The Tennessee Titans desperately need to improve their pass rush this offseason. First-year defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson was dealing with a lack of high-end talent at the edge position. It led to predictable results, with the Titans recording just 32.0 sacks, the third-worst mark in the entire league. Not a single defender recorded double-digit sacks during the 2024 season.
New general manager Mike Borgonzi will have to add some veteran pass-rushing chops to the roster. Borgonzi and president of football operations Chad Brinker have also assembled a sizable front-office staff that happens to possess ties to various pending free-agent EDGEs. We've identified three of them the Titans may pursue this offseason.
Josh Sweat, Philadelphia Eagles
The Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles have a loaded roster and they're unlikely to keep all of their pending free agents. One intriguing talent who is due a raise in pay is EDGE Josh Sweat. Sweat recorded 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl and has been a consistent pass-rushing threat over the years, ranking 15th among edge defenders in pressures (178) over the past three campaigns, per Pro Football Focus.
Before joining the Titans, Wilson spent two seasons (2021-22) alongside Sweat in Philadelphia. In 2022, the energetic quarterback hunter posted a career-high 11.0 sacks. Sweat would be joining Harold Landry and Arden Key in a revamped EDGE room.
Charles Omenihu, Kansas City Chiefs
Charles Omenihu missed the majority of the 2024 campaign after tearing his ACL during the 2023 playoffs. The former Texas standout appeared in six games this past season, recording one sack. Before the injury in 2023, Omenihu accumulated a career-high seven sacks.
Borgonzi was a part of the brain-trusts in Kansas City that signed Omenihu to a two-year contract. Now a full year removed from ACL surgery, Omenihu should be regaining strength in his knee. The Titans could buy low on a potential bargain.
Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders
Malcolm Koonce was a third-round selection (No. 79) of the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2021 NFL Draft. Koonce enjoyed a breakout season as a third-year pro in 2023, totaling 8.0 sacks, especially thriving under then-interim head coach Antonio Pierce. Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2024 campaign after suffering a preseason season-ending injury.
New Titans assistant general manager Dave Ziegler spent nearly two completed seasons with Koonce in Vegas (2022-23). Ziegler witnessed his breakout. A new regime in Vegas may not be interested in re-signing him. The Titans could see him as a bounce-back candidate.