Music City Look: Rookie Impact on the Defense
Having used six of ten draft picks on the defensive side of the ball, the Tennessee Titans look to add depth and talent to a top 15 defense from just a season ago. The Titans ended last season as a top 10 passing defense, but only in the top 20 in rushing defense. Here is a look at the rookie impact on the defense.
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Picks like Penn State’s Austin Johnson and Clemson’s Kevin Dodd can play both the run and the pass nicely. Dodd has the proven ability to play 3-4 defensive end or outside linebacker, utilizing his exceptional athleticism. Johnson is a space-eater at 6’4, 313 pounds. He will fit swimmingly alongside Jurrell Casey. Casey, the 2013 second team All-Pro, needed help up front and Johnson can become the Robin to his Batman.
Third round selection, safety Kevin Byard, is a productive defensive back out of Middle Tennessee State, picking off 19 passes in his college career. Byard got some whispers before the draft as a potential steal because of his production and lower level program status. Only a few miles from the Titans’ facilities, Jon Robinson and brass did their research on this Middle Tennessee State product and figured he was worth a third round selection. Because of the Titans’ lack of depth in the defensive backfield, Byard should have an impactful role from day one. Guys like Jason McCourty will put Byard under his wing and show him how to be a pro.
LaShaun Sims is a bit of an unknown from Southern Utah, because most of the S. Utah attention went to safety Mills Killebrew. Sims stands a 6’0, 200 pounds. He plays well in bump-and-run so you know he is an athletic and fluid defender. It will be interesting to see how he is going to be used, I assume mostly special teams for this season.
Aaron Wallace of UCLA is a bit of a work in progress. He was largely overshadowed by outstanding UCLA linebackers in Anthony Barr and Myles Jack. Wallace’s father was a second round pick of the Oakland Raiders, so the pedigree will play to his benefit. Assuming his athleticism and natural ability led him this far, he will have to spend most of his time studying the playbook and becoming a more cerebral player.
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Finally, Mr. Irrelevant is not as irrelevant as you might think. Southern Miss’ Kalan Reed was an efficient defender recording either an interception or pass breakup on nearly a quarter of his targets. With fairly good size, Reed is a blazer having ran a 4.38 40 yard dash at his pro day. These tools have escalated numerous amounts of players into NFL success, we will have to see how Reed makes his impact.
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