2019 NFL Mock Draft: Dexter Lawrence continues to rise

The Titans certainly may end up with a better pick than this, but if they do play well enough to slide to No. 18, getting Josh Allen would provide them with terrific value. He’d give the Titans a versatile linebacker who can help their defense in multiple phases of the game.

The real attraction to Allen is that he’s an outside linebacker who is capable of rushing the passer. He’s got three sacks for the Wildcats on the young season and his tape shows you he’s capable of more. He’s a classic example of a player who can toggle back and forth between outside linebacker on run downs and defensive end on obvious passing situations.

Don’t think for a moment he is undersized. He checks in at a legitimate 6-foot-5, 240 pounds. He might need to put on a little more weight at the next level, but he’s got the frame to handle it. It’s not unreasonable to think he could get up to 260 after a year or two in the pros.

Undoubtedly, some Titans fans are reading this and wondering why we aren’t projecting an offensive player here. The simple truth is that Tennessee hasn’t shown their hand on who they trust and who they don’t on that side of the ball. Until the organization chooses a firm direction on guys like Marcus Mariota, taking the best available linebacker makes a lot of sense.