The 2022 NFL Draft takes place April 28-30 this year, emanating LIVE from Las Vegas, Nevada. As it stands, the Tennessee Titans have one first round draft pick. General manager Jon Robinson and head coach Mike Vrabel currently hold the 26th overall selection. Over the next few months, 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. Today, we’re lookin’ at Iowa center Tyler Linderbaum.
The offensive line has been one of the hallmarks of this Titans team under JRob and Vrabel. Having a back like Derrick Henry certainly helps, but at times, the success of the Titans offense has been predicated on how well its offensive line performs. That unit is beginning to age, and the Titans could stand to get younger at a couple of spots. There are some hefty contracts on the offensive line, too. Fans and analysts alike are picking their most likely cap casualties on the internet. Arguably, the most critical piece to that offensive line, Ben Jones, is set to be a free agent to boot. It appears that change among this group is inevitable. That’s why, though it may cause Titans Twitter to descent into madness, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Titans invest their first round pick in an offensive lineman. If they’re unable to sign Jones to a new deal, that’s going to create a massive hole at center. That’s where a prospect like Linderbaum could come in and take the reins from day one.
The former Iowa Hawkeye is one of the most accomplished prospects in this draft class. His trophy case includes the 2021 Rimington Trophy, a 2021 unanimous All-American honor, the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year for 2021, and back-to-back first team All-Big Ten honors from 2020-21. Linderbaum is also known as a high character guy off the field as well.
When you watch the tape on Linderbaum, the first thing that jumps off the screen is his athleticism and ability to get to the second level and quite simply find somebody to hit. But, if you watch a little closer, you’ll notice how active his eyes are. Linderbaum is a cerebral player who is constantly aware of his surroundings. Voch Lombardi pointed out a play during which Linderbaum goes through progressions like a quarterback. He’s a savvy prospect to say the least, and that pairs well with his polished technique in pass protection. He demonstrated good feet, fluid movement, and steady balance.
The main concern with Linderbaum is his size, at 6’3″ and 290 pounds. He doesn’t play with a lot of power in the run game. He’s not the prototypical road grader, and that lends itself to questions about how well he will hold up against big, powerful NFL defensive linemen. This all makes him an ideal fit for a zone blocking scheme – it’s like a lot of prospects…if you get ’em in the right spot, they could flourish. Linderbaum has the pedigree to be the best center in this draft and should be a Week 1 starter in the NFL. Those projecting him as a potential guard might be miscasting him, though – he’s played a lot of center, and not a whole lot of anything else. Linderbaum looks like a pure center to me.
He’s a tricky prospect to me. I’ve seen folks suggesting he could go top 10, and I’ve seen folks suggesting he could slip to the end of the first round. I don’t think he’ll be in play for the Titans at #26, but he’s a guy I’ve seen mocked to them several times. He could be a good fit with the Titans run game, but it’s all going to hinge upon what happens with Jones. If they re-sign him, why would you invest a first round pick in a center? If they don’t, well, then Linderbaum fills an immediate need. We’ll have to see what free agency holds for this team, but the interior of the offensive line is definitely in play at #26.
Further reading: Iowa Hawkeyes football center Tyler Linderbaum raises $30,000 for Iowa Children’s Hospital
2022 TITANS FIRST ROUND OPTIONS
If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to The Unofficial Titans Podcast on Apple Podcasts, follow us on Spotify, or wherever you take in your podcasts!
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
