Tennessee Titans: Most Popular Mock Draft Pick, Vol. 2
Ohio State LB/DL Sam Hubbard has been frequently mocked to the Tennessee Titans. Does he make sense for the Titans at #25?
Over a month ago, we checked in on mock drafts around the internet to find out which player was consistently being selected for the Tennessee Titans. At that time, Boston College EDGE Harold Landry was the most frequently mocked player for the Titans.
This time around, we have another EDGE type of player in Sam Hubbard, who comes with various connections to the Titans due to his Ohio State ties. It’s not surprise that Hubbard has taken the place of Landry as the national media’s shoo-in for the Titans, especially after the Combine performance from both players.
Peter Schrager, NFL.com/Fox Sports
Schrager is consistently one of the more plugged-in analysts/reporters when it comes to the draft. Here is what he has to say about Hubbard going to the Titans.
"Would 25th be too early for Hubbard, a guy I haven’t seen projected to go in Round 1 in many mock drafts? Not if you look at the Titans‘ needs and the pedigree of new head coach Mike Vrabel. An Ohio State linebacker could make a whole lot of sense."
Josh Norris, Rotoworld
Norris is arguably the most thorough and knowledgeable draft analyst out there, so his mock drafts always catch my eye. Here’s Norris on Hubbard as an option for the Titans.
"Is it too obvious to link Hubbard to a head coach with Ohio State ties? Maybe even one who recruited him in college? Hubbard fills a need, as the Titans have aging edge rushers."
Matt Miller, Bleacher Report
Miller considers Hubbard a value at pick #25 and considers him a great fit in Tennessee. Here is what he thinks of Hubbard as a player.
"Hubbard was a rock-solid right defensive end for Ohio State and tested well at the combine. Well enough, at 6’5 ⅜” and 270 pounds, to post the best three-cone time (6.84 seconds) of any edge-rusher. With his size, agility, strength and football IQ, it’s easy to see his being a building block for Vrabel in Tennessee."
Hubbard is a bit of a polarizing prospect. He wasn’t terribly productive in college despite having great athletic ability and an ideal athletic profile, but he did well at the combine and his stellar three-cone time is huge for a pass rusher. At 6-5 and 270 pounds, Hubbard isn’t exactly in the mold of an edge defender, and actually seems to translate better to a 4-3 defensive end like his former teammate Joey Bosa.
Depsite his surprising measurements and lackluster college production, Hubbard definitely makes sense for Mike Vrabel and the Titans. Regardless of the Ohio State connection, Vrabel is looking for front seven players that can play various positions and techniques. At his size and with his athletic ability, Hubbard should be able to perform well with his hand on the ground or standing up.