The Tennessee Titans signed outside linebacker Bud Dupree this offseason in the hopes that he could help improve a pass-rush that finished with the third-fewest sacks in the NFL last season.
While there have been some doubts about Dupree’s past production — there are some out there who believe it is more a result of a great supporting cast than his actual talent — the numbers back up how disruptive he has been.
According to NFL.com’s Nick Shook, Next Gen Stats shows that Dupree was one of the most disruptive pass-rushers in the league last year, as he ranked fifth in disruption rate in 2020 (15.7 percent).
Shook also points out that Dupree’s former teammate, T.J. Watt, wasn’t as successful of a disruptor after the Kentucky product’s season ended early due to a torn ACL.
Disruption rate: 15.7%
Sack rate: 2.5%
Total disruptions: 50
Sacks: 8
Dupree and T.J. Watt were the league’s top two players in average pass-rush get-off (0.72 seconds), so it’s no surprise to see these 2020 teammates on the list. Dupree’s season came to an end in Week 12 due to an ACL tear, but his absence only further illustrated his value off the edge. In the 12 games Dupree played in, Watt recorded a 19 percent pressure rate. With Dupree out, Watt’s pressure rate fell to less than 10 percent, underscoring Dupree’s importance to the defense. As for the numbers Dupree recorded prior to his injury, they were still darn good, and they go beyond the realm of pass rushing. He logged the second-most hustle stops — tackles where the player covers 20-plus yards of in-play distance from snap to tackle — in the entire league among players with at least 250 pass-rush snaps (6), proving Dupree is more than just a pass rusher. Provided he returns fully healthy in 2021, the Titans will be glad he’s now on their side after signing him to a five-year deal this offseason.
Clearly Dupree wasn’t just taking advantage of the help around him during his time in Pittsburgh. Instead, he actually created opportunities for his teammates to get to the quarterback.
The term “disruptor” is almost a curse word after it was thrown around to justify Jadeveon Clowney’s lack of elite sack production upon his signing with the Titans, so fans are obviously wary about this label.
However, Dupree not only has the goods to back that label up, he has also been a bit more consistent than Clowney was before arriving in Nashville.
When asked about the doubts about his past production, Dupree was adamant that what he accomplished during his time in Pittsburgh was more than just taking advantage of those around him.
“Just turn on the tape. You see the 1-on-1s. If I get a 1-on-1, I win. (If I get chipped), I win. In the run game, no outside linebacker can play the run like me, in the league,” Dupree said confidently. “So I don’t know where people get that from. You can’t get mad because I’ve got other great players on the team. It’s just anywhere you go, there are always going to be excuses why people do this and why people do that.
“But if you turn the tape on and you see me hit a running back three yards behind the line of scrimmage, how can you say that’s because of someone else? Or if I win (on the pass rush) in one second, how can you say that’s because of someone else?”
Now Dupree can point to more than just the tape.