The Tennessee Titans hired Robert Saleh to be their new head coach, and everyone knew the bar was going to be raised for the standards of this defense. Saleh's defenses are fast and violent, which meant the Titans were going to bring in more players to supplement the foundational pieces they already had.
When you discuss the additions GM Mike Borgonzi made this offseason, people remember the defensive backfield where they added Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott. At linebacker, he bolstered the group with second-round playmaker Anthony Hill Jr., who shined in the preseason. Then at EDGE, they traded for Jermaine Johnson, drafted Keldric Faulk, and signed Jacob Martin.
What people tend to forget is the massive addition of defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers. Even when people are reminded, it is hard to grasp just how big an addition he will be for the Titans' front because fans haven't had a chance to see him yet.
John Franklin-Myers is Tennessee Titans' most underrated player in 2026
Franklin-Myers earned a massive contract with the Titans, and rightfully so. Franklin-Myers had some of his best years with Saleh when the New York Jets were one of the most feared defenses in the NFL. Reuniting him with Saleh potentially gives them an elite player, but if not, his proven dominance and his familiarity with the coaching staff mean this move has a very high floor.
Franklin-Myers is an impressive run defender, and he gives the team position flexibility, but that isn't what made him such an expensive free agent. The reason he got such a massive contract is because of what he and Jeffery Simmons are going to do to opposing quarterbacks this season. The star defensive tackles have been two of the most dominant players in the NFL when it comes to terrorizing quarterbacks, as proven by their pressure rates below.
John Franklin-Myers posted the 4th-highest pressure rate among defensive tackles from 2024-2025 (11.8%, min. 500 pass rushes).
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) March 9, 2026
Franklin-Myers' 7.5 sacks in 2025 were the 3rd most at the position.@Titans | #TitanUp https://t.co/DFp6zJ9R84 pic.twitter.com/Nh7Q6a1hno
Because he didn't play in any preseason games, Franklin-Myers hasn't been on the field like the other Titans starters. However, there is an obvious argument to make that he (and Johnson) needed the least amount of preseason reps because of their experience with Saleh and defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton.
When the Jets come to Nashville for Week 1, they bring a strong young tandem of offensive tackles, but they won't have anything to do with Simmons or Franklin-Myers. Instead, that responsibility will fall to starting guards Dylan Parham and Joe Tippmann.
Those were two of the least impressive pass-blocking guards in the NFL last year, according to PFF, and the duo allowed six sacks each last season, which was tied for second-worst (58th out of 61) among qualifying guards.
If NFL fans (and teams) are sleeping on the Titans' interior tackle tandem, then the Jets matchup is a prime opportunity to give them a rude awakening and remind everyone exactly what they have been building in Tennessee.
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