The Tennessee Titans made new head coach Mike Vrabel’s first draft pick an inside linebacker, selecting Alabama’s Rashaan Evans after trading up three spots with Baltimore to No. 22 overall Thursday night.
Vrabel, a former linebacker who played 14 NFL seasons, has been spending plenty of time with the Titans’ linebackers already at a voluntary minicamp. Evans can replace Avery Williamson, who left in free agency for the New York Jets after starting 59 of 63 games with Tennessee.
Alabama’s Rashaan Evans poses for photos on the red carpet during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, left, talks with general manager Jon Robinson during a voluntary practice at its NFL football training facility Wednesday, April 25, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)The Titans went into the draft slotted at No. 25, which would have been their latest first-round pick since 2009, when they selected wide receiver Kenny Britt at No. 30. They moved up even higher, swapping first-round slots with the Ravens along with their fourth-round pick at No. 125 for Baltimore’s selection at No. 215.
Tennessee is coming off consecutive 9-7 seasons and its first playoff appearance in 14 years. That wasn’t enough to keep Mike Mularkey on the jo b, and the Titans replaced him with Vrabel.
General manager Jon Robinson added linebacker Will Compton in free agency, but the Titans needed more help alongside veteran Wesley Woodyard in the linebacker corps.