ESPN analyst picks favorite draft prospect for Titans
The Tennessee Titans have filled some holes on defense in free agency, and one analyst believes that are the best landing spot for a top draft prospect.
The NFL draft is right around the corner, and the excitement is building as fans look ahead to their favorite team's player haul. Unfortunately, there are times when the excitement about a certain prospect turns to disappointment when the team bypasses them for a better system fit. Good organizations do a masterful job of balancing talent and fit, something often overlooked by those who passively follow the draft and play the name-recognition game.
The key, though, is for teams to find the best combination of both traits and pull the trigger on the prospect. ESPN’s Matt Bowen took a look at some of the best draft prospects and found one he believes is a great fit for the Tennessee Titans . LB Sonny Styles to the Titans Height: 6-5 | Weight: 244 College: Ohio State Where Tennessee could get him: Pick No.
4 This would be a great first pick for new coach Robert Saleh, giving him a rare "stack" linebacker -- inside linebacker or 4-3 outside linebacker -- with high-level testing numbers. Styles' 43½-inch vertical jump at the combine was the highest by an off-ball linebacker since 2003 and the second highest by any linebacker in that span. Styles will show up in the box and on the edges of the formation as a run defender.
He can fire into blockers to hold the point or scrape through to track the ball with his 4. 46 speed. Plus, in Saleh's loaded fronts, Styles can be schemed as a blitzer or fall back late in coverage.