What would a Pro Bowl nod mean for this Tennessee Titans 2nd year player?
The Tennessee Titans have had plenty of hits in the NFL Draft since Jon Robinson took over as GM, but one pick looked like a steal as soon as it happened.
Kevin Byard has turned out to be an absolute star, Derrick Henry seems poised for a big step forward, Rashaan Evans is going to be the versatile piece that Mike Vrabel craves on a defense, and Jayon Brown should be a Pro Bowl player from here on out if the Titans would stop taking him off the field.
However, the pick I am talking about is Harold Landry, the former Boston College EDGE who the Titans took in the 2nd round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
Marc Sessler of NFL Network seems to agree, giving him the nod as the next Tennessee Titans player to make their first pro bowl.
"“Landry’s part-time role is set to grow with Brian Orakpo (who retired) and Derrick Morgan (who’s still a free agent) out the door. A second-round pick in 2018, the rookie showed pass-rushing promise down the stretch and triggered a game-turning forced fumble of Carson Wentz in a Week 4 comeback win over the Eagles. Landry should benefit from one-on-one matchups, with Cameron Wake added to the mix. “I think he will break out. … First-step quickness, outstanding closing burst and had a knack for getting it done,” NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks said on the “Move The Sticks” podcast in May. “We saw flashes of it during his rookie season with the Titans. I believe we get a bigger dose [in 2019].””"
That is really solid analysis because when you adjust Harold Landry’s season, you see just how impressive he was on a per snap basis.
Kevin Byard topped the Titans list of defenders in snaps played with over 1,000 so to be conservative I will use Adoree Jackson’s snaps (959).If you go back and project Landry’s 2018 season over that kind of volume, you would have a rookie EDGE with 72 tackles, 9 TFLs, 8 sacks, and 23 QB hits.
Those are great numbers for a rookie, but would that have stacked up well enough for him to compete with the Pro Bowlers from last year?
Taking a look at the AFC’s Pro Bowl EDGEs last year, those six players averaged, 9 sacks which is probably the definitive stat when guessing Pro Bowl roster spots. So from a production stand point he only needs a few more plays to go his way.
Harold Landry already has the habit of making big plays in big games which is key when trying to earn a Pro Bowl nod.
His monster strip sack on Carson Wentz stands out in the mind of a lot of people, but he also had a great sack against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football and beat the outstanding pass protection of the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football to get to Andrew Luck.
More from Titan Sized
- Tennessee Titans suspiciously quiet about major draft need
- Tennessee Titans agree to new deal with star Jeffery Simmons
- Caesars Promo Code Expires Soon – Claim $1,250 Today
- 3 needs that are being overblown by Tennessee Titans fans
- Tennessee Titans have potential dilemmas in 2023 NFL Draft
In year two under Dean Pees and Mike Vrabel, Harold Landry has a chance to take a step forward and improve his game. That, in addition to a healthier off season and some scheduling help could make for the perfect storm.
Last year the Pro Bowl voting took place on a four game stretch from Weeks 11-14. If the Pro Bowl voting can wait just a week this year the voting would happen during this stretch of games which occurs just after the bye week:
–Week 12 vs Jacksonville Jaguars (who are scheduled to either start a rookie with health concerns or Cam Robinson just a year removed from an ACL injury)
–Week 13 @ Indianapolis Colts (he sacked Andrew Luck last season)
-Week 14 @ Oakland Raiders (should see Kolton Miller who was the worst pass blocking tackle in the NFL allowing 16 QB sacks)
-Week 15 vs Houston Texans (worst offensive line in the NFL with a QB who runs into sacks)
This should also happen right about the time that the Titans 1st round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, DT Jeffery Simmons is getting healthy and back on the field.
While names like Jayon Brown, Corey Davis, Adoree Jackson, and Rashaan Evans all have good claims to this honor I think I agree that the former Boston College standout could be the Titans player with the best chance to make his first Pro Bowl next year.
If the Titans do get this from Landry it would be an amazing start for the 2nd round pick and it would give the defense something they desperately needed more of last year, consistent pressure from the edge.