Why the Titans pass rush struggles are no surprise entering Week 3

The Tennessee Titans had a concerning lack of pass-rushing depth heading into the new season. The team lost 2023 sack leader Denico Autry to free agency and did little to replace him, opting to promote Arden Key from rotational rusher to full-time starter. Fast forward to two completed weeks of the 2024 campaign and those preseason concerns have proven to be accurate.

There are several numbers and advanced metrics that already capture the Titans' struggle to consistently get after quarterbacks. They rank 25 of 32 in Pro Football Focus' team-focused pass-rushing grades with a below-average 60.2. Dennard Wilson's defense has produced just four sacks through two contests. Their pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR) sits at a 22nd-ranked 38%, per ESPN Stats & Info.

One-Man Show

And the majority of their pass-rushing production has come from Harold Landry III, the lone standout on the defensive line thus far. Landry has recorded three of Tennessee's four sacks. Sebastian Joseph-Day got the team's only other sack. It occurred against Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams in Week 1 after a Keondre Coburn pressure led to a 19-yard loss. A more experienced quarterback may have avoided such a blunder.

Landry has accumulated six of the defense's 19 total pressures. No other defender has more than two, with rookie lineman T'Vondre Sweat, safety Amani Hooker, and Joseph-Day at two apiece. Tennessee's other defensive lineman aren't applying consistent pressure.

Jeffery Simmons' impact

Most of the criticism for Tennessee's lack of pass-rushing production will be geared towards superstar defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. After all, he's carrying the team's second-largest cap hit this season, per OverTheCap. He's also their lowest-graded pass rusher through two weeks. Simmons has accumulated zero pressures or sacks, according to PFF, and he's sporting a 53.5 grade in that department as a result.

The numbers are undeniably disappointing, but don't tell the complete story. Two of Landry's three sacks have been a direct result of Simmons taking up multiple blocks, as noted by Justin Graver on social media. Landry has never been an elite one-versus-one winner, but he's a great finisher, and is benefiting from Simmons' ability to occupy multiply offensive lineman, as well the new- look secondary's ability to cover for extended periods of time.

If you go beyond box-score scouting, Simmons is still doing stuff like this.

Landry's "fastest sack" in the Week 2 defeat to the New York Jets took 4.2 seconds, per Next Gen Stats, which is literally an eternity in an NFL pocket. On this rep in particular, Aaron Rodgers' pocket was incredibly clean. He misses the big-time play, but if the Titans keep providing quarterbacks with clean opportunities, they'll start to produce explosive passing gains.

Where is Arden Key?

Titans fans were disappointed when it was reported that Key was facing a six-game suspension. The reaction when Key's suspension was overturned was filled with jubilation. Through two completed contests, his impact has been so nonexistent that you'd assume the suspension was upheld.

Key's recorded one total pressure in two showings. His pass-rushing grades on PFF have been 65.5 (generous) and 55.1. And unlike Simmons and Landry, he's not productive when he's failing to impact the quarterback because he doesn't defend the run at a high level, drop in coverage effectively (like Landry does), or occupy multiple blockers.

Tennessee's defense has been shockingly productive considering they're not generating pressure, and they're yet to create their first turnover. Despite that, they rank first in yards allowed at 206.5 per game, and have only forfeited three offensive touchdowns in two games. Something's gotta give, though. Continuing those sort of defensive efforts without generating pressure or turnovers isn't realistic.

The Titans desperately need a legitimate pass-rushing threat to emerge. Getting Simmons going is a must. Until then, Landry's second-effort cleanups are what they're hanging their hat on. And it's precisely why a pass rusher will continue being a popular 2025 NFL Mock Draft selection.