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The Tennessee Titans finished in the bottom half of the league in various defensive categories in 2025, but expectations are much higher heading into the 2026 season. After an offseason filled with key additions and a coaching staff led by defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh, one NFL analyst believes Tennessee is primed to make one of the biggest defensive turnarounds in football.
The Athletic's Ted Nguyen listed the Titans among his five teams he expects to break out on defense this season.
Considering the talent the Titans have assembled, it's easy to understand why optimism is growing. While the offense will receive plenty of attention with Cam Ward entering his second season, the defense could become the team's biggest strength.
Led by 2025 first-team All-Pro Jeffery Simmons, the Titans' defensive line looks to be among the most feared units in the NFL. This offseason, Tennessee finally gave him another proven playmaker by signing defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers, who is coming off a productive campaign as both a pass rusher and run defender for the Denver Broncos team that ranked in the top seven in every major defensive category last season (total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, points against).
The Titans also added even more upside on the edge with former first-round pick Jermaine Johnson reuniting with Saleh after playing under him with the New York Jets. Johnson also gives the Titans a defender who is already familiar with the scheme. The Titans then selected Keldric Faulk in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding another explosive athlete with the potential to become an impact pass rusher.
While Johnson and Faulk still have to prove they can consistently produce, their athleticism, combined with Simmons and Franklin-Myers, gives Tennessee one of its deepest defensive fronts in years. If that group consistently wins at the line of scrimmage, it will make life much easier for everyone behind them.
Speaking of everyone behind the defensive line, the Titans matched their other additions with Saleh's defensive scheme. Saleh's defenses have always been built around generating pressure with the front four while allowing the secondary to capitalize on hurried throws.
Linebacker Cedric Gray is expected to take another leap after ranking in the top five in total tackles in his sophomore season last year. They also drafted Anthony Hill Jr. to compete with the other starter, Cody Barton.
In the secondary, Tennessee added Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott to take over the starting positions at cornerback. Neither player is viewed as an elite shutdown corner, but they may not have to be if the defensive line consistently collapses the pocket. They also expect a second-year jump from safety Kevin Winston Jr. alongside returning starter Amani Hooker.
That's the formula that helped Saleh build elite defenses in previous stops, and there is a belief that it will work in Tennessee as well.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans predicted to make massive defensive leap under Robert Saleh
Continue reading...
The Athletic's Ted Nguyen listed the Titans among his five teams he expects to break out on defense this season.
Considering the talent the Titans have assembled, it's easy to understand why optimism is growing. While the offense will receive plenty of attention with Cam Ward entering his second season, the defense could become the team's biggest strength.
Defensive line has the potential to dominate
Led by 2025 first-team All-Pro Jeffery Simmons, the Titans' defensive line looks to be among the most feared units in the NFL. This offseason, Tennessee finally gave him another proven playmaker by signing defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers, who is coming off a productive campaign as both a pass rusher and run defender for the Denver Broncos team that ranked in the top seven in every major defensive category last season (total yards, passing yards, rushing yards, points against).
The Titans also added even more upside on the edge with former first-round pick Jermaine Johnson reuniting with Saleh after playing under him with the New York Jets. Johnson also gives the Titans a defender who is already familiar with the scheme. The Titans then selected Keldric Faulk in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, adding another explosive athlete with the potential to become an impact pass rusher.
While Johnson and Faulk still have to prove they can consistently produce, their athleticism, combined with Simmons and Franklin-Myers, gives Tennessee one of its deepest defensive fronts in years. If that group consistently wins at the line of scrimmage, it will make life much easier for everyone behind them.
Saleh's scheme fits Tennessee's new personnel
Speaking of everyone behind the defensive line, the Titans matched their other additions with Saleh's defensive scheme. Saleh's defenses have always been built around generating pressure with the front four while allowing the secondary to capitalize on hurried throws.
Linebacker Cedric Gray is expected to take another leap after ranking in the top five in total tackles in his sophomore season last year. They also drafted Anthony Hill Jr. to compete with the other starter, Cody Barton.
In the secondary, Tennessee added Alontae Taylor and Cor'Dale Flott to take over the starting positions at cornerback. Neither player is viewed as an elite shutdown corner, but they may not have to be if the defensive line consistently collapses the pocket. They also expect a second-year jump from safety Kevin Winston Jr. alongside returning starter Amani Hooker.
That's the formula that helped Saleh build elite defenses in previous stops, and there is a belief that it will work in Tennessee as well.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Titans predicted to make massive defensive leap under Robert Saleh
Continue reading...
