NFL Combine: Tennessee Titans looking for a pass rusher who can win the game

A year after having arguably the best class of rookies, the Tennessee Titans are only a few players away from playoff contention. To get to the next level, the team plans to target pass rushers in the draft and free agency after finishing 31st in the league in sacks.

Drafting 20th in the first round, general manger Ruston Webster stressed at the NFL Combine not reaching for a player. But he did say the defensive end crop was "very good."

"Defensive line in general is good," Webster said. "Typically those guys are going to go in the first round because everyone needs them. They're rare birds and really, probably outside of quarterback, the tougher position to build.

"What you have to do is look for players with traits. They may not be the 6'5, long, athletic-looking guy, but you've got the Trent Coles who don't necessarily look like a pass rushing defensive end but they have the explosiveness to affect the passer. You have to look for the right traits."

In Mike Munchak's defense, one of those traits tends to be versatility. Defensive tackles Jason Jones and Karl Klug both excel in one-on-one situations and could line up at end in certain situations. But Munchak pointed out the pass rusher they add will likely be predominantly an edge rusher.

"I think originally, depending on who is available, that we'd like to have a guy who can just play the edge and create problems. We want a guy the offense is worried about who, in the two-minute drive, this guy can take the game over. This guy can knock the ball out of the quarterback's hands and win it for you. He could be silent all game and change the game.

"Like when we brought in Jevon Kearse in, a guy you think can go win the game for you. Someone the fans think a guy who can win the game for you right now. We're all looking for those things, but we're hoping to find it."

For now, the Titans probably haven't focused in on that specific player, but the process is far from over for Webster and Munchak. What they take from the Combine will only be a part of their evaluation process.

"We'll leave here and we'll just go back and grind tape up until the draft," Webster said. "We'll take into consideration what happens here, but the most important thing is how they play."

Maybe some teams have size parameters and put those guys lower on their draft board. It's just when you take that guy who is undersize and how you play him.



More from Webster:
On drafting a receiver: I would say if we consider a receiver in the first round, it's because it's a special player and it doesn't have anything to do with Kenny Britt.

On Wisconsin center Peter Konz: He's impressive. As big and athletic as he is, and what they ask him to do, he's a very good player.

On Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler: Tough guy. Storng and tough. Physical, brings that demeanor to the field. Typical, good solid Wisconsin offensive lineman. Wisconsin, Iowa, you kind of look to them and know what you're getting.

On South Carolina defensive end/tackle/linebacker Melvin Ingram: (Where he plays) just depends on what defense you run. On a 3-4 team, he's going to be on his feet. 4-3 teams will have to figure out what to do with him. Whatever it is, he's a good player.