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Ranking Tennessee Titans rookie snap counts

By Will Lomas

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 02: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels scores a touchdown during the second half of a game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 02: A.J. Brown #1 of the Mississippi Rebels scores a touchdown during the second half of a game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

4. David Long LB, West Virginia

Snaps: 280 (80 defense, 200 special teams)

I had done absolutely zero tape study on David Long when the Tennessee Titans made him their final pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

So when I watched him I got to look at him with the specific question of “What will he be for the Titans?” in my mind. I am not going to tell you that he will be a star, but the Titans have started linebackers with less ability than Long before which makes him an interesting backup.

Where he fits:

The Titans have their starting linebackers in Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown who are both effective on passing downs as well as rushing downs. There is no reason to mess with that formula.

Behind them, Tennessee has Wesley Woodyard the annual special teams captain and locker room leader. When healthy he is a very good linebacker and if the team comes out in some three LB sets then Woodyard should get all of those snaps.

On defense, I think there is only one sub package that the Titans should use Long in. Ideally, he comes in on 3rd downs when Dean Pees moves Rashaan Evans to EDGE which will happen a lot more this year.

This leaves open a spot at linebacker next to Jayon Brown. Woodyard has the experience but I don’t think he should be asked to cover linebackers or running backs down the field if he can help it. That job should go to Amani Hooker or David Long depending on the team.

Special teams wise, Hall of Fame fan favorite Will Compton is gone and the Titans need to replace his 200 snaps. Plugging in a linebacker for a linebacker makes a lot of sense and Long has the personality to be a GREAT special teams guy.

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