ESPN’s Todd McShay released an early 2021 NFL mock draft on Wednesday, and in it he has the Tennessee Titans taking a defensive lineman in the first round.
McShay has the Titans picking at No. 19 overall and has pegged LSU defensive tackle Tyler Shelvin as the selection.
Addressing either pass-rusher (Vic Beasley Jr. is on a one-year contract) or wide receiver (while A.J. Brown is the real deal, there isn’t much behind him) here would have been a reach. If Clemson receiver Justyn Ross’ health were a little more clear, he would have been in the mix. Instead, the Titans can take one of the best available players. Shelvin isn’t much of a pass-rusher — though he is better than his zero sacks suggest — but he is very stout against the run. And with DaQuan Jones signed only through 2020, Tennessee could use another run-stopper up the middle to hold it down with 2019 first-rounder Jeffery Simmons.
Defensive line is certainly one of the areas the Titans could address in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Recently, the Titans added a big man upfront in the 2020 NFL Draft in fifth-round pick, Larrell Murchison.
Not only is Tennessee without Jurrell Casey, who was traded to the Denver Broncos earlier this offseason, but nose tackle DaQuan Jones will be a free agent next year and could be in his final season in Nashville.
As it stands now, the Titans have a question mark for 2020, as the team has to figure out who will garner the snaps alongside Jones and 2019 first-round pick, Jeffery Simmons.
Shelvin posted 39 tackles (three for loss) and two passes defended for the Tigers last season. Here’s a bit more information on him, courtesy of Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
It was impossible not to notice Shelvin when studying LSU’s defense last season. He needs to show more impact as a pass rusher this season, but with his size and power, he dominates the point of attack and shuts down the run.
As McShay points out, the Titans could also go with a wide receiver or EDGE depending on who’s available when they’re on the clock. Cornerback is another position the Titans could be interested in early on.
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