Linebackers the Titans Should Target After Day 1 of 2023 NFL Draft

Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon was a member of a San Francisco 49ers staff that has found multiple difference making linebackers in the mid-to-late rounds of the NFL draft. The Titans should be hoping Carthon can use that history to find a linebacker late in this year’s draft.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have added a handful of linebackers in free agency this offseason, so linebacker may not be the most obvious need. Unless you look at a linebacker group in the same way you do a basketball lineup. Yes, they are all linebackers, but having a varied skillset within the group gives you the ability to deploy different players for different situations. The Titans are missing one critical specialized skillset within their linebacker room and it is a coverage-first linebacker.

It feels important to say that this linebacker doesn’t have to be limited to that role forever. Maybe the player selected can start as a coverage specialist and then evolve with some experience into an every-down backer. That sort of growth plan would make even more sense if you were selecting a linebacker later in the draft who wasn’t expected to play significant snaps anyways.

There are a few of these players available for the Titans after the first couple of rounds this year that have the potential to help in coverage and grow to be more. Maybe if the Titans are lucky, they turn out to be more right away. Even with the additions at linebacker in free agency, the Titans have no long-term answers on the roster at the position. Taking a linebacker is definitely on the table for the Titans and these names fit perfectly.

Daiyan Henley, Washington State

Henley has great speed for a linebacker and uses it to chase down ball carriers from sideline to sideline. He is quick to make decisions and has shown the ability to make plays in coverage. The only issue is his experience in those coverage situations, but it appears the ability is there. Henley is likely the highest-drafted player on this list and with that he gives the Titans more immediate potential to do more, but he can at least come in and fly around the field on passing downs more than the current options.

Dorian Williams, Tulane

Again, another linebacker with great speed. Williams adds in great length and more experience with success in coverage. Williams isn’t the biggest linebacker, but he is a physical and reliable tackler. He needs to anticipate better to avoid getting caught up in traffic. Since he is slight, he can get obstructed easily at time. Williams would have the luxury of playing a specific role as a coverage backer early and have the time needed to study up and improve with his anticipation and play recognition.

Mohamoud Diabate, Utah

Diabate may not be the coverage player that Williams and Henley are, but he can be that soon with his impressive athletic ability. Diabate is long and explosive. He plays with great effort as well which will help on special teams early on in his career. He has some pass rush ability as well that could be cultivated. He has do-it-all potential, but needs to getting better with his reads and timing while also putting some extra mass on his frame. A small role early that allows him to grow into something more could be a perfect situation.

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