TENNESSEE TITANS 2018 Draft guide
The Titans enter the offseason needing to upgrade at a few key positions but no desperate needs on the roster. The Titans were aggressive in free agency bringing multiple players that are expected to make an impact this season. Those acquisitions will allow them to draft the “Best player available”. They have 6 picks in the draft to finish adding to a very talented roster.
Below I will breakdown what the titan’s needs and the best prospect to fit those needs and what’s the best round to find those needs.
Middle Linebacker
After not resigning Avery Williamson, the Titans have an immediate need in the middle of their defense. Although Wesley Woodyard is coming off his best season as a titan, repeating his success is still in question. Second-year linebacker Jayon Brown has shown flashes last year but is still learning the game. The Titans would prefer to draft a rookie that will be an immediate contributor. There are a few prospects that fit the Titan’s needs in the first two rounds.
Prospects:
Rashaan Evans, if available the Titans should sprint to the podium and turn the card in. Evans has the potential to be an instant impact player on defense. He plays the run with reckless abandonment and athletic enough to rush the passer and cover running backs and tight ends. 1st round pick
Leighton Vander Esch is a boom or bust prospect that has only one year of production. He became a constant play maker last year for the Boise State Broncos. He would be next in line for the Titans if Evans isn’t on the board and he could be a force against run and coverage. 1st round pick
Malik Jefferson is full of potential and athletic talent, but he couldn’t live up to that hype in college. Under the right tutelage in the league, Jefferson can develop into a legit starter. 2nd round pick
Josey Jewell is a tackling machine!! He flies around the field and has a nose for the ball. He could come in and become a two-down linebacker. 4th-5th round pick
Later round sleepers: Oren Burke, Shaun Dion Hamilton, Micah Kiser, Skai Moore, Darius Leonard
Outside Linebacker:
The Titans have 2 capable starters at outside linebacker with Derrick Morgan and Brain Orakpo, but both are getting a little long in the tooth and could use some help rushing the passer. The Titans must add a player that can boost their pass rush. Similar to free agency this draft isn’t deep with talent in certain positions, so the Titans will have to strike early to get one of the top prospects in the draft.
Prospects:
Harold Landry is a top 10 talent, but he missed some games due to injuries and his production decreased. The likelihood of him on the board at 25 is very slim, but it could happen because it’s a perfect fit. 1st round pick
Josh Sweat used the post-draft workouts as personal coming out party. He forced scouts to go back to the tape and give him another look. Sweat has the frame and athletic ability you desire for an edge rusher. He has the talent and needs with refining in order to become a better player going forward. 1st or 2nd round pick
Marcus Davenport is the athletic freak you need on the edge he blends the edge effortlessly and smooth. Question is, will it translate to the NFL because the competition is superior to the college level. 1st round pick
Sam Hubbard played like an NFL player at times during his college career but never dominated in the fashion I expected. He can be a force against the run and the pass. 1st or 2nd round pick
Later round sleepers: Arden Key, Lorenzo Carter, Dorance Armstrong, Chad Thomas
Interior Defensive Lineman:
The Titans tried their best with a full court press to get Ndamukong Suh. That plan fell through so the Titans must look to the draft to upgrade the position. Jurrell Casey is the only top-notch player the Titans have on their d-line, while Daquan Jones provides quality depth it is pretty slim behind those guys. The Titans can fill multiple d line positions in this draft from the 1st to 6th round.
Prospects:
Vita Vea is the top nose tackle in the draft, he could also play the 3 technique if needed. Vea is a mountain of a man that demands a double team on every play. He is strong and agile enough to be a day one starter in the NFL. Vea is so talented that he should be draft within the top 15 picks. 1st round pick
Maurice Hurst Jr is a penetrating 3 tech that has proved that he can play at high levels, but due to a heart alignment at the combine, his stock has taken drastic hit putting him in play for the Titans with one of their early picks. 1st round pick
Da’Ron Payne has the tools to be a difference maker on the d-line but he hasn’t been able to consistently put it together in college. Payne looks to be one of those players that will be better in the pros than they were in college. 2nd round pick
Harrison Phillips is a high motor player, which has turned himself into a possible day 2 prospect. Phillips motor never stops and he’s athletic enough to make plays in the backfield. 3rd-4th round pick
Later round sleepers: B.J. Hill, Derrick Nnadi, Andrew Brown, Justin Jones, Kahlil McKenzie
Late round needs:
Running back
Safety
Interior offensive line
Receiver/tight end
Backup QB
Jackie Barnes is a Writer for Couch Rider Report. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.