With the 39th overall pick, the Titans have selected LB Akeem Ayers, who is generally regarded as the second best linebacker in the draft.
As I wrote this morning, I’m surprised the 6’3″ 254-pound Ayers wasn’t taken in the first round. Ayers is an extremely versatile player, who can play either outside or inside in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme. His strength is as a pass rusher, which led many to believe he’d be selected to be an OLB with a 3-4 team.
The Titans could use him either at Sam or Mike. He should be an upgrade over Gerald McRath and would be a potential replacement for Stephen Tulloch if he leaves in free agency. Ayers is a guy who can do it all. One thing I like about him is he has graded well in pass defense, an area the Titans linebackers struggled with last season. Ayers adds both size and speed to Tennessee’s linebacking corps.
Here’s the scouting report on Ayers from Optimum Scouting.
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