Photo By: Greg Arias/AllTitans.com
Hitting the Ceiling: Titans Will Maximize Wins if Edge Rushers Produce
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans' offseason has created a healthy amount of skepticism about whether they can compete for a division title in 2023, but most of that doubt comes from concerns on the offensive side of the ball.
The Titans could have won the AFC South a year ago, but lost to Jacksonville on the final day of the regular season in a winner-take all game. It was the Titans' seventh straight loss. It's Jacksonville who is the favorite this year, according to the gambling website Fanduel. The Jaguars have odds to win at minus-160, while the Titans are second at plus-360.
Even though the offense is the more unknown, the Titans still have some uncertainty on the defensive side of the ball. If the Titans want to maximize wins and hit their ceiling as a team, a few key things need to happen on defense. One of those keys involves the Titans new edge rush trio.
We have discussed the offensive factors already including Tim Kelly's offense, second-year playmakers and the revamped offensive line. If you missed those be sure to check them out!
Edge Rush Trio
Harold Landry
Landry had a 12-sack season in 2021, his best output of his career. Finally flanked by solid rushers in Jeffery Simmons, Denico Autry and Bud Dupree, Landry was able to use his high effort and excellent bend to get to quarterbacks routinely.
Landry missed the 2022 season after an ACL tear right before the year kicked off. The hope is he will return healthy due to how early in the year his injury occurred and he can get back to being himself right away.
The good news for the Titans is, even if Landry is not 100% out of the gate, the Titans overall group should be able to pick him up until Landry does feel himself. If that happens, Landry could hit his stride after a few weeks and go back to being the top dog in an excellent three-man group. That is what the Titans will need if they want to cash double digit wins.
Arden Key
Key will be...key to the Titans' defense. As mentioned, he will likely have to carry more weight than normal early on as Landry gets back on his feet, but Key will thrive as a rotational rusher who brings great energy.
Key finished last season on a tear having the second-most pressures in the NFL in the last month of the season. He plays with his hair on fire, but the question is can Key bring that same energy as a full-time player rather than the rotational player he has been the last two years.
The Titans are going to find out, but if Key can replicate his performance the last two seasons and add that to what the Titans get from Landry and Rashad Weaver, the defense could get a major boost.
Rashad Weaver
Weaver had 5.5 sacks in what was his rookie year in spirit. Weaver only played two games his rookie season due to a broken leg, so 2022 did serve more as his first year on the job.
Weaver got healthy and made an impact on the 2022 team. As mentioned, it was basically his first year so there were moments of up and down play, but Weaver plays with great effort and strength.
After spending this offseason working on lower body strength, Weaver should be primed to take another leap. Expecting eight sacks shouldn't be asking too much. If the Titans can see a leap from Weaver, energy from Key and health from Landry, this team is well on it's way to hitting their win ceiling in 2023.
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