Kevin Dodd pick analysis

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) sacks Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker(14) in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers defensive end Kevin Dodd (98) sacks Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker(14) in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tennessee Titans selected Kevin Dodd EDGE, Clemson with the 33rd pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

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Was he on your list?

No he wasn’t, but not because he wasn’t a good player I just didn’t see him in a fit in a 3-4 defense.

Now, someone has since told me that something that Dick LeBeau likes to do is take 4-3 defensive ends and convert them to edge rushers in his defense. I imagine that he does this because (well first off because he has had a ton of success with it) these edge rushers have the strength to hold the edge on the running game while also being able to rush the passer.

Knowing that, sure Dodd should have been on the list. Now, that doesn’t meant that I think he will win in the same way as Brian Orakpo immediately.

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  • How can he become an impact player?

    I think Dodd can be an immediate starter on this team as a sub package defensive end. When the Tennessee Titans show their 4-3 look (which they do more often than you remember) here is what it will look like in my mind.

    WLB: Wesley Woodyard

    MLB: Avery Williamson

    SLB: Brian Orakpo

    LDE (goes vs right tackle): Kevin Dodd

    RDE: Derrick Morgan

    3-tech: Jurrell Casey

    1-tech: Austin Johnson (we will get to him later)

    That is a very good defense in any situation. You have four defensive linemen capable of stopping the run and you have six guys who can really rush the passer well.

    If you are imagining the perfect scenario for Kevin Dodd to make a big impact as a rookie, you want the run defense to be much improved with Dodd seeing a lot of time there. Then after that works you want to see a lot of this sub-package.

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    Warning

    Don’t expect Dodd to be a 10-sack guy, he is very similar to Derrick Morgan in that he is a very good run stopping defensive end that has elements of a pass rusher. Now, I think Dodd has more flexibility than Morgan coming out and I think he can attack the outside shoulder better, than Morgan which helps.

    It will be interesting to see if they use him as a 5-tech at all this year, which is something I think they could and should consider. However, you have to be careful exposing him to so much of the playbook. In Dick LeBeau’s zone blitz scheme, everyone has to do their job and there isn’t a lot of room for leeway. You don’t want to put too much on his plate too early.