The Tennessee Titans should not draft Harold Landry
Harold Landry has consistently been mocked to the Tennessee Titans. Don’t bank on that. I’ll tell you why the Titans shouldn’t draft Landry.
Are you an avid draft fan? Have you been reading mock drafts since back in November? I have. In most of these mock drafts, there is one common theme for the Tennessee Titans, and that is drafting Harold Landry at 25 overall.
On the surface, it doesn’t look like too bad of a pick. He fits a need, he’s been a multiple-year starter, he’s fast off the edge, and has good technique with his hands.
Why the Titans should draft Landry.
Heading into the 2017 college football season Landry, along with Arden Key was considered to be the best overall Edge rushers in the class. Key was projected to be a top 3 selection in the 2018 NFL draft and Landry was projected to be a top 10 selection back then by WalterFootball.
Landry exploded onto the scene in 2016 when he accumulated an astonishing 16.5 sacks. However, he’s also had trouble staying healthy. He’s dealt with injuries in both 2015 and 2017 where he accumulated a combined 8.5 sacks for those seasons.
Why the Titans shouldn’t draft Landry.
So, let’s get this straight. I’m telling you that the Titans should not draft a 6’3 250lb pass rusher who is quick off the line, with good technique, who was considered a top 10 talent at one time and had 16.5 sacks in one season at 25 overall. The only reason I’ve given you is that he’s injury prone, but wait, there’s more.
Landry is a great college pass rusher, but I’m afraid his game will not translate over to the NFL. At least not without a big learning curve. Although Landry is 250lbs, he has a very thin frame. Tackles in the NFL will have enough athleticism and experience to negate Landry’s quickness and hand technique. It’s also likely Landry will need to pack on another 20lbs or so to complete when it comes to the power aspect of the game.
Because of his size, the only role Landry currently fits in the NFL is a standing up outside rusher in the 3-4 defense. While that is the scheme the Titans mostly run, do you really want to spend a first-round pick on a guy who can do one thing and one thing only?
On top of all this Landry is not a 3 down player. When it comes to the run game Landry is pretty much useless, and he’s also unproven in coverage.
Conclusion
So, overall Landry doesn’t fit the “Front Multiplicity” talked about by head coach Mike Vrabel, and he’s going to have a big adjustment period for the NFL.
The Titans will have other options at 25 overall. One of the top three defensive tackles could fall to them in Da’Ron Payne, Vita Vea, or Taven Bryan. At linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, Malik Jefferson, or Rashaad Evens could be available. If the Titans still elect to go with an edge rusher, previously mentioned Arden Key could fall, Sam Hubbard and Uchenna Nwosu are also likely to be available.
You can watch actual scouting videos of these guys and more on Draft Breakdown on YouTube.