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2019 NFL Draft Tennessee Titans instant grade: D’Andre Walker

By Will Lomas

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: D'Andre Walker #15 of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the third quarter during the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: D'Andre Walker #15 of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the third quarter during the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Titans land a high caliber EDGE on Day 3.

Maybe Tennessee Titans GM Jon Robinson is just much smarter than me.

When the Titans drafted Jeffery Simmons I was frustrated. Why would you spend such a premium pick on a guy who probably won’t even help you this year? There are other needs at EDGE, RG and WR.

Well, fast forward to today and I feel foolish. Not only did the Tennessee Titans end up filling all of their big four needs, but they also grabbed a potential superstar along the way in Simmons.

The last need they addressed was EDGE, and with that being a premium position you would think that the Titans would have to force a pick right? Well, not exactly. They managed to land D’Andre Walker in the 5th round.

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What is he?

The Georgia EDGE is an interesting player. He was asked to line up all over the front seven including off the ball linebacker, stand up EDGE and with his hands in the dirt. He did well at all three, but really showed the most when he was used on stunts.

I don’t know why exactly offensive linemen can never really get their hands on him, but his blend of violence and burst through the gaps make it hard to stop him on X-stunts. If that sounds familiar to you, it should because those are the stunts that I complained about all year with the Titans.

My issue with the stunts wasn’t the concept, it was the players involved. Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo were not meant to run those stunts because it doesn’t fit their skill set. Likewise, Harold Landry is best in situations where he can bend around the outside or set people up outside to cut back in. Those designs take away his best asset which is his first step quickness.

However, this fits right into what Walker does best. He can convert speed to power and use his hands well, but he needs to be used in a lot of different ways to get OTs off balance.

What did the Titans pass on to get him?

No one with a better grade. He was the top player on the board when they picked and he fit a position of need.

Instant draft grade D’Andre Walker: “A+”

I mean, what else could it be. Most of the analysts gave Walker a Day 2 grade and some went as high as a second round grade. He has a really solid production profile and people really love his work ethic.

Getting a versatile EDGE who can help on special teams and who wants to be coached is a great pick in the 3rd round much less the 5th round. With all the Titans needs being filled after this pick, it retroactively makes the draft look even better.

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