Two different mock drafts have Titans taking EDGE in 1st round
Two new mock drafts have the Tennessee Titans going with a position of need in the 2020 NFL Draft.
One of the biggest needs the Tennessee Titans will have going into the offseason will be adding another EDGE opposite of Harold Landry, who is having a breakout year with nine sacks through 15 games.
The problem for Landry is that the Titans don’t have someone defenses need to pay extra attention to on the other side, making it easier for them to focus on stopping him.
Cameron Wake was supposed to be that guy, but his season ended early because of a knee injury, and after notching 2.5 sacks in Week 1, he had none the rest of the way. Sharif Finch, who was supposed to be an up-and-coming EDGE for Tennessee, was waived by the team last week.
Kamalei Correa is serviceable but more of a backup player, and while UDFA Derick Roberson could be emerging as that guy after two sacks in Week 16 that certainly showed promise, that’s too small of a sample size to depend on.
In a pair of new mock drafts, both CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso and Pro Football Focus’ Michael Renner have Tennessee addressing that need, albeit with different players.
According to Trapasso, the Titans will select edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson out of LSU with the No. 22 pick.
"The Titans must add more edge-rushing talent to keep the defense moving forward after Cam Wake retires. Chaisson is a hybrid linebacker/edge rusher with bend, acceleration, and a non-stop motor."
After missing all but one game in 2018 with a torn ACL, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Chaisson totaled 4.5 sacks and 52 tackles (11.5 for loss) in 2019. In 22 total games with LSU, Chaisson finished with 7.5 sacks and 84 tackles (17 for loss).
Should Chaisson enter the 2020 fray, he’d be entering the draft having had a full year under his belt after recovering from the torn ACL. It typically takes players a full year to get back to where they were pre-injury.
According to Renner, the Titans will take Notre Dame EDGE Julian Okwara at No. 22.
"Okwara may very well take the NFL Scouting Combine crown come late February in Indianapolis. Okwara was inconsistent but still earned a 90.4 pass-rushing grade this season."
In four years (35 games) with the Fighting Irishman, the 6-foot-4, 248-pound EDGE totaled 15.5 sacks and 79 tackles (24 for loss). His best season came in 2018 when he sacked opposing quarterbacks eight times.
The two-year starter at Notre Dame’s 2019 campaign came to an end after nine games when he suffered a broken fibula.
While the debate will certainly go on and on about exactly which EDGE the Titans should take, there’s no question the position itself should be a top priority.
We like these mock draft much better than some others, including one that had Tennessee going with a wide receiver in the first round.