The Tennessee Titans are rebuilding their defensive line in new head coach Robert Saleh's vision. Their activity during this offseason's player acquisition cycle strongly backs that statement. The Titans have acquired five different defensive lineman, and all of them have played for Saleh in their past.
They traded for Solomon Thomas and Jermaine Johnson II. Jordan Elliott and Jacob Martin were low-cost signings in free agency. John Franklin-Myers was the big prized possession, signing a three-year, $63 million contract.
The Titans have revamped the defensive line. Doing so places pressure on sophomore EDGE rusher Femi Oladejo. Oladejo will enter training camp needing to earn reps and prove he deserves a highlighted role.
Titans put Femi Oladejo on notice with offseason movement
Coach Saleh recently confirmed Franklin-Myers could play an early-down role on the EDGE. That would leave Johnson, Martin, Oladejo, and Jaylen Harrell competing for reps on the opposite side. That's already a crowded room, and does not account for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Oladejo was a somewhat controversial draft pick by Mike Borgonzi at 52nd overall last offseason. A raw product out of UCLA who made the position switch to EDGE from linebacker, it was evident on tape that Oladejo was still undergoing a transition. Despite that, the Titans placed some responsibility on his plate right away.
Oladejo earned just 241 snaps before suffering a season-ending leg injury midway through the season. He registered zero sacks and had just seven pressures. Oladejo was often fooled by misdirection and struggled to read and react to NFL action in a timely fashion.
Borgonzi and Saleh have consistently floated Oladejo's name when discussing their defensive line. Hopefully the sophomore edge rusher will take a sizable step forward under the tutelage of the defensive-minded Saleh. A massive sophomore season looms.