For the second time in the span of a week-plus, the Tennessee Titans are being strongly linked to a linebacker coming out in the 2023 NFL draft.
According to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler, the Titans are showing “extensive interest” in Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller, who is expected to meet individually with Tennessee’s linebackers coach this week.
Fowler notes that the New York Jets are another team showing increased interest, and Miller has already met with the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders.
This report comes on the heels of Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson revealing that the Titans were one of two teams he spoke with the most during the Clemson pro day.
Florida LB Ventrell Miller has drawn extensive interest from the Jets & Titans during the predraft process. He’ll meet individually with each team’s LB coach this week, per source.
Physical second level defender has also met with Indianapolis, Green Bay, Denver, and Washington.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) March 22, 2023
Tennessee’s interest in linebackers isn’t much of a surprise.
With the recent addition of Azeez Al-Shaair in free agency, the Titans are set to have both he and Monty Rice as starters if nothing changes.
The problem there is that the jury is still out on both being long-term solutions, and especially Rice, who has just 10 starts under his belt over 23 games.
Ideally, Tennessee brings someone else in who can be an asset in coverage and has the potential to be an answer for the long haul. The team could use more depth options at the position overall, as well.
Here’s more on Miller, per Lance Zierlein of NFL.com:
Likely two-down linebacker with good physicality but a lack of standout athletic traits. Miller appears to lack top-end speed and will lose pursuit chases on outside runs when his instincts/recognition is a step slow. He has the play strength and demeanor for life inside the box but is on the lighter side for an inside linebacker. While he’s not a playmaker, he’s hardly timid about triggering downhill and taking chances when he’s quick to diagnose the action. He can drop into zones but could be a liability when matched up in space. Miller will be a 24-year-old rookie, but he has the mental makeup and special teams potential to find backup work early on.
By all accounts, Miller should be around on Day 3 and could go as late as the sixth round, according to The Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez, so the Titans should have ample opportunity to land him if they want.
