The Tennessee Titans are going to look a lot different upfront in 2024 after the team parted ways with two members of their defensive line who had been staples in recent years.
The Titans waived nose tackle Teair Tart during the 2023 campaign after he had issues with the team, and then they lost defensive end Denico Autry in free agency to the Houston Texans.
The loss of Autry was particularly tough for a few reasons. He was the team’s most consistent pass-rusher, the Titans didn’t adequately replace him, and he joined a division rival.
The Titans do still have Jeffery Simmons, of course, but the players set to start next next to him, second-round pick T’Vondre Sweat and free-agent acquisition Sebastian Joseph-Day, are question marks, as we simply don’t know how effective they will be in starting roles.
Adding to that, the Titans’ depth options are shaky, at best, making the defensive line one of the biggest concerns on the team going into the 2024 campaign.
So, how will things shake out on the initial 53-man roster? Here’s our prediction.
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Big Jeff is the only sure thing along the defensive line, but he won’t reach his ceiling in 2024 if offenses are able to key in on him on every down. His starting mates must step up and take some pressure off.
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Sweat has the tools to be an absolute menace upfront, which would help free Simmons up. However, we simply don’t know what to expect from him in Year 1, especially after he missed spring practices due to injury.
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Joseph-Day didn’t live up to his last contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, but there’s hope he can rebound in Tennessee.
The best season of SJD’s career came while playing next to Aaron Donald with the Los Angeles Rams. While Big Jeff isn’t quite Donald, he is about as close as you’re going to get.
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The Titans picked Davidson up off the scrap heap in 2023 before bringing him back in 2024. Davidson flashed over five games and should be considered one of the favorites to grab a roster spot behind Simmons, Sweat and Joseph-Day.
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McLendon was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and did not see the field until Week 10. He showed potential as a backup and should get more chances to prove himself in 2024.
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While I’m fairly confident in McLendon and Davidson making the roster, the same cannot be said for Bohanna. However, he has a better shot than most of the other options due to his experience.
