2. Pass Rush
The Titans seem to lack a bloodthirst — or rather, an explosion in the trenches. Luckily, this is where Jeffery Simmons excels. Simmons has a bull-rush that, in college, had even the best interior offensive lineman on their backs. His length/power combination is his claim to fame and pops off the tape.
Not a one-trick pony, Simmons is probably better against the run than he is rushing the passer, but the Titans have added a game-wrecker no matter how you shake it.
According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons had the fourth-highest pass-rushing win percentage (16.5) among the 2019 draft class.
The Titans pick Jeffery Simmons with the 19th overall selection!
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 26, 2019
He tore his ACL but did it so early in the process that he could still play as a rookie. Simmons had a run-defense and pass-rushing grade over 90.0 this past season at @HailStateFB #NFLDraft https://t.co/rDzZh3Sl3v
I tend to think that as the Titans give Simmons his initial reps, we’ll see more of him on early downs. He can be a three-down player, for sure, but they don’t want to give him more than he can handle.
If the exterior pass-rush struggles, however, Simmons’ signature push from the middle could destabilize the pocket and make things a bit easier on guys like outside linebacker, Harold Landry.
Interior pressure is essential in a league where quarterbacks are getting the ball out quicker than ever before. Well, on most teams.