The Tennessee Titans defense has been better than advertised lately. They held the Houston Texans to 16 points in a Week 11 loss. They routinely made Justin Herbert uncomfortable and scored a pick-six return touchdown in a 27-20 Week 9 defeat to the Los Angeles Chargers.
A stale, ineffective offense has been the Titans’ bigger problem this season. That wasn’t necessarily the expectation heading into the 2025 campaign. Dennard Wilson has the defense playing lights-out. We analyzed three underrated
defenders who are a big reason why:
Jihad Ward, EDGE
Jihad Ward ranks second on the Titans in pressures (24), trailing just Jeffery Simmons (31), per Pro Football Focus. That’s extremely impressive considering Simmons has arguably played at an All-Pro level. Ward has twice as many pressures as the next Titans defender on the list (Arden Key, 12).
Ward has really emerged as a contributor. He’s registered 3.5 sacks and outplayed defenders with higher ceilings like Key and Femi Oladejo. Ward is on a one-year contract, and the Titans should seriously consider re-signing him.
Sebastian Joseph-Day, DT
Sebastian Joseph-Day was brought back by Mike Borgonzi this past offseason despite inheriting him from Ran Carthon. Like in 2024, he’s been a quality rotational defensive linemen who filled in like a starter when Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat were hurt. Joseph-Day is fourth on the team in pressures (10).
Joseph-Day was especially dominant versus the Chargers. PFF credited him with three pressures and an elite overall defensive grade of 89.7. Joseph-Day is also on a one-year contract and could influence Borgonzi to bring him back again.
James Lynch, DL
James Lynch is another underrated defender. Like Joseph-Day, he was re-signed by Borgonzi this past offseason despite being a Ran Carthon player. Lynch continues to do the dirty work as an early-down run defender.
Lynch registered four total pressures versus the Indianapolis Colts and Chargers in Weeks 8 and 9. Not only did Lynch help replace Simmons and Sweat, but he also earned snaps as a traditional EDGE after the team traded Dre’Mont Jones, when Key was still injured. He’s another high-floor player who contributes.
