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Titans stock report: Who is rising and falling after Preseason Week 3?

ByMichael Moraitis|
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 25: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against Amani Hooker #37 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 25: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against Amani Hooker #37 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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Tennessee Titaisn defensive back, Amani Hooker.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 25: Jaylen Samuels #38 of the Pittsburgh Steelers stiff arms Amani Hooker #37 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Stock up: Amani Hooker

Tennessee Titans rookie defensive back Amani Hooker had himself a solid game in Preseason Week 3.

Hooker, who took home our Titans Player of the Game award on Sunday night, notched three total tackles (two solo), one pass defended, and one diving interception that turned out to be one of the few highlights for the Titans.

Take a look at the impressive play by the Titans’ fourth-round pick on an errant throw by Steelers quarterback, Mason Rudolph.

The Iowa product played 32 snaps (54 percent) last night, the third-most on the defense.

Hooker has now put together three impressive preseason performances and looks to be a valuable asset to provide depth on the Titans’ defense in his first season.

The Titans have Hooker listed as a safety on their unofficial depth chart and that’s where he played last night, but we’d expect to see him get at least some snaps at corner after finishing first in the FBS last season with a slot coverage grade of 88.5, per Pro Football Focus.

Tennessee Titans.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 25: Vince Williams #98 of the Pittsburgh Steelers sacks quarterback Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

Stock down: Offensive line

It was a brutal night for the Titans’ starting offensive line, and more specifically, it was not a good showing for either left tackle Dennis Kelly or right guard Kevin Pamphile. Pamphile allowed a sack  had a penalty called against him that negated a catch by A.J. Brown.

In all, the Titans allowed seven sacks, one against Marcus Mariota, and three apiece to Ryan Tannehill and Logan Woodside. In fact, head coach Mike Vrabel decided to pull Mariota early because of how poorly the guys upfront were blocking for him.

This is particularly troubling because the Titans have a tough slate of pass-rushers to stave off to start the season. Kelly has huge shoes to fill in place of a suspended Taylor Lewan, and Pamphile might have gotten lucky thanks to an injury to Nate Davis, or he might not be starting in 2019.

Regardless, the Titans have to figure things out and perhaps give Kelly some help on the left side by putting Delanie Walker over there more often. Whatever the case may be, Tennessee needs a better showing from its offensive line if this team is going to succeed.

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