ESPN's Mel Kiper Gives Titans "Top 3-4 OLB" in NFL Draft

Mar 28, 2018 at 03:35 AM

Jim Wyatt

Senior Writer/Editor

ORLANDO –** Mel Kiper Jr. has pulled a switcheroo.

The ESPN draft analyst is back on a pass rusher for the Titans -- Boston College linebacker/defensive end Harold Landry.

In his prior mock draft, Kiper had the Titans selecting USC running back Ronald Jones II.

Some things have changed since then, of course. The Titans signed former Patriots running back Dion Lewis in free agency, pairing him with Derrick Henry. That development - coupled with Kiper's thinking that the Titans need more help from a pass rush standpoint - resulted in Kiper going back to his initial pick for the Titans in Landry.

Kiper's Mock Draft 3.0 was released on Wednesday morning. He also had Landry to the Titans in 1.0 before making the switch to Jones late last month.

The Titans currently have the No.25 pick in the NFL Draft.

"Landry is the top 3-4 outside linebacker in this class, an elite edge rusher when he's at his best," Kiper wrote on espn.com. "That wasn't in 2017, as he missed five games with an ankle injury. He dominated in 2016, though, with 16.5 sacks and looked like a potential top-five pick.

"The team that selects Landry will hope he can replicate his 2016 form. Tennessee needs to get younger at outside linebacker, and starters Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan will be free agents next March."

In his Mock Draft 2.0, Kiper based his selection on the team's landscape at running back at the time, when he made the assumption veteran running back DeMarco Murray would be released.

Kiper was right there – the Titans released Murray earlier this month. But then Lewis was added.

Here at the NFL owners meetings, Titans officials said they're happy with their running backs.

"I think they complement each other well," Titans general manager Jon Robinson said of Henry, and Lewis. "I think they are both fast players. I think they both have good quickness. I think stylistically they are different runners. Derrick can get it downhill, press the hole, hit the hole, and really turn it over and outrun people. He can stick it up there and run over people.

"Dion can make people miss. He can kind of get lost in the wash up in there and squirt out, and be good out of the backfield. … How the pace of the game is going, how the style of the game, how the defense is playing us (will determine when which player is on the field).

"We think we have two really different backs, but two really good backs – two starting level backs."

The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 26-28 in Arlington, Texas.

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Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, presents Alabama's Rashaan Evans with his Tennessee Titans jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans is introduced by Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson, left, head coach Mike Vrabel, right, at a news conference Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, center, speaks at a news conference as general manager Jon Robinson, left, and head coach Mike Vrabel listen Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, left, laughs with Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel at a news conference Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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FILE - In this Friday, April 27, 2018 file photo, Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans speaks at a news conference in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Tennessee Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. The Titans have agreed to terms on a deal with their first-round draft pick LB Rashaan Evans, Tuesday, May 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Wade Payne, File)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, right, speaks at a news conference as Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson listens Friday, April 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Evans is the Titans' top pick in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Wade Payne

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans poses with his jersey on stage after being selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Alabama's Rashaan Evans poses with his Tennessee Titans jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans on stage after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts via AP)

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans on stage after he is selected by the Tennessee Titans during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts via AP)

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Commissioner Roger Goodell, left, greets Alabama's Rashaan Evans after he was selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans walks on stage after being selected by the Tennessee Titans during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans in the green room during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans in the green room during the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)

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Commissioner Roger Goodell presents Alabama's Rashaan Evans with his Tennessee Titans team jersey during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

David J. Phillip

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