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 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 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 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.