The 2018 NFL Draft takes place April 26-28 this year, and as it stands, the Tennessee Titans have one first round draft pick. General manager Jon Robinson and first year head coach Mike Vrabel currently hold the 25th overall selection. Over the next few weeks, your boy “Big Natural” Stoney Keeley will be taking a look at some of the prospects who are either rumored to be tied to or who make sense for the Titans.
It’s no secret that the Titans need pass rush help. Whether it’s a defensive tackle, outside linebacker, or defensive end, wherever they can get it, they need the boost. Not just for 2018 either. They need someone who can come in and start for a long time. Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo both played well under ideal conditions in 2017. Both men have a history of injuries, but neither missed significant time in 2017. Erik Walden was a serviceable third guy, but the Titans lost him to free agency. Kevin Dodd hasn’t panned out. That leaves Josh Carraway and Aaron Wallace – both of whom have shown flashes in training camp and the preseason, but haven’t made much of an impact otherwise.
So, it stands to reason that the Titans spend an early pick on an OLB/DE. Hell, the team could stand to add a couple next week!
Recently, reports surfaced that they held a visit with Texas Longhorns LB Malik Jefferson. As far as 2018 goes, Jefferson wouldn’t be asked to come in and do it all right away. That seems to be the biggest knock on the kid so far. He’s fast, athletic and rangy, but he “doesn’t display the instincts to be a MLB” in the NFL. That’s hurt his stock, and now many people have him sliding in the draft because he’s not as dynamic as other prospects.
Well, it just so happens that the one thing Jefferson excels at is the one thing the Titans need most on defense. So, it seems like he’d be able to jump in, play significantly, and play well in this situations. That’s what we call a “good fit,” folks.
Jefferson possesses elite speed, has sideline to sideline range, and can cover tight ends if need be. He doesn’t play with a lot of aggression according to some scouts, and he doesn’t always hold his ground when taking on blocks. Thankfully, the Titans already have the 4th-ranked rushing defense in the NFL. It’s not like they need a run stuffer. They’re already pretty set in that department. What they need is pure speed and a pure rusher, and the former Longhorn fits the bill.
Maybe #25 is a little early for Jefferson, but if he’s your guy, you have to take him while you have the opportunity. It’s no given that guys like Harold Landry, Marcus Davenport, or Sam Hubbard are going to be there. Considering that the Titans don’t need the run support, and strictly need athletes to get to the quarterback, I’d say they could do a lot worse than taking Jefferson in the first round.
Further Reading: “So rather than try to make himself the proverbial square peg trying to fit into a round hole, Jefferson spent his draft process trying to highlight what he does well. That’s run like a deer and track the ball in the open field…” –Jeff Howe on Jefferson’s frame of mind for the draft process on 247Sports.
2018 TENNESSEE TITANS FIRST ROUND OPTIONS ARCHIVES
Lorenzo Carter
Marcus Davenport
Rashaan Evans
Ronnie Harrison
Will Hernandez
Sam Hubbard
Ronald Jones
Harold Landry
Leighton Vander Esch
Vita Vea
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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