With just two days to go until rookies report, and just five days to go until veterans report, we keep chugging right along with our training camp previews for the Tennessee Titans.
This time around we take a look at the Titans’ defensive line, which is no doubt one of this team’s biggest strengths, at least when it comes to the starters.
As for the backup options, it’s a much different story after the team lost both DeMarcus Walker and Mario Edwards in free agency. Walker, of course, was the much bigger loss after tallying a career-high seven sacks last season, but Edwards was a solid reserve in his own right.
With those two gone, the Titans are relying on a slew of unproven to mostly unproven players for reserve spots, leaving this team an injury or two away from potential disaster.
With all that in mind, here’s a look at the roster locks and competitions for the defensive line, as well as a prediction for how it all turns out.
Note: In case you’ve missed our previous previews, you can check them out at the bottom of this article.
Roster Locks
Roster Locks: Teair Tart, Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry
While underrated nationally, this is an elite trio that has routinely wreaked havoc when healthy, something that was an issue for both Simmons and Autry last season.
The only thing in question here is if Tart can improve as a pass-rusher, an area he made strides in last season.
Defensive line coach Terrell Williams believes Tart is getting better, and his word is enough to leave me excited for what he might do in 2023. Even if he doesn’t improve much as a pass-rusher, he’s still a great run-stuffer in the middle of Tennessee’s vaunted front.
On the Bubble
On the Bubble: Naquan Jones, Jaleel Johnson, Sam Okuayinonu, Jayden Peevy, Curtis Brooks, TK McLendon (UDFA), Shakel Brown (UDFA)
Believe it or not, Jones is actually one of the elder statesmen of this group as he enters his third season in the NFL.
Jones has appeared in 24 games the last two seasons and that would typically be enough for me to consider him a lock when you consider the inexperience with the rest of the group, but his seemingly falling out of favor in 2022 has me going in a different direction.
Even with injuries upfront and Teair Tart playing 47 percent of snaps, Jones went from averaging 25.2 snaps per game in 13 contests in 2021 to 14.2 snaps per in 11 games in 2022. Even still, he’s one of the favorites here.
The other elder statesman and frontrunner for a backup role is Jaleel Johnson, a six-year veteran who was signed by Tennessee in May.
Based on past PFF grades, Johnson has proven to be a better pass-rusher than run defender, making the 316-pound lineman a potential rotational piece at the nose.
Sam Okuayinonu is another player with experience, although he has just six games under his belt. He brings versatility with his ability to play standing up, also, but we’ll list him with the D-lineman since that’s how the Titans have him labeled on their official site. When adding all that up, he’s a frontrunner for a roster spot out of this bubble group.
The players facing the biggest uphill climb are Jayden Peevy, Curtis Brooks, and 2023 undrafted free agents, Shakel Brown and TK McLendon, although McLendon was highlighted as player to watch by our Shaun Calderon.
The good news for these guys is, if there’s one position group on this team where underdogs have a good shot, it’s along the defensive line.
Competitions
There is nothing to be said about starting spots, as Tart, Autry and Big Jeff are locked in. Who spells them when it’s necessary remains to be seen, though.
Backup NT
As far as the backup to Tart goes, keep an eye on Jones and Johnson, both of whom are best suited for that role. If Tart can take that next step as a pass-rusher, there won’t be a ton of snaps to be had there.
Backup DE/DT
Sam O. is a name to watch here and I actually think he’s better suited for the defensive line than standing up at outside linebacker. Jayden Peevy will also be in the mix here, but Okuayinonu has the edge.
53-man prediction
53-man prediction: Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry, Teair Tart, Sam Okuayinonu, Naquan Jones, Jaleel Johnson
The Titans carried seven into last season, so it’s certainly possible they have that many in 2023. However, I don’t think it’s totally necessary considering Rashad Weaver could help out here. If Tennessee does carry a seventh, I’d tentatively pick Peevy, but that spot would be totally up for grabs.
This group pales in comparison to last year’s in terms of depth, and that’s why the Titans should be exploring ways to upgrade via the free-agent market in the days and weeks ahead.
Check out our other training camp previews!
