Titans to draft LB in the first round?
Landry, Davenport among several options at linebacker
Draft experts are nearly unanimous: the Titans are taking a linebacker with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft on Thursday night.
But will it be an edge rusher or inside linebacker? Both rate among the team’s biggest positions of need.
Outside linebacker could be a priority because starters Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan will be 32 and 29, respectively, at the start of the season, are heading into the final year of their contracts, and 2016 second-round pick Kevin Dodd has yet to pan out. A rookie edge rusher could spend the season learning the ropes while in a rotation with one of the veterans before taking over as a starter in 2019.
An inside linebacker might fill the more immediate void, after the team lost Avery Williamson to the Jets in free agency. The starter penciled in beside Wesley Woodyard, who turns 32 in July, is either 2017 fifth-round pick Jayon Brown or recent signing Will Compton, formerly of the Redskins. 1 (25), 2 (57), 3 (89), 4 (125), 5 (162), 6 (199)
Here are five players often projected to the Titans. All measurements are from the combine:
Marcus Davenport, DE/OLB, Texas-San Antonio
Height: 6-6 | Weight: 264 | Arms: 33 5/8 | Hands: 9 1/8 | 40 time: 4.58 | Bench: 22 | Vertical: 33.5 | Broad: 124.0 | 3-cone: 7.2 | 20 shuttle: 4.41 | 60 shuttle: DNP
The four-year starter came on strong last season, when he was named Conference USA defensive player of the year after recording 17 ⁄ tackles for loss, 8 sacks, four pass breakups, three forced fumbles, a recovery and a touchdown. Davenport gained 30 pounds since his sophomore season, has the frame to get bigger and could play either 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 defensive end.
NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock called Davenport a "freak show" during the Senior Bowl, when he sacked Baker Mayfield, scored on a fumble return and applied pressure that led to an interception. He may be long gone by the time the Titans are on the clock.
Rashaan Evans, ILB, Alabama
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 232 | Arms: 32 1/4 | Hands: 10 | 40 time: DNP | Bench: DNP | Vertical: 30.0 | Broad: 116.0 | 3-cone: 6.95 | 20 shuttle: 4.36 | 60 shuttle: DNP
The second-team All-SEC pick led the Crimson Tide last season with 74 tackles and 13 tackles for loss in 12 games, despite playing through a groin injury. He recorded six sacks and three pass breakups.
Evans has played in three consecutive national championship games, but was a full-time starter for just one season, when he was named a team captain. He demonstrates great speed and range, is an excellent tackler and effective on the blitz.
Sam Hubbard, DE/OLB, Ohio State
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 270 | Arms: 33 1/8 | Hands: 10 | 40 time: DNP | Bench: DNP | Vertical: 35.0 | Broad: 116.0 | 3-cone: 6.84 | 20 shuttle: 4.32 | 60 shuttle: 11.61
Hubbard has excellent size and strength, is a relentless pass rusher and was named an academic All-American and team captain at Ohio State. The Titans could convert him to a 3-4 outside linebacker and allow him to play with a hand in the dirt when they switch to a 4-3 front.
Hubbard had the top three-cone drill among edge rushers at the combine. He also shares an alma mater with Titans coach Mike Vrabel, a former All-Pro linebacker.
Harold Landry, DE/OLB, Boston College
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 252 | Arms: 32 7/8 | Hands: 9 3/8 | 40 time: 4.64 | Bench: 24 | Vertical: 36.0 | Broad: 119.0 | 3-cone: 6.88 | 20 shuttle: 4.19 | 60 shuttle: 11.35
Landry may have been selected near the top of the first round had he declared for the draft a year earlier, after racking up 22 tackles for loss, 16 ⁄ sacks and seven forced fumbles in 2016.
But his production suffered after returning to BC for his senior season, when he was limited to just nine games because of an ankle injury. He managed 8 ⁄ tackles for loss, five sacks and two pass breakups. Landry is a bit undersized, but has tremendous burst and agility.
Leighton Vander Esch, ILB, Boise State
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 256 | Arms: 33 7/8 | Hands 9 3/4 | 40 time: 4.65 | Bench: 22 | Vertical: 39.5 | Broad: 124.0 | 3-cone: 6.88 | 20 shuttle: 4.15 | 60 shuttle: 11.57
The Mountain West defensive player of the year and team captain has great length and range, is instinctive and effective against the run and pass, and put up gaudy statistics last season, his first year as a starter. He recorded 141 tackles — the fifth-most in FBS — 8⁄ tackles for loss, four sacks, five pass breakups, four forced fumbles and two interceptions.
But some teams reportedly dropped him off their draft board because of concerns about a cervical issue that caused headaches and forced him to miss seven games in 2016. Vander Esch, who didn’t miss a game last season, told The Ringer the issue was resolved after a trip to a chiropractor, and said he continues to wear a neck brace for comfort rather than need.
Reach Jason Wolf at jwolf@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter at @JasonWolf and on Instagram and Snapchat at TitansBeat.