For the second time in three years, the Tennessee Titans looked at all the available head coaching candidates and went out of their way to offer the job to the worst guy available. In this case, it’s Mike Vrabel, who inherits a loaded Titans squad from Mike Mularkey, who was, scientifically, the worst head coach in the history of the NFL.
Vrabel did, at least, hire a decent enough staff, beginning with the guy the team should have hired as their head coach in the first place, former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur. It shows a lot of confidence (or hubris) from Vrabel to hire LaFleur. We’ll see how that works out for him.
In any case, here’s what Vrabel and general manager Jon Robinson should do with their draft.
Round 1, Pick 25: Tremaine Edmunds, ILB, Virginia Tech
2017: 108 tackles, 14 for a loss, 5.5 sacks, two passes defended, three forced fumbles (6-5, 250 pounds)
Edmunds is a freak of nature that should be able to play all four linebacker spots in defensive coordinator Dean Pees’ defense. I’d be tempted to keep him outside and let him rush the passer. The dude runs a 4.54 40 and is the size of Walter White’s Winnebago.
Round 2, Pick 57: Jeff Holland, DE, Auburn
2017: 45 tackles, 12.5 for a loss, 9.5 sacks, one pass defended, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery (6-2, 249 pounds)
Regardless of where they line up Edmunds, the Titans need to add some pass rush. Holland projects more like a classic 3-4 pass-rushing outside linebacker. He’s put up consistent numbers in the SEC and rarely lined up on a Saturday where he wasn’t facing NFL-level talent on the other side of the field.
Round 3, Pick 89: M.J. Stewart, CB, North Carolina
2017: 45 tackles, five for a loss, two sacks, 12 passes defended (6-0, 205 pounds)
The Titans have already spent money and draft capital on their defensive backfield and they should have a tremendous group. What Stewart adds as a value pick in the third round is a guy that can play corner and safety. Tennessee is especially thin at the latter.
Round 4, Pick 125: Ito Smith, RB, Southern Mississippi
2017: 248 carries, 1,415 yards, 13 touchdowns, 40 catches, 396 yards, two touchdowns, five kick returns, 94 yards, 18.8 yards per return (5-9, 195 pounds)
Tennessee brought in Dion Lewis to back up Derrick Henry and conceivably deliver a one-two punch at running back. Might I suggest adding Smith too? He can contribute on special teams, run and catch the ball out of the backfield. LaFleur should find plenty of excuses to get him out on the field.
Round 5, Pick 162: Justin Jones, DT, N.C. State
2017: 34 tackles, 9.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, one fumble return (6-2, 312 pounds)
Tennessee is solid on the defensive front, but could use some depth. Jones probably projects more as an end in the Titans’ scheme.
Round 6, Pick 199: Mason Cole, Center, Michigan
6-4, 280
As of this writing, Tennessee has just one center on the roster. No reason not to add Cole in the seventh, especially since he can also play guard.
