Tennessee Titans: Top PFF grades from Preseason Week 3 game

Pro Football Focus released its grades for the Tennessee Titans on both sides of the ball for the Preseason Week 3 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In what was a brutal game for the Tennessee Titans overall in the third preseason contest, there were a few bright spots to speak of on offense and defense.

Let’s take a look at which players earned the highest grades against the Steelers.

Offense

Kalif Raymond is the big winner of Sunday night’s game against the Steelers.

He led all receivers with five catches for 58 yards, and more importantly, he once again outperformed fellow receiver, Taywan Taylor. Raymond has led the Titans in receiving in two of the team’s three preseason games and is making the case he should be kept over Taylor.

Corey Davis was targeted twice in Preseason Week 3, but only came down with one catch for 25 yards on a pass from Ryan Tannehill. Davis was also targeted by Marcus Mariota on an attempted deep ball that was slightly overthrown.

Offensive lineman Corey Levin was also a standout player. Levin could get some run at center this season, and he has the versatility to play elsewhere on the offensive line.

Defense

Quart’e Sapp was signed by the Titans on August 19th and quickly made his name known. He earned the highest grade among Titans defenders in Preseason Week 3.

Isiah Mack continued his strong preseason with the second-highest grade. Mack is one of a few Titans to get a sack in exhibition play, and he totaled three tackles (two solo) in the loss to Pittsburgh.

Mack has done more than enough to earn a roster spot, but things are a bit cloudy at the moment. The Titans have five defensive linemen who seem to all be likely to make the roster, including Jurrell Casey, DaQuan Jones, Austin Johnson, Brent Urban and Matt Dickerson.

Mack will need the Titans to carry a six defensive linemen, which the team did not do last season. So, that means Tennessee would have to either cut or trade one of the linemen on the bottom rung of the ladder in order to open up space for the standout UDFA.

I just can’t imagine a scenario in which Mack doesn’t make this team. Something has to give.

Starting offensive Line

While these weren’t the top grades for the offensive line, it is worth noting how badly the team’s starters graded out. The lone bright spot for the Tennessee Titans here: Jack Conklin.

The Titans’ right tackle has been sensational during the preseason and looks set to have a resurgence in 2019 now that he’s fully healthy. PFF listed Conklin as the No. 2 offensive lineman last week based on his overall grade through two preseason games.

Kevin Pamphile and Rodger Saffold both allowed a sack, and Dennis Kelly didn’t fare so well on the left side. In total, the Titans’ offensive linemen allowed seven sacks, including one against Marcus Mariota, and three apiece to Ryan Tannehill and Logan Woodside.

On Tuesday, head coach Mike Vrabel didn’t rule out making a move to improve the offensive line, and namely the right guard spot. Whatever the case may be, this group has to do better if Mariota is going to be upright and given the best chance to succeed this season.