georgiafan
Hall of Famer
Present
Brian Orakpo signed a 4 year deal and that was huge both in real life and maybe even more so in madden since his overall is a 87. He didn't become the elite pass rusher many thought he would become earlier in his career. Still he has over 8.5 sacks 4 different times in his career. The other starter was rumored to be leaving this offseason though he was brought back is former 1st rounder Derrick Morgan. He is more of a run stuffer and all around OLB then Orakpo and has had 6 sacks 3 years in a row.
Keeping them two healthy will be a key bc the backups won't be rated very high in Jonathon Massaquoi and Deiontrez Mount. Massaquoi was suppose to be another draft steal from Troy. But he was never able to do in it Atlanta and that was with a team that was desperate for pass rush. Mount is a 6th round rookie from Louisville who has the size at 6'5 249.
The two starting ILB will be a pair of young guys in Zach Brown and Avery Williamson. Zach was a 2nd round draft pick and his 2 years has been one of the best playmakers on the defense. In those 2 years he has 184 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions. Avery saw a lot of playing time as a 5th round rookie and had 79 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 FR. If i had to project the ratings for these guys I would say 78-83 overall.
The top backup at ILB and maybe even OLB is undersized vet Wesley Woodyard who like Avery played at Kentucky. Wesley has over 500 career tackles and is still under 30. Another player with a uphill battle for playing time is Zavier Gooden a former 3rd round pick in 2013 who has very little production.
Future
The future at the position at ILB looks pretty good as Brown is 25 and Williamson is only 23 so they should be around for the next 5+ years. There overall should be in the mid-high 80's a few years down the line.
Derrick Morgan was brought back and he is just 26 but at this point he is what he is and his upside is limited. Orakpo is 29 and was rated higher then he should have been so he will have 2-3 more good years till he starts to regress. He is coming off a injury so thats something to keep a eye on. The rookie Mount is unlikely to develop into a starter.
If the titans have the chance to take a elite pass rusher in the top 10 then It will be hard to pass up on that position. But they would like to wait till atleast round 2 as other positons will have higher priorties. How good this unit becomes in the future will depend on the ratings of the two young ILB
The Star - Brian Orakpo
The unknown - Avery Williams
Start packing your bags - Zavier Gooden
Priority - Mild
Brian Orakpo signed a 4 year deal and that was huge both in real life and maybe even more so in madden since his overall is a 87. He didn't become the elite pass rusher many thought he would become earlier in his career. Still he has over 8.5 sacks 4 different times in his career. The other starter was rumored to be leaving this offseason though he was brought back is former 1st rounder Derrick Morgan. He is more of a run stuffer and all around OLB then Orakpo and has had 6 sacks 3 years in a row.
Keeping them two healthy will be a key bc the backups won't be rated very high in Jonathon Massaquoi and Deiontrez Mount. Massaquoi was suppose to be another draft steal from Troy. But he was never able to do in it Atlanta and that was with a team that was desperate for pass rush. Mount is a 6th round rookie from Louisville who has the size at 6'5 249.
The two starting ILB will be a pair of young guys in Zach Brown and Avery Williamson. Zach was a 2nd round draft pick and his 2 years has been one of the best playmakers on the defense. In those 2 years he has 184 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions. Avery saw a lot of playing time as a 5th round rookie and had 79 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 FR. If i had to project the ratings for these guys I would say 78-83 overall.
The top backup at ILB and maybe even OLB is undersized vet Wesley Woodyard who like Avery played at Kentucky. Wesley has over 500 career tackles and is still under 30. Another player with a uphill battle for playing time is Zavier Gooden a former 3rd round pick in 2013 who has very little production.
Future
The future at the position at ILB looks pretty good as Brown is 25 and Williamson is only 23 so they should be around for the next 5+ years. There overall should be in the mid-high 80's a few years down the line.
Derrick Morgan was brought back and he is just 26 but at this point he is what he is and his upside is limited. Orakpo is 29 and was rated higher then he should have been so he will have 2-3 more good years till he starts to regress. He is coming off a injury so thats something to keep a eye on. The rookie Mount is unlikely to develop into a starter.
If the titans have the chance to take a elite pass rusher in the top 10 then It will be hard to pass up on that position. But they would like to wait till atleast round 2 as other positons will have higher priorties. How good this unit becomes in the future will depend on the ratings of the two young ILB
The Star - Brian Orakpo
The unknown - Avery Williams
Start packing your bags - Zavier Gooden
Priority - Mild