The Tennessee Titans came into this season with one position group drawing more confidence than any other: defensive tackle. And while the team’s overall performance has had its ups and downs, that interior defensive line is delivering exactly what was expected-and then some.
Jeffery Simmons: Dominant, Even in Limited Action
Jeffery Simmons has been the anchor of this Titans defense, and his production speaks for itself. Even after missing three games, Simmons leads all NFL defensive tackles in sacks with eight.
That’s not just impressive-it’s elite-level disruption from the interior. Project his numbers over a full season, and you're looking at a 12.5-sack pace, with 19 tackles for loss and nearly 30 quarterback hits.
That’s All-Pro territory, plain and simple.
Simmons isn’t just racking up stats-he’s dictating the terms of engagement in the trenches. Offensive lines are having to account for him on every snap, and even then, he’s still winning those matchups more often than not. His mix of power, quickness, and technique is rare, and it’s showing up on film every week.
T'Vondre Sweat: The Unsung Enforcer
While Simmons is drawing headlines, T'Vondre Sweat is doing the kind of work that doesn’t always show up in the box score but is absolutely essential to the Titans’ defensive success. Currently ranked as PFF’s sixth-best defensive tackle (Simmons sits at No. 2), Sweat is earning that recognition by being a space-eater with purpose.
He’s routinely absorbing double teams and holding his ground, which might not make for viral highlights, but it’s the kind of dirty work that allows the rest of the defense to function at a higher level. That impact is perhaps most clearly seen in the breakout season of linebacker Cedric Gray.
Cedric Gray: Benefitting from the Big Men Up Front
Gray is on pace for over 160 tackles this year, and a big reason why is the work being done in front of him. With Sweat and Simmons occupying blockers and disrupting run lanes, Gray is getting clean looks at ball carriers.
He’s diagnosing plays quickly and finishing with authority. That kind of production at the second level doesn’t happen without a dominant interior, and right now, the Titans have just that.
Looking Ahead: Building Around the Core
The Titans’ season is nearing its end, and while the record may not reflect it, there are foundational pieces in place-especially on the defensive side of the ball. Simmons and Sweat have formed one of the most formidable interior duos in the league, and with promising young talent like Gray thriving behind them, there’s a clear identity forming on defense.
As the front office and incoming coaching staff begin to shape the next phase of this team, knowing which players can be counted on is crucial. Simmons and Sweat aren’t just dependable-they’re difference-makers. Add in some young, under-the-radar contributors from the 2025 draft class, and you’ve got the makings of a defense that can be built into something special.
Now, the next step is adding playmakers-edge rushers, ball-hawking safeties, maybe a versatile corner-to give this defense even more bite. Do that, and suddenly you’re not just talking about a solid unit; you’re talking about a group that can carry games.
And that’s exactly what the Titans need if they want to ease the pressure on Cam Ward and the offense moving forward. With Simmons and Sweat setting the tone up front, the path to a tougher, faster, more dangerous defense is already underway.