Titans’ Arden Key among NFL’s best pass-rushers in Week 1

Titans OLB Arden Key was one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL in Week 1.

Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Arden Key was one of the bright spots in Sunday’s deflating 16-15 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

Key was a menace throughout this one, and especially in the first half, where he racked up 1.5 sacks and tallied several pressures. Saints left tackle Trevor Penning simply couldn’t handle Key’s speed and explosiveness off the edge.

Key was also robbed of what should’ve been another sack and turnover that would have led to a Titans defensive touchdown when he knocked the ball loose from Derek Carr in the second quarter.

Unfortunately, the referees ruled it an incomplete pass while also blowing the play dead, which ended any hope for a touchdown. It was then challenged and sent to the booth, where it was shockingly not overturned.

But let’s get back to Key.

As if his day wasn’t impressive enough, the LSU product finished the week tied for the highest pass-rush win rate among edge rushers, per Next Gen Stats, via ESPN’s Seth Walder.

This isn’t some fluke, either.

The LSU product finished the 2022 season with the third-highest win rate (23.2 percent) among pass-rushers who only rushed the quarterback on a limited basis (fewer than 170 pass-rushes).

For reference, a player needs at least 170 pass-rushes along the edge to qualify for the PRWR leaderboard at the position.

Had the former Jaguars edge-rusher played enough pass-rush snaps and still finished with that percentage, it would have been tied for sixth in the NFL.

Key also finished tied for tops in the NFL with his eight pressures, and teammate and defensive lineman Denico Autry was right there with seven.

It’s become rather evident that Key is going to make a huge impact on a Titans defense that has no shortage of game-changing players on it.

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