Titans fourth-round pick LB Cedric Gray has home-run answer on the defense's biggest question
The Tennessee Titans filled yet another major void on its roster by selecting North Carolina inside linebacker Cedric Gray with the 106th overall pick in the fourth round of the NFL draft. Since the departure of Azeez Al-Shaiir, who signed with the Houston Texans in free agency, there has been plenty of conversation over who […]
The Tennessee Titans filled yet another major void on its roster by selecting North Carolina inside linebacker Cedric Gray with the 106th overall pick in the fourth round of the NFL draft.
Since the departure of Azeez Al-Shaiir, who signed with the Houston Texans in free agency, there has been plenty of conversation over who will wear the green dot on the defense. The Titans now have their answer.
Gray is a tackling machine. He racked up 121 tackles with 11 tackles for loss and five sacks in his senior season in Chapel Hill. Gray also collected five interceptions to go along with 13 passes defensed in his three seasons as a starter.
He projects as a three-down defender with the ability to drop back in coverage on third down as well as being able to bring the heat on blitzes. His football IQ caters to what the Titans have been searching for as they appear to have found a starter capable of handling the responsibilities that come along with the green dot.
"I believe I will be able to (wear the green dot)," Gray told reporters following his selection. "That's something that I pride myself on in having a great football mind and understanding the game, understanding the defense, understanding where everybody is supposed to be. But also understanding how the offense is trying to attack us and be able to communicate and get everybody lined up.
Gray, a two-time captain at UNC, briefly discussed his intangibles, "I see myself as a leader. I feel like I can lead a group of men, so I think that will fit perfectly in being a green dot guy."
Gray will have some competition for the starting inside linebacker spot alongside Kenneth Murray. Returnees Jack Gibbens and Otis Reese IV have the edge in experience, but the Titans should feel good about those two options as depth pieces behind the rookie.
