Get ready to see edge rushers pegged to the Tennessee Titans in mock drafts in the months leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, as addressing the position will be one of the team’s biggest priorities this coming offseason.
That’s because the Titans finished with the third-fewest sacks this season with 19, which is also tied for the fewest recorded by a playoff team in a 16-game season in NFL history (1979 Denver Broncos).
In his latest 2021 mock draft, ESPN’s Todd McShay has the Titans taking outside linebacker Joseph Ossai out of Texas with pick No. 24 in the first round. Here’s what McShay had to say about the pick:
“It took a four-sack performance in Week 17 against a woeful Houston offensive line for the Titans to not finish last in the NFL in sacks this season. And they still finished third to last with 19. Harold Landry III was the only player to have more than three sacks (5.5). The pass rush is the biggest flaw in their playoff roster, so this pick comes down to guys like Ossai, Kwity Paye (Michigan), Joe Tryon (Washington) and Jaelan Phillips (University of Miami). With a 3-4 defense, I like Ossai’s fit in Tennessee. He had five sacks and 16 tackles for loss this season, showcasing high-end instincts and speed.”
In 22 games over the last two years, the 6-foot-3, 245-pound rusher totaled 145 tackles (86 solo, 29 for loss) and 10.5 sacks, 5.5 of which came in 2020. He decided to forego his senior season and declare for the 2021 draft back in December.
For a detailed profile of Ossai, check out this one by Panthers Wire.
As we’ve said before, the Titans should add an EDGE in the draft, but with this team in a win-now position for the foreseeable future, signing at least one more immediate impact edge rusher in free agency is even more important.
