1 Tennessee Titans player makes PFF’s top 25 offensive linemen
Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones is getting some recognition for his play through 15 weeks by Pro Football Focus.
It has been an up-and-down year for the Tennessee Titans’ offensive line in 2019, but center Ben Jones has remained the one constant.
According to Pro Football Focus’ Ben Linsey, Jones cracks their top 25 offensive linemen after 15 weeks of the 2019 NFL season.
Jones comes in at No. 19 on the list and is graded as the third-best center over, and is ranked second in pass protection grade with an 85.7. PFF says this has been the best season of his eight-year career.
"Jones has been around for a while now, providing the Texans and Titans with solid play, but Year 8 has brought with it the best year of his career. His overall grade falls behind only Kelce and Ragnow among centers in 2019, and Jones has been better than every center not named Rodney Hudson in pass protection with an 85.7 pass-blocking grade. He’s the top player on a Titans’ offensive line that ranks 10th in the NFL in overall grade as a unit in 2019."
Despite the Titans having issues on either side of Jones at both guard spots, the veteran has been able to step his game up and have a great season. He’s been listed on multiple PFF lists for top offensive linemen in 2019.
Thankfully for Tennessee, both left guard Rodger Saffold and right guard Nate Davis have improved as the year has progressed.
Saffold in particular was a dumpster fire to start the season, but has now recovered and it looks as though the four-year, $44 million contract the Titans gave him during the offseason was money well spent.
Davis, on the other hand, is still showing some warts, however his play has picked up significantly since making his debut in Week 4, which breeds some hope for his future in 2020 and beyond.
As a team, the Titans have allowed 51 sacks, the second-most in the NFL; although quarterback Ryan Tannehill has taken just two sacks or less in three of his last four games.
Meanwhile, running back Derrick Henry has seen some of the best run blocking he has seen all season in the second half.