Boston College EDGE Harold Landry has been frequently mocked to the Tennessee Titans, and it makes a lot of sense.
Now that the 2017 NFL Season is officially over, #DraftSZN is in full force. Mock drafts will be flying in from every which way, from high profile national media to any writer with YouTube access who can write up a mock of 32 picks.
Like any football fan demographic, Tennessee Titans fans love the draft. The draft has become a lot more exciting over the past two years, as GM Jon Robinson has been prone to wheel-and-deal. Robinson has also made some outstanding draft picks to this point in his young managerial career.
After two successful draft classes, Robinson’s third has the potential to take the Titans from playoff team to Super Bowl contender. One of the Titans’ biggest needs going into the 2018 offseason appears to be pass rusher.
That’s why it’s no surprise that Boston College pass rusher Harold Landry, who had an outstanding Junior season in 2016, has been frequently chosen for the Titans at pick #25 in recent iterations of mock drafts.
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
Here’s what Miller has to say about Landry.
"Mike Vrabel is the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, and the first order of business for he and general manager Jon Robinson should be to fix the pass rush. A quick way to do that is using pick No. 25 on Harold Landry.Landry entered the season as my top-ranked senior prospect but fell down the board after a midseason injury and a quiet close to the year. When healthy, he’s the perfect build (6’3″, 250 lbs) to play the stand-up outside linebacker role in a base 3-4 or bump down to defensive end in a four-man front in nickel and dime situations."
Dan Kadar, SB Nation’s Mocking the Draft
Here’s what Kadar has to say about Landry and his fit with the Titans.
"Landry would get top-15 consideration had he not been slowed down last season due to an ankle injury. He fits nicely on Dean Pees’ defense as an outside edge rusher."
Other analysts mocking Landry to the Titans: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN and Joe Tansey, Bleacher Report
Landry racked up a ridiculous 16.5 sacks in 2016 after getting just 3.5 during his sophomore year. Landry’s final collegiate season was marred by injuries, but he showed a lot of the traits that were apparent in his breakout season. Despite being limited to just eight games and dealing with an ankle injury for a variety of games, Landry accumulated 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.
The potential is clearly there, and Landry has the size, speed and athletic profile to turn into a very good pass rusher at the next level. HC Mike Vrabel has preached “front multiplicity” as a staple for the Titans defense, and Landry’s ability to rush the passer and leak out into coverage will likely entice the former linebackers coach.