Not only is Tennessee Titans nose tackle Teair Tart one of the most underrated players on his own team, but also arguably in the league.
Tart isn’t a household name by any means, but he’s the type of player who could hit free agency next year and earn himself an annual eight-figure payday for the foreseeable future.
Buy Titans TicketsThe Florida International product is a menace in the run game and has made strides as a disruptive presence against the pass, whether he’s rushing the passer or even dropping into coverage.
But it’s his ability to help shut down the run game especially that makes Tart such an impressive player. Blocking the 304-pound defensive lineman is no easy feat for an offensive lineman.
Big game from @speedboy_te75 pic.twitter.com/1G7Wp1GCXm
— MADsportSD16 (@MADsportSD16) October 10, 2022
And so much so that he’s produced the third-highest grade Pro Football Focus among nose tackles when taking on double teams in the run game since 2020, trailing only the Washington Commanders’ Daron Payne and the Carolina Panthers’ Derrick Brown, per Pro Football Focus.
Using @PFF grades, best nose tackles when taking on double teams in the run game over the last three years
1. Derrick Brown, Panthers
2. Daron Payne, Commanders
3. Teair Tart, Titans
4. Al Woods, Jets
5. Dexter Lawrence, Giants— Steve Palazzolo (@PFF_Steve) September 7, 2023
On top of Tart’s impressive showing against double teams, Jeffery Simmons is the second-highest graded interior defensive lineman when facing two or more blockers in the run game since the start of 2020.
Having those two in the same lineup is a massive problem for the opposition, and it’s a big reason why the Titans have sported an elite run defense the past two seasons, including the No. 1 unit in 2022 – and that was despite all of the injuries they suffered on that side of the ball.
Now that Tennessee has all of its primary defenders in the lineup again, the sky truly is the limit for the Titans’ defensive front, as long as it can stay healthy.
