The Tennessee Titans
locker room is filled with an aura of hope ahead of the 2026 NFL season. They have a new head coach in Robert Saleh, who is changing the culture of the team, and the players are buying into what he's selling. They have new coordinators, as well as other staffing changes, and, for the first time since Mike Vrabel was fired, it feels like things are moving in the right direction.One of the reasons this team is so excited is that the face of the franchise, Jeffery Simmons, is leading the charge on defense. He is joined by several new faces on the defensive line, but there is no question that he is the undeniable leader in the locker room. Simmons isn't just the best defensive player on the roster, but he also ranks No. 19 on ESPN's
Top 100 players list.
After a career-high 11 sacks last season, Simmons checked into camp saying he's in the best shape of his life. He is also primed to eclipse his sack total in new Titans coach Robert Saleh's defense, which emphasizes being an upfield penetrator. "Jeffery is arguably the best interior rusher in football," Saleh said. "Our job is to find ways to get him one-on-ones. The more of those we find, the more he can dominate." -- Turron Davenport
Signature stat: Simmons' 43 QB pressures was second among primary DTs in 2025, sitting behind the Chiefs' Chris Jones (45). And no player had more pass-rush wins against double-teams in 2025 than Simmons (24).
2026 projections: 80 tackles, 9 sacks, 3 FFs, 2 PDs
In 2025, Simmons was ranked 65th in the top 100. During the 2025 season, Simmons recorded 67 tackles (39 solo), 11 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, 17 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles, three passes defensed, and 13 stuffs. He's also credited with a safety. Combine his stats with his overall disruptive play on the field, and that's why he jumped from the 65th to the 19th-ranked player in the NFL.
If there was ever a question as to why the Titans extended Simmons through 2031, that question should be laid to rest. Honestly, there shouldn't have been questions in the first place. Simmons isn't just a fantastic football player, but he's a genuinely decent human being. He's the kind of guy you want in your locker room, and you definitely want him on your side in a game.
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Where is Titans' Jeffery Simmons on ESPN's top 100 list?
