The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Tennessee Titans and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 Tennessee Titans Defense
The Titans gave up a lot of rushing yards last season thanks to game script, but they were a more middle of the pack run defense overall. They finished 17th in yards per carry allowed per running back run, 12th in success rate against RB runs, and fourth in stuff rate.
Second-round rookie T’Vondre Sweat was a massive hit for the previous front office, and Jeffery Simmons continues to be an above-average option along the defensive line. Sebastian Joseph–Day returns, but the depth behind that top three is questionable.
The Titans did not get pressure in 2024, finishing 29th in pressure rate and 22nd in sack rate. They cut Harold Landry and brought in both Dre’Mont Jones and Lorenzo Carter in free agency. They also added Femi Oladejo in the second round.
Earlier in his career, Jones would have fit in better with the defensive line group, but he played more as a pure edge last season with the Seahawks. He finished 32nd among qualified pass rushers in pressure rate in that role despite getting just 4 sacks, so maybe there is room for growth even though Jones is now entering his seventh season in the league.
Linebacker was not a strength for the Titans last season, with Kenneth Murray struggling across over 800 snaps and no one else stepping up around him despite a couple of notable trades to shuffle the deck. Murray, Ernest Jones (traded midseason), Jerome Baker (acquired midseason), Jack Gibbens, and Luke Gifford are now gone.
Tennessee’s major offseason acquisition at linebacker was Cody Barton, who is joining his third team in as many seasons. He is a solid linebacker who will stand up well against the run and post impressive tackle numbers, but he is more of a replacement level player.
The secondary was not helped by their pass rush, but Tennessee still finished seventh in yards per attempt allowed in 2024. They were 18th in EPA per pass.
The Titans moved on from Chidobe Awuzie, but the rest of the primary options are back. That includes L’Jarius Sneed, who was limited to just five games in his first season with the team.
Roger McCreary has developed into a solid option in the slot, but he is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Jarvis Brownlee (2024 fifth-round pick) and Darrell Baker Jr. were fine in larger than expected roles last season.
At safety, the Titans brought in Xavier Woods from the Panthers to play opposite Amani Hooker, and they added Kevin Winston Jr. in the third round of the draft. Woods is not coming off his best season, but he is an established starter who has played good football in the recent past.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
Order Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview to get defensive analysis for all 32 NFL teams.
Warren Sharp’s 550+ page full-color PDF, the 2025 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have previously read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought process abounds in every team chapter and article.
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Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2025 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2025 games
- Coaching strategic advice for teams, play calling analysis & team tendencies
- Front Office Analysis positional spending, roster construction & cap analysis
- Reasons to bet over/under win totals & analysis of futures betting market
- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
