Very rarely do teams have the opportunity for a re-do, but in the 2018 NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans would have gone in a different direction if they had a crystal ball.
Mike Vrabel’s ballclub selected linebacker Rashaan Evans with the No. 22 overall pick before finding a gem in the second round in outside linebacker Harold Landry.
The Titans declined Evans’ fifth-year option and the Alabama product walked in free agency, eventually signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons and thus ending what was a disappointing tenure.
According to Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, the Titans should have selected edge rusher Marcus Davenport instead.
For the first three years of his career, that looked to have been an unwise decision—Davenport tallied just 12 sacks over his first three seasons combined. But despite missing six games last year, Davenport turned in his best season as a pro, setting career highs in tackles (39) and sacks (nine).
With the selection of Davenport at the end of the first round, Tennessee likely would have addressed other needs instead of taking Landry in the second round.
Speaking of Landry, he went to the Green Bay Packers with the No. 14 overall pick in this re-draft.
Interestingly, Davenport has had a similar track record as Landry through his first four seasons. After a sophomore campaign that saw him achieve several career-highs, the former UTSA star regressed considerably in Year 3 before exploding for nine sacks in 2021.
Landry, who collected a then-career-best nine sacks in 2019, tallied just 5.5 sacks in 2020 before racking up 12 sacks this past season.
Davenport is entering the final year of his contract in 2022, while the Titans have already committed five years and $87.5 million to Landry in a second contract.