Titans Draft Rashaan Evans as Mike Vrabel Leaps Patriots, Bill Belichick for LB

Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans was selected with the No. 22 pick in the first round Thursday by the Tennessee Titans. 

The Titans traded up with the Baltimore Ravens to get Evans. The Ravens announced they received the 25th and 125th overall selections for the 22nd and 215th picks.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller and ESPN's Mike Reiss noted how new Titans head coach Mike Vrabel moved ahead of his old team:

Here's how others reacted to the pick:

So what can Tennessee expect from Evans? NFL Media's Lance Zierlein offered the following scouting report:

"[Evans is an] ascending linebacker talent who has the speed to fly around from sideline to sideline and played with an improved feel for the position in 2017. Despite limited playing time over his first few seasons, Evans adapted a 'work while you wait' mindset that prepared him to for impressive performances in three consecutive national championship games. Evans is an ideal inside linebacker fit for a blitz-happy 3-4 unit, but he could easily fit as a 4-3 WILL with rush potential on sub-packages. Evans is an early starter with high-end potential if he can stay healthy."

Zierlein's pro comparison for Evans was Lawrence Timmons. 

Durability could be an issue, as groin injuries plagued him the past two seasons. However, he impressed when he was on the field for Alabama, registering 74 tackles (13 for loss) and six sacks in 12 games during the 2017 season.

Where Evans might separate himself from some of the other linebackers in this class is in his ability to successfully rush the passer. PFF Draft shared some of his impressive statistics in that regard:

As Jordan Plocher of Pro Football Focus added: "Evans is a relentless, physical presence on the second level who explodes into people on contact. While Evans is built more in the model of a traditional weak-side linebacker, he has shown the ability to also get after the passer both as a blitzer and rushing off the edge."

The name of the game in the NFL is versatility, and Evans offers a traditional skill set as a linebacker alongside the ability to influence the game as a blitzer. His size, strength and athleticism give him a huge ceiling, and his production suggests his floor isn't particularly low.

There will be questions about whether Evans can improve the speed at which he diagnoses plays at the next level, as Zierlein noted. To this point, his superb athleticism has covered for any issues with his instincts, allowing him to adjust with his burst.

In the NFL, however, the margin for error is far smaller and the windows to exploit are more narrow. But Evans should be able to make an immediate impact if he quickly grasps Tennessee's scheme and the more complex and immediate reads he will need to make in the NFL.