pecking order.

Beyond that, the cupboard is not well stocked with a lot of strong NFL credentials. Last year's fourth-rounder, Lavelle Hawkins, is the best of the group, but struggled to learn the system a year ago and had only seven catches.

A pair of 2007 picks -- Paul Williams and Chris Davis -- might not even make the 2009 roster, unless they show more than they have to date.

Britt knows much is expected from him and soon, and says he is ready for the challenge.

"I know receiver is one of the hardest positions to translate from the college level to the NFL level so I'm willing to work 24 hours a day on my route-running and on the board stuff," Britt said.