Top 3 Titans on Defense That "Must Produce" in 2023

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans will go into 2023 with some of the worst talent you will find at the NFL level filling out the offensive depth chart. With that, the burden goes to the Titans' defense to be the driving force in winning games this season. For the Titans' defense to accomplish that, they will need some key guys to play their best.

One word of note here. Obviously, if a team wants to win at the highest level everyone needs to chip in and each individual players must produce for the sake of their own career. The reality is, not every player on every good defense plays well all the time. You rely more on certain players than others.

Jeffery Simmons, Defensive Tackle

Jeffery Simmons got a contract as big as he is from the Titans this offseason. A four-year mega-deal worth $94 million. It was well deserved. Simmons is the foundation the Titans' defense is built on, so of course, he was going to make this list.

Simmons was still relatively dominant last year despite having a bum ankle the second half of the season. If Simmons remains fully healthy, he can take his game to another level. Simmons has yet to get double digit sacks in a single season in his career. That will need to change in 2023.

Kevin Byard, Safety

The Titans asked Kevin Byard to take a pay cut this offseason and Byard declined. Hard to blame him when he put up 108 tackles and four interceptions in 2022. Regardless, Byard will be expected to once again live up to his contract. A contract that includes the highest cap hit for any safety in the NFL at over $19 million.

Byard has been a turnover machine throughout his career and, more importantly, has been able to stay healthy. The Titans will need him do both all over again if they hope to win games on the back of the defense.

Kristian Fulton, Cornerback

Kristian Fulton has been injury plagued throughout his career. He has only played in 30 of the possible 50 games in his first three seasons. Fulton is going into a contract year so for his sake and the team's, Fulton needs to bring his A game.

Fulton has shown signs of being a solid number one corner and sometimes he looks like that is not his path. If Fulton wants to get the money he thinks he is worth in free agency next offseason and the Titans' defense is expected to single-handedly win games, Fulton will need to be the best version of himself.

Check out the offensive Top 3 HERE

Titans Related Stories

MUST WIN GAMES: The Tennessee Titans 2023 regular season schedule has been released and there are a few games on the slate that the Titans must win if they plan to make the playoffs. CLICK HERE
TANNEHILL "Week 1 Starter": The Tennessee Titans may have draft a quarterback in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft in Will Levis, but according to a report from ESPN's Dianna Russini, Ryan Tannehill "is the starter Week 1" for the upcoming season. CLICK HERE

FREE AGENT RECEIVERS: The Tennessee Titans finally drafted a wide receiver in the last round of the 2023 NFL draft, but the issue at the position hardly seems resolved. Here are some free agent options the Titans have that could add some value. CLICK HERE