While the Tennessee Titans’ defense has been lackluster in each of the past two games, a pair of defenders from the team recently made Pro Football Focus’ list of the top-50 linemen in the NFL after four weeks.
In an interesting twist, Pro Football Focus combined both offensive and defensive linemen to make up their list — and on it are Jadeveon Clowney (No. 40) and Jeffery Simmons (No. 46). No offensive linemen from Tennessee made the cut, though.
Here’s what PFF had to say about Clowney, who has compiled an overall PFF grade of 72.9.
Why he’s ranked here: Clowney has been more disruptive for his new team than the zero sacks he has recorded this season would suggest. His 13.3% pressure rate is a top-20 mark among edge defenders with at least 50 pass-rushing snaps, and he has been a force in the run game. That’s an area in which he has excelled throughout his career, even if he has never quite lived up to expectations as a pass-rusher.
Now, here’s a look at what PFF said about Simmons, who has been the team’s best defender through three games and has compiled an impressive overall grade of 89.5.
Why he’s ranked here: Simmons had a solid showing as a rookie last season after starting the year sidelined with injury, and now it looks as if he is on the verge of breaking out. He recorded a career-high seven pressures in his last game — a Week 3 contest with the Vikings — and has one of the higher grades at the interior defender position this season.
Former Titans right tackle Jack Conklin, who is now playing for the Cleveland Browns, made the list also, coming in at No. 32. He has posted an overall grade of 85.8 after four games.
The Titans are hoping to return to game action on Tuesday night against the Buffalo Bills after last week’s game was postponed, although they might have to do it without one of the players who made PFF’s list, as Simmons is currently on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
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