The Tennessee Titans made the smart decision to trade veteran pass rusher Dre'Mont Jones to the Baltimore Ravens before the deadline last week.
Long-term, this is a good move that gives the front office more ammo to maneuver in the 2026 NFL Draft while they attempt to make some progress on the roster rebuild. However, trading Jones also means they will have to figure out how to generate pressure without their most consistent pass rusher.
Rookie pass rusher Femi Oladejo is still on IR. The Titans will be down two of their three best EDGEs, with Arden Key slated to return against the Houston Texans in Week 11 after missing more than a month so far this season.
Titans must redefine their pass-rushing approach following Dre'Mont Jones trade
Key and Jihard Ward will play significant snaps at EDGE versus the Titans. While the knee-jerk reaction might indicate Jaylen Harrell could receive more snaps, there is a better and more creative approach to the Titans' pass-rushing problem.
The Titans' best defensive linemen are Jeffery Simmons, T'Vondre Sweat, and Sebastian Joseph-Day; however, injuries have prevented us from seeing that trio on the field together this season. During the bye week, the Titans should have had plenty of time to realize that they need to start heavily favoring a defense that features three defensive linemen and one true EDGE.
Defenders like Joseph-Day and James Lynch can step in and play defensive end while the Titans try to get the most out of an EDGE rotation that features Key and Ward. Harrell isn't talented enough to see the field with regularity.
While that move should provide the defense with a better push on pass-rushing downs, that change isn't enough to help the Titans get to the quarterback. For that, they need to turn some of their young players loose.
This has been a breakout season for second-year linebacker Cedric Gray. Gray hasn't rushed the passer often, but when he does, he hits the line of scrimmage with physical intentions to make his presence felt. Similarly, rookie safety Kevin Winston Jr. hasn't been given many opportunities to get after the quarterback, but when they let him blitz, he has shown some flashes of a defensive back who is quick and violent enough to make plays.
Blitzing Gray or Winston behind a stouter defensive front would allow the defense to make things uncomfortable for opposing quarterbacks. Dennard Wilson and the rest of the defensive coaches need to realize that they might as well put their team in a position to make big plays.