Tennessee Titans 2016 Season Grades: Defensive Line

Next up in the grading system for the 2016 season is the defensive line.

We finish up the 2016 season grades by checking out how the defensive line fared. Like the rest of the defensive units, it had its fair share of problems. But it certainly wasn’t the reason for the Titans defense being one of the worst in the league. Upgrades certainly wouldn’t hurt though.

Jurrell Casey

Another year, another great season for the Titans’ most consistent defender since 2011. Casey hasn’t been able to quite replicate the stunning 10.5 sack season of 2013, but he has racked up sack totals of 5.0, 7.0, and 5.0 in the ensuing seasons. And that’s while controlling the run game along his side of the defensive line. Casey will enter his age 28 season as one of the best defensive linemen in the entire league.

Grade: A-

DaQuan Jones

For the second straight year, Jones started all 16 games for the Titans as Casey’s bookend at defensive end. A bit miscast as a 3-4 defensive end (more of a 4-3 defensive tackle), Jones had his best year as a pro in 2016 and will most likely head into 2017 as the starter once again. That said, Jones is probably best used as a rotational piece along the defensive line and the Titans could very well look to add a 3-4 defensive end through the draft. Jones might get more snaps at nose tackle with Al Woods gone.

Grade: B-

Karl Klug

“KKKKLLLLUUUGGGGG” is a fan favorite for a reason. Year after year, he comes into the game in passing situations and hits quarterbacks. He is strictly a pass-rushing specialist, but he gets his money’s worth when he’s on the field. While it may not translate to a high sack number every year, his presence is constantly felt by opposing linemen and quarterbacks. He’s one of the most effective pass rushers in the league, and that’s not an exaggeration. Klug only picked up 1.5 sacks in 2016, but he was still one of the Titans’ best defenders, even in limited snaps. Unfortunately, he tore his achilles with two games left in the season. The Titans will be hoping he can get back healthy.

Grade: B

Al Woods

Signed to be a run-stuffer, Woods just never made much of an impact as a Titan. He held up double teams well from time to time, but didn’t provide the run-stopping ability that the Titans were expecting when they signed and re-signed him during three years in Tennessee. Woods has since signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Sylvester Williams was signed to replace him.

Grade: C-

Austin Johnson

A second round rookie out of Penn State, Johnson was drafted as Woods’ eventual replacement. Even with Williams in tow, Johnson is expected to take on a bigger role in his second year. His rookie season was a tale of two halves. After appearing in just three games through the first nine weeks, Johnson came on strong as the Titans made a playoff push with seven games to go. He was effective in the run game and was surprisingly effective in pass rush. Even though his rookie year was inconsistent, there’s a lot of good to take from it heading into 2017.

Grade: B-

Angelo Blackson

Used mostly as a nose tackle, Blackson has proved to be a capable rotational piece. He isn’t flashy and doesn’t make big plays, but he does his job efficiently and doesn’t pose too much of a drop-off while the starters get breathers.

Grade: C+

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