NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – The Tennessee Titans are sticking to their gameplan in the NFL draft.
New defensive coordinator Jerry Gray wanted players who are not only big and quick, but versatile. He got two of them Friday as the Titans took UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers in the second round and Southern Cal defensive tackle Jurrell Casey in the third.
“You kind of look for guys who can do more than one thing in the NFL right now and I think that’s what we’ve accomplished today,” Gray said.
The Titans felt like they got a steal in both players, who they expected to be gone by the time they picked 39th and 77th. Both were a perfect match for team needs and when combined with quarterback Jake Locker, the No. 8 pick overall, the Titans have already ticked off the three biggest wants on their wish list.
Ayers, a 6-foot-4, 255-pounder, played both linebacker and defensive end for the Bruins. Casey, a 6-foot, 300-pounder, can line up over a guard or play noseguard, meaning he could be a three-down lineman for the Titans.
Gray envisions chaos on third down with Casey lined up over the center challenging the interior of the offensive line and Ayers lurking on the edge as either a defensive end or a roving linebacker.
“So now I think that creates a little confusion on the offensive line that you’ve got to find out who that fourth rusher is,” Gray said of Ayers’ versatility. “And to me that’s only going to help us.”
Along with his ability to play different positions, Ayers also will bring an attitude. He was upset after traveling to New York to attend the draft during the first round Thursday only to be passed over. He found out the Titans had taken him just after touching down back home in Los Angeles.
“All the teams that passed on me, I’m going to make them wish that they didn’t,” Ayers told reporters in Nashville by conference call.
The Titans were surprised he didn’t go at the end of the first round, too. A Butkus Award finalist last season, he showed his multiposition potential at UCLA where he finished his three-year playing career with six interceptions, 29.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks.
He should see playing time immediately and has a shot at a starting role depending on how the roster shakes out after the NFL’s labor situation is settled. Starting middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch could become a free agent under a new collective bargaining agreement. Ayers’ strongside linebacker experience gives the Titans the ability to move Will Witherspoon to middle linebacker if Tulloch leaves.
Ayers was confidant he was the right choice no matter what he’s asked to do.
“I never once questioned my ability as a player and once I get down to Tennessee and put in the hard work and really just dedicate myself to football, now that I don’t have school and all those things, I can really dedicate my time and become a much better player than I was at UCLA,” he said.
Casey said he injured his hamstring during the offseason and wasn’t able to work out for teams. But he said he’s healthy now and ready to get started.
He gives the Titans the big, athletic body they’ve been missing since Albert Haynesworth left in free agency. He also gives Tennessee flexibility with its remaining six picks, beginning with the 109th and 130th picks in the fourth round.
“I think we got bigger and we hit some areas of need,” general manager Mike Reinfeldt said. “I think going forward it gives us a chance to kind of look at the board and take the best players. There’s a couple of (offensive) linemen we like, a couple of tight ends, some more defensive linemen that are kind of interesting, some linebackers, a safety. There’s some good players.”
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