Jon Robinson and company have been busy in NFL free agency so far, and the Tennessee Titans draft needs are starting to get a little clearer. They signed former Patriots Malcolm Butler and Dion Lewis to big deals. Fans aren’t used to seeing them make such a big splash, but they did just that. They also brought back guard Josh Kline and defensive lineman DaQuan Jones. Add in role players such as defensive end David King and do-it-all offensive lineman Kevin Pamphile, and that they tendered Quinton Spain, and you’ve got quite the buzzing little free agent class.
But, they did lose inside linebacker Avery Williamson, a fifth round draft pick in 2014. Over the course of his four years with the Titans, Williamson developed into a stalwart in run support. He was a sure tackler and helped foster in one of the best run defenses in the league. He turned down the Titans offer and hit free agency, where the Jets signed him. But, when you look at this class of free agent inside linebackers, Williamson was definitely the prized talent in it.
He’s just 26 years old, and by far, the best possible combination of age, experience, and talent. With Williamson off the market, teams are left to choose between aging vets like Brian Cushing or NaVorro Bowman and younger players who are far less talented than Williamson like Kevin Minter or Gerald Hodges. Kind of a dry class in the sense that you’re probably not going to find many franchise type players at the position.
But, that leaves the Titans in a bit of a hole.
Wesley Woodyard had a stellar 2017 at the ripe young age of 31. Rookie Jayon Brown showed a lot of promise in coverage. But, outside of those two guys, the position’s shrouded in uncertainty. There are still capable guys in free agency that the Titans could add as role players. And, they do have Daren Bates and Nate Palmer on the roster, though those guys are more heavily needed and valued on special teams.
Maybe something can happen for guys like Minter and Hodges, or the Titans could end up with a guy like Will Compton. Regardless, they’re due for an upgrade. At this point, I’d say J-Rob is in a position where he’ll have to use an early pick on an inside linebacker.
There’s a strong case for Rashaan Evans out of Alabama in the first round, should he still be on the board when the Titans select at #25. Evans looks like he has all of the tools to become a career starter in the NFL. Tremendous range, versatile skill set, sure tackler. He could become a beast in the two-tone blue (or whatever the hell color the new uniforms are). Leighton Vander Esch, out of Boise State, is another popular choice among the mocks right now. His athleticism and ability to blitz opposing quarterbacks has him soaring up draft boards.
But, thankfully for the Titans, the positions that they need the most happen to be areas of strength in this year’s draft. Should they elect to go ‘best player available’ in the first round, or address the need in the pass rush, they’ll be okay.
There are concerns surrounding Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson, but he definitely looks the part and should still be available in the second round. The Titans could look no further than right down the road at Vanderbilt and select the shifty Oren Burks. Or, they could take a flier on someone like Alabama’s Shaun Dion Hamilton later in the draft. It’s a deep class, and it’s a good year to have a need at the position.
But, no matter how you slice it, ILB is one of the two biggest needs on this team post-free agency. Passing on one in the draft would be a questionable call to make.
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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