The Tennessee Titans have reportedly given Harold Landry permission to seek a trade. The productive pass rusher has been a key component of the Titans’ pass rush since they drafted him in 2018, playing over 80% of their defensive snaps last season.
With a salary of $17.5 million for the upcoming season, the Titans are moving on from their former second-round pick. Who might step in to replace him in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Potential Harold Landry Replacements in the 2025 NFL Draft
Replacing Harold Landry’s production will be a challenge for the Titans. The outside linebacker recorded 19.5 sacks over the last two seasons despite coming off an ACL injury. In fact, in the previous three seasons he played, the pass rush specialist accumulated 31.5 sacks and 43 tackles for loss.
Fortunately, with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, Tennessee has options. Here are five potential replacements for Landry that the Titans could consider targeting in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Abdul Carter, Penn State
Abdul Carter is currently the second favorite to be selected first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, trailing only Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward in the odds. It’s easy to understand why the defender is so highly regarded.
The Penn State edge rusher recorded 12 sacks during his first year as a full-time edge rusher in 2024, along with an impressive 24 tackles for loss—the highest in the FBS.
Carter could be the top pick if the Titans decide to keep their first overall selection. As an elite athlete, he demonstrates remarkable agility and has a continually growing arsenal of pass-rush techniques. His explosive first step, aggressive physicality, and developing skill set make him a strong prospect heading into the NFL.
James Pearce Jr., Tennessee
If the Titans decide to trade the first overall pick and move down the board, there are several names positioned behind Carter in a deep edge-rusher group. James Pearce Jr. was a firm favorite for the No. 1 overall pick over the summer after a 10-sack season in 2023, but the Volunteers’ pass rusher did not replicate that same production last season.
Nevertheless, Pearce is an extremely twitchy athlete who can dominate tackles one-on-one. His exceptional agility and mobility, combined with a refined, technical, and tactical pass-rush plan, suggest that he can develop into a 10-plus sack artist at the next level. He just needs to enhance his strength so he can better withstand the run at the professional level.
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
If the Titans choose a different approach in the first round, they will have plenty of options on day two of the draft.
One key target for teams looking to strengthen their pass rush in the second round is Donovan Ezeiruaku. The Boston College pass rusher finished second in the FBS with 16.5 sacks in 2024, demonstrating impressive bend and body control to turn the corner.
At 6’2” and 247 pounds, he showcased significant speed and power in pursuing the passer, making him a formidable threat from wide alignments.
Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss
Princely Umanmielen is another player the Titans could target on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft to beef up their pass rush room. The Ole Miss edge rusher is eruptive out of his stance and shows a violent leg drive to pursue the passer.
At 6’4” and 262 pounds, Umanmielen bends like a player 20 pounds lighter and is able to consistently convert speed to power and win by bulldozing through offensive tackles’ chests or attacking the inside shoulder.
Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Nic Scourton’s outlook for the 2025 NFL Draft appears patchy. In 2023, playing for the Purdue Boilermakers, he led the Big Ten with 10 sacks. However, he struggled to maintain that production level after transferring to Texas A&M, which might be attributed to added weight.
Scourton seemed to be playing noticeably heavier, which adversely affected his pass-rushing ability. If he can reduce his weight, he possesses some of the most refined and polished film of any pass rusher.
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In 2023, the edge rusher demonstrated an impressive speed-to-power conversion and an outstanding pressure-to-sack ratio. He effectively used his strength to create leverage and showcased a lethal spin move that consistently overwhelmed offensive tackles.
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