Tennessee Titans fans wondered if they got a steal when the team drafted former Michigan Wolverines EDGE Jaylen Harrell with the No. 252 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. The sixth-last pick of the entire draft, Harrell arrived in Nashville with "steal of the class" potential.
The early returns were promising. Harrell, who recorded 6.5 sacks for the National Championship winning Wolverines in 2023, impressed throughout training camp and the preseason. It was a proper follow-up to a standout showing at the Senior Bowl. Unfortunately, Harrell failed to carry that momentum over to the regular season.
In search of answers to their pass-rushing woes, the Titans afforded Harrell opportunity. He failed to seize his chances. Harrell recorded zero sacks and just five pressures throughout 129 pass-rushing snaps as a rookie, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF slapped him with a rushing grade of 42.7. He was even worse as a run defender, scoring a 38.1 in that department.
Entering his second offseason in Tennessee, Harrell finds himself on the roster bubble.
Former Michigan star could be on Titans' chopping block
Dennard Wilson's pass-rush appears to be the Titans' biggest weakness heading into the 2025 season, but a few acquisitions have bumped Harrell even further down the depth chart. First-year GM Mike Borgonzi drafted former UCLA rusher Femi Oladejo with his second-round pick. Veteran defender Dre'Mont Jones was also signed to a one-year contract.
Oladejo and Jones will join Arden Key to form Tennessee's top-three options at EDGE. The Titans also signed veteran rusher Lorenzo Carter in free agency. Carter disappointingly produced zero sacks with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024, but he has four career seasons under his belt with four-or-more sacks. He's certainly more seasoned than Harrell.
That probably places Harrell at No. 5 on the depth chart, and he'll face competition for that spot from fellow returnee Ali Gaye and undrafted free agent Desmond Evans. The Titans kept five outside linebackers on last year's initial 53-man roster.
The Titans desperately need pass-rushing production after placing third-worst in the league in sacks last season. They lack top-tier talent on the depth chart, but Key, Jones, and Oladejo undeniably sit atop Wilson's pecking order. It's easy to envision Harrell getting lost in the mix this offseason.
Expectations should be low for seventh-rounders like Harrell. The hype was a little higher than it should have been, based on Michigan's 2023 season, paired with his showings in practice and throughout the offseason. Harrell didn't maximize his opportunity, and the ex Wolverines defender could now be on the chopping block.