The Tennessee Titans have entered a pivotal offseason marked by significant changes and critical decisions, particularly following the recent release of linebacker Harold Landry III. Sheldon Landry was one of just four Titans defenders in the past decade to record double-digit sacks in a season. His departure leaves a huge void in the team’s pass-rushing arsenal. The Titans are already preparing for next year’s draft. They’ll still have to creatively reforge their roster, replace what Landry left behind and otherwise increase their collective effectiveness.
Landry’s release has opened the Titans up to be without a single player on their roster who has posted a double-digit sack season. The shift only makes the already glaring need for a true, game-breaking edge rusher that much more critical. That said, the Titans clearly understand they need to find a real dynamic, game changing pass rusher. History backs up their urgency—nine edge rushers picked in the top two rounds since 2010 have gone on to 10-sack seasons.
Like their recent drafts, it has been a disaster for Tennessee on the field with their first-round picks. The last time the Titans took an outside linebacker or defensive end in the first two rounds prior to taking Landry was 2010. He was a relatively high pick, going 41st overall in 2018. Since then, the team has made a concerted effort to shore up their pass-rushing core. They invested a fifth-rounder in D’Andre Walker in 2019 and a fourth-rounder in Rashad Weaver in 2021—neither player is on the 53 today.
The Titans have six picks after the first three rounds to work with as of now. As history has taught us, those selections are often strikingly unsuccessful. As they try to figure out their draft strategy going forward, this puts enormous pressure on the franchise.
Tennessee is at real risk this year. They don’t even have a third-round pick after trading that round’s pick to get defensive back L’Jarius Sneed from the Kansas City Chiefs. Such a loss constricts the Birds’ potential paths to go land talent who can help fulfill their defensive first and positionless offense goals.
The Titans have been up front about their intent to gather playmakers on the offensive side of the ball to complement difference-making pass rushers on the defensive side. Besides drafting Treylon Burks, they haven’t selected a receiver on Day 1 or Day 2 in… That narrow gap only heightens the importance of their offensive overall strategy. In 2019, Tennessee used their No. 19 overall pick on Jeffery Simmons, who primarily plays on the interior line, while a No. 33 pick in 2020 was utilized to enhance their offensive capabilities.
Brian Callahan, a key member of the Titans’ front office, underscored the tactical benefits of acquiring high draft picks. He commented, “Not only do you get the first pick, you get the first pick in the rounds after that as well.” This feeling creates plenty of paradoxical logic regarding their status in the impending draft.
Furthermore, Callahan noted, “There is the benefit that it opens up some opportunities for you to try to improve your football team.” Continuing to build off this perspective would be the Titans duty by using their current draft position to fill out their biggest needs first.
As they launch into this momentous time, the Titans will have many important paths to consider. The coalition group has some major flaws to address on their pass-rushing front seven, along with an acute need for offensive playmakers. Every choice announced in this initial round will significantly affect their prospects for triumph later this fall.
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