Tennessee Titans: Evaluating 2014 NFL Draft Needs with No. 11 Pick
Linebackers
Dec 22, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) during the first quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
A successful 3-4 defense must have a dominant slate of linebackers who can win their one-to-one assignments against opposing offensive linemen, tight ends and running backs. The 2000s Pittsburgh Steelers and 2010s San Francisco 49ers have consistently effective defenses. That’s largely because of their do-it-all linebackers who can win battles at the line of scrimmage, rush / contain the quarterback, tackle, and cover tight ends or even slot receivers when needed.
Where do the Titans stand? Probably something like this: Akeem Ayers – Zach Brown – Moise Fokou – Kamerion Wimbley. Maybe Derrick Morgan plays with his hand up but no idea how he’d handle pass-coverage responsibilities. Same with Lavar Edwards. Zaviar Gooden doesn’t appear to fit in anything other than four-man alignments.
Brown was repositioned to WILB because someone has to do it. You’re probably thinking, “Someone has to do it? That’s not a good enough excuse to move Brown out of position…”
Yeah…that just shows everyone that there are a plethora of questions to address at linebacker. Who fits where? Do the Titans have that double-digit sack guy who can create havoc off the edge? What about depth?
For the last five seasons, I’ve watched the Green Bay Packers transition to a 3-4 defense. Excluding 2010, it hasn’t been effective. General manager Ted Thompson has had a lot of difficulty finding players who fit defensive coordinator Dom Capers‘ scheme. Arguably, the most glaring omission is an effective outside pass-rush specialist opposite of Clay Matthews. And when Matthews goes down with injury as he so often does, the Packers’ lack of pass rush makes them look like a prevent defense. Everyone knows how ineffective those are…
Can Ayers, Wimbley, or Morgan provide that dominant outside presence? In three seasons, Ayers has nine sacks. Wimbley’s best seasons were 2006 (11 sacks) and 2010 (9 sacks). Wimbley has experience as a 3-4 outside linebacker and seemed to play better at it.
Very interested to see how the linebacker tandem works out. It’s almost a lock to assume this team will draft at least one linebacker. They could have a decent selection at No. 11. Some potential prospects: Khalil Mack, Anthony Barr, C.J. Mosley.
CHANCES
Outside Linebacker: Very High
Inside Linebacker: High