NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Before this pick, the Titans' outside linebacker depth consisted of David Bass, Deiontrez Mount, J.R. Tavai and Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil. While Bass can play well in spots, none of those guys is sufficient as part of a pass-rushing trio. Dodd certainly should be.
My take: The Titans rushed well early in the season, with 15 sacks in their first five games. But as Derrick Morgan dealt with a shoulder injury that knocked him out for the final half of the season, things dropped off terribly. The Titans had just eight sacks in their final six games. Depth was a serious issue, and while Bass made some plays in spot duty, once he was the second starter things were not the same. Dodd should help cure the problem, as he’s coming off a 12-sack season for Clemson.
One-sided? Pro Football Focus points out that Dodd played exclusively on the defensive left, facing right defensive tackles as part of a stacked Tigers line. Morgan plays on the left for the Titans. “I feel like I can play both, I have played both,” Dodd said. “[Bills first-rounder] Shaq Lawson felt comfortable at right, I felt comfortable at left so that’s the way we played.”
Patience: Dodd said he knew the Titans liked him and that they need depth at outside linebacker. He had a big final year at Clemson with 12 sacks, but played as a reserve in two seasons before that. He worked on his craft while waiting on his opportunity and said his best is yet to come and he will simply look to be part of the chain gang. He was in Chicago for the first round, expecting to be drafted, but went home to Taylors, S.C., and worked out on Friday.
What’s next: The Titans have two more second-rounders coming up at No. 43 and No. 45, as well as No. 64 in the third round.
