Mel Kiper Mock Draft 1.0: Titans and Texas A&M OLB Von Miller

by Jimmy on Jan 19, 2011 11:45 AM CST in NFL Draft

Mel Kiper has put out his first mock draft of the draft season (In$ider) and he has the Titans taking Texas A&M OLB Von Miller. My problem with this pick is that he would have to play defensive end in the 4-3, and I don't see the Titans spending a second consecutive ~~third~~ first round pick on a defensive end (especially with no one to coach him). I would be all of the pick if the Titans thought he could play linebacker for them, but I haven't seen anyone project him as a 4-3 linebacker.

Here is what Kiper had to say about him:

Miller has the reputation of a big-time sack artist but his game is more diversified than he gets credit for. What Miller brings in Week 1 is a great third-down option. A gifted edge-rusher, he can get to the quarterback, but you can also mix it up and drop him into zone coverage, where he has speed and developing awareness at the position. A solid tackler, Miller will only get better in the 4-3 system as he adjusts to the NFL game.

A lot of you Big 12 people have seen more out of Miller than I have. What do you think about this pick?

Highlights after the jump.

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i'm down with this.

We had the weakest LB corp in the NFL last year. Also after watching the last two A&M games I notices miller had great leadership skills and played angry. This I think is a reach but the need is too great.

by CJ2K shrine on Jan 19, 2011 11:55 AM CST via mobile reply actions

It would be hard for me to excited about this pick.

We’ve just got so many other needs, a DE seems like a luxury pick.

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by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jan 19, 2011 11:55 AM CST reply actions

Gotta love the Big 12 boys!

Von Miller is a beast. He destroyed Nebraska’s O-line this year. However, I don’t think he fits well at all into a 4-3 system as a linebacker or an end. He will fit great into any 3-4 defense, but I see him busting if he gets stuck anywhere with a 4-3 scheme.

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by Josh Baker on Jan 19, 2011 12:08 PM CST reply actions

First round picks, not third

And i can’t be excited about this unless he can be a 4-3 LB.

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by BonzosMontreaux on Jan 19, 2011 12:08 PM CST reply actions

Yeah, wow, thanks

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by Jimmy on Jan 19, 2011 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

Well, at least we would have someone to cover TEs...

which we don’t seem to have now….as far as blitzing goes….IDK, I think I’d rather send someone a little faster like a CB. We’ve still got this glaring problem at QB, so if Gabbert’s still there, I think we have to take him.

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 19, 2011 12:37 PM CST up reply actions

There was a fan post about some potential high draft picks a while back

and Miller was brought up. This is why I didn’t like him. He doesn’t fit a 4-3 as an immediate impact player. There’s no promise, at least early on, that he wouldn’t be just as much of a liability in pass coverage as our current linebackers.

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by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 19, 2011 12:41 PM CST reply actions

Exactly!!

Look….you’ve got Peterson, Fairley, Bowers, Green, Quinn, Dareus, Amukamara, & Gabbert. So if those are the 1st 8 to go….then we’re gonna get one of them. And I’d be OK with either one of those guys.

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 19, 2011 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

isn't Miller strictly a 3-4 guy?

I admit that I haven’t watched him or the farming school of texas

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by nolesbroncos3456 on Jan 19, 2011 12:49 PM CST reply actions

Well, he runs a 40 in 4.56....

That’s blazing fast for a LB….so there’s no reason why he’d have trouble covering the pass.

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by titansfan4ever on Jan 19, 2011 12:51 PM CST up reply actions

Pass coverage is

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by NJD28 on Jan 19, 2011 1:09 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

i showed our LBs 4o times early in the past month or 2

McRath ran a 4.5 as well

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by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jan 19, 2011 8:37 PM CST up reply actions

What was with the random Ryan Mallett getting crushed highlight?

Von Miller didnt even tackle him.

But it all seriousness, the best route in the draft may be Von Miller at #8, and Andy Dalton in the 2nd round.

Yes, you heard me promote another QB besides Mallett.

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by rsikes on Jan 19, 2011 1:18 PM CST reply actions

looks like a 3-4 OLB

plays standing up and always on the line.

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by asbestos_man on Jan 19, 2011 2:09 PM CST reply actions

Von Miller is the perfect 3-4 rush LB

But he doesn’t have great coverage skills in the passing game (he’s not bad but he’s not great).

I don’t see the Titans drafting him…he just doesn’t fit into a traditional 4-3 defense. Could he eventually succeed as a 4-3 LB?? Maybe, but it would require some coaching and patience…something I don’t think the Titans have right now.

by shawneriksmith on Jan 19, 2011 3:30 PM CST reply actions

This pick doesn't fit at all

Kiper needs to pick Cam Newton in every mock. He will be our pick. Cam’s value and team need are a perfect match

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by Big Bad Bulluck on Jan 19, 2011 6:55 PM CST reply actions

kiper said

He would only get better in a 4-3 system. I saw this guy play. He’s a beast. Don’t know a ton about him. But if he is a 3-4 guy, why did kipper make that comment?

by The Nasty One Lives on Jan 20, 2011 4:22 PM CST via mobile reply actions