Tennessee Titans draft study: PFF ranks position groups that deserve 1st round picks

Linebacker

There is only one position on the Titans roster with more depth and high end talent than linebacker, and we haven’t gotten to it yet.

Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown are peanut butter and jelly. They are great compliments that exemplify what enforcers and dynamic players should look like respectively.

Behind them, Wesley Woodyard and Daren Bates are set to be free agents and there could be a lot of leadership and energy lost there. It makes sense for the Titans to bring in another player at some point if they let both walk in free agency.

Last but not least, David Long is a great example of what I am about to talk about. You can find a lot of talent at linebacker later in the draft, especially if you know what to look for.

Findings in my own words: Don’t spend a top-100 pick

According to PFF’s data, it seems like the biggest differentiating factor between a late round linebacker and an early round linebacker is their ability in coverage.

Even then, it feels like you are paying a premium for a very small difference.

Looking at it objectively and factoring in the high injury rate at linebacker and the hits of guys like Jayon Brown outside of the first round, it is very impressive that the Titans managed to find someone like Rashaan Evans who has had a clear impact on Tennessee’s defense.

Bigger names like Roquan Davis and Leighton Vander Esch have shined at times, but if you want a model of consistency and impact then you have to look at Evans as the exception that proves the rule. Lucky for the Titans…or a good job by the front office.