The Tennessee Titans enter Sunday's Week 17 contest with the New Orleans Saints having won two of their last three. The defense has been receiving standout performances from various rookie and sophomore players. One previously disappointing draft pick who has improved his play is second-year EDGE Jaylen Harrell.
Previous GM Ran Carthon drafted Harrell in the seventh round last year. The former Michigan Wolverine contributed nothing as a rookie. Harrell notched just five pressures in 286 snaps and had one of the worst success rates as a pass rusher.
Harrell has found himself in a larger role lately. The Titans traded Dre'Mont Jones at the deadline, and rookie Femi Oladejo is on IR. Harrell has taken full advantage of his opportunities, possibly playing himself into a 2026 role.
Titans sophomore EDGE Jaylen Harrell has been a breakout stud
Since the Week 10 bye, Harrell has registered 12 quarterback pressures. The 252nd selection in the 2025 NFL Draft has recorded a sack in three straight outings. He's accumulated a career-high 16 pressures and 3.5 sacks.
Harrell forced a fumble in the Week 16 blowout victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. He's been setting hard edges as a run defender. Harrell's work as a three-down defender has earned Dennard Wilson's trust. Harrell has played 25-plus snaps in every Titans contest since the bye. Pro Football Focus has credited him with eight run stops and one missed tackle in 2025.
The Titans will search for game-changing solutions at EDGE this offseason. Veterans Arden Key and Jihad Ward are pending free agents and may not return to Nashville in 2026. Harrell isn't an every-down star, but he's certainly playing like someone who could inherit the rotational role from Key or Ward.
Harrell has been writing a heartwarming script while flipping the narrative. The 2023 National Championship winner has developed into a keynote contributor for Wilson's defense. Harrell will be worth evaluating in Weeks 17 and 18 before the Titans enter a crucial offseason.