Defensive Line
Jeffery Simmons has been the main star on this defensive line, and for good reason. He’s consistently plugging holes in the run game, and he’s probably the best pass rusher on this Titans defense. In short terms, he’s done it all for the Titans this season. This defense will continue to need Simmons at his best, considering the inconsistency that’s currently plaguing this Titans edge group.
DaQuan Jones has once again settled into his run stopping role from the interior of the defensive line, although he hasn’t provided much in the way of a pass rush like Simmons does.
Jack Crawford and Larrell Murchison have both firmly grasped the available backup snaps in this interior defensive lone group, and have been fine for the most part.
Grade: B+
Linebackers
Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown both had rough starts to the year, but they’ve picked up their play in the last couple of weeks or so. Evans in particular had it rough, since he looked a little slow to react to plays too many times while he was on the field.
Brown had a nice game against Pittsburgh, and he followed that up with a good performance against Chicago, a game in which he even forced a fumble. One note though, David Long has yet to really get the snaps we were expecting him to get after his wonderful end to the 2019 season, something to watch down the stretch and potentially into next season.
Jadeveon Clowney and Harold Landry have both been more on the disappointing side this year, specifically Clowney. He hasn’t really made a ton of splash plays as a pass rusher, but his quick twitch and athleticism has still aided in providing some big plays in the run game.
Derick Roberson finally got his first true shot this season this past Sunday, and he looked like the best edge rusher on the Titans’ defense. He’ll be counted on moving forward, since Vic Beasley is gone and Clowney is dealing with a nagging knee injury.
Grade: C-
Corners
The Titans’ corners have been bad, there’s no other way to put it.
But if there’s a silver lining in all this, it’s that Malcolm Butler has really rebounded over the last 4 weeks. He’s been physical, and more importantly, he’s just been playing some really smart football.
Kristian Fulton hasn’t exactly been the best of options at corner, but I think that’s due to him playing in the slot, which isn’t his natural position. Chris Jackson has improved ever since his week 1 struggles in Denver, and should be a reliable depth piece in the secondary as we start the 2nd half of the season.
Tye Smith has gotten some reps too, but they haven’t been good reps for the most part. It’s why he’s CB5 in this Titans secondary, and it needs to stay that way.
If Adoree Jackson can come back healthy and ready to go, then I think this secondary will improve greatly if all goes well.
Grade: D
Safeties
It’s been a down year for the Titans’ starting safety duo that consists of Kevin Byard and Kenny Vaccaro. Byard hasn’t lived up to his usual All Pro status, which is something none of us truly expected.
Vaccaro didn’t have a great start to the year, but just like Malcolm Butler, he’s rebounded in a nice way.
Amani Hooker has stuck with his 3rd safety role, and has been just fine.
Grade: C-
Special Teams
Brett Kern continues to be a weapon for the Titans in terms of winning the field position battle, but I’m sure the Titans would rather keep him on the sidelines as much as possible.
Stephen Gostkowski has been up and down this year.
He’s gone 11/18 on field goals, with him having the most trouble with kicks inside 40 yards, which is weird these days for kickers. However, in spite of the troubles, Vrabel has stuck with him and will continue to stick with him until Gostkowsi’s wheels fall off.
I don’t know if that’s a good thing for the Titans, but we’ll see.
Grade: C-