The ultimate guide to Jon Robinson’s draft history as GM
By Brady Akins
2018:
Best Pick: Harold Landry, OLB, Boston College (Round 2, Pick 41)
Worst Pick: Luke Falk, QB, Washington State (Round 6, Pick 199)
As far as “biggest draft misses” go, having your sixth-round quarterback not blossom into the quality backup you took him to be is about as good as it gets.
Sure, Luke Falk didn’t exactly win any fans over with his preseason performances in 2018. But the hit rate on quarterbacks is low anyway. And the hit rate on sixth-round quarterbacks essentially begins and ends with Matt Hasselbeck and some guy named Brady.
The Falk miss shouldn’t be looked at too strongly one way or another by anyone. What Robinson did with his other three picks, however, is something worth celebrating.
Getting only four selections in the 2018 Draft after a series of big trades, Robinson made the most out of his limited move set, drafting two defensive starters and one of the best special teams players in the NFL.
The first of those two defensive picks, Rashaan Evans, has found a home alongside Jayon Brown at inside linebacker. Tennessee took Evans with the 22nd overall pick in 2018, and he has looked the part so far in his young career.
Robinson followed up his the selection of his first-round gem with another in the second, the pass-rushing specialist Harold Landry.
The Titans traded up to get Landry 41st overall, and early returns look like Tennessee got a steal in the second round. After only three starts his rookie year, Landry has come into his own and has quickly turned into the Titans leader in sacks and tackles for loss.
Tennessee’s other pick, safety Dane Cruikshank, hasn’t made much noise on the defensive side of the ball at this point in his career. Playing on a roster loaded with talent at defensive back, Cruikshank has struggled to find a place on that side of the ball. But while he hasn’t sparked much on defense yet, he’s transformed into a special-teams star, blocking field goals, scoring touchdowns on fake punts, and just being one of Tennessee’s best gunners.
Other than Luke Falk, all of the Titans 2018 draft picks are still on the team. And they are all massive contributors.