Tennessee Titans great Keith Bulluck gives insights on Rashaan Evan
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have a habit of declining fifth-year options of their first round picks under GM Jon Robinson. Former Tennessee linebacking great Keith Bulluck shared some insights on the latest example, Rashaan Evans. The Titans traded up to select Evans with the 22nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. While Tennessee did […]
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans have a habit of declining fifth-year options of their first round picks under GM Jon Robinson. Former Tennessee linebacking great Keith Bulluck shared some insights on the latest example, Rashaan Evans.
The Titans traded up to select Evans with the 22nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
While Tennessee did win the AFC South last season for their first time since 2008, their defense held them back immensely. Evans, in particular, was the focal point of much criticism. An ejection, costly penalties and general mental errors kept him from living up to expectations.
Bulluck, though, believes in the Alabama product.
Keith Bulluck believes in Evans and the Titans
Bulluck spent a decade with the Titans as a first round pick, himself. If anyone understands the pressures of the position Evans is in, it is the man known in Tennessee as Mr. Monday Night.
"I'd like to Rashaan take a couple steps forward," Bulluck said this week on 104.5 The Zone. "This is, I believe, his fourth or fifth year. Whatever year it is, he should step up and stop making the simple mistakes that might put the defense in a bad spot. Just make the big plays that we expect him to make as a first round draft pick."
As a rookie in 2018, Evans played in 15 games with seven starts at inside linebacker for the Titans. He totaled 63 tackles, six quarterback pressures, two tackles for loss and three passes defensed. Recruited by Nick Saban as an outside linebacker, Evans' greatest promise in his first season looked to be just unfolding.
He was still fairly new to the position he was being asked to play. Year-over-year improvement was the expectation.
Evans started every game during the regular season and playoffs as a sophomore, leading Tennessee defenders with 139 tackles and 11 tackles for loss. But, something was missing for Evans and the Titans defense in 2020. Losing veteran coordinator Dean Pees probably contributed, a new inside linebackers coach took some adjusting to as well. These changes amidst a global pandemic created a learning curve that may well have affected the young linebacker.
Bulluck knows Evans' potential, but also recognizes where Tennessee needs him to improve.
"Rashaan and I have definitely sat down and talked," said Bulluck. "For me, I would like him to be…to see him be more instinctive. Obviously, I watch the game totally differently. Most people would not see these little things that I'm privy to. But, at the same time, it's just being more instinctive as you become more of a professional in your craft. So, as a former professional, having a little personal relationship with Rashaan, that's where I'm coming from. It's not anything glaring that coaches or anything else would see."
Now, in a contract year with the Titans, Evans knows he must take the next step.
Improved talent and a more normalized offseason should help dramatically. The pressure is on, though. Robinson drafted linebacker Monty Rice last month to bolster Tennessee's depth.
The Titans know they will need a contingency plan should Evans fall short again this year.
Featured Image: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports.
