Tennessee Titans 2020 Training Camp Preview: Edge Rushers

The Tennessee Titans need more from their edge rushers if they are going to make a playoff run in 2020. Getting constant pressure on the quarterback was a problem last season and has the potential to be once again. The Cameron Wake experiment didn’t quite work out how the Titans had envisioned, and his 2.5 sacks will no longer be with the team. The Titans made a big free agent move this offseason bringing in former Atlanta Falcons edge rusher Vic Beasley. If Beasley can put his offseason troubles behind him, he has the potential to be the Titans sack leader in 2020.

Titans edge rushers looking for more sacks in 2020

Harold Landry had a breakout year with the Titans in his second season as a pro. The Titans sack leader finished the year with nine sacks and 68 combined tackles. As good as Landry was last season, he started to wear down towards the end of the year. He only recorded one sack over his final seven games.

Beasley is expected to start opposite Landry as the Titans second edge rusher in 2020. Beasley recently failed his physical after not showing up for the beginning of training camp for unknown reasons. It’s unsure what the Titans plans are for Beasley off the field, but they know what their plans are for him on the field.

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Beasley has had a few bad seasons since recording 15.5 sacks in 2016 but started to look like his old self last season. He recorded eight sacks and 42 combined tackles for the Falcons in 2019. If Beasley can replicate that type of season with the Titans, he and Landry will be a force to be reckoned with in 2020.

Big opportunity coming for backup Titans edge rushers

Depth at edge rusher is a bit rocky for the Titans after releasing veteran Reggie Gilbert. This was a bit of a shock as it occurred after Beasley was placed on the NFI list. That leaves the Titans with Kamalei Correa, D’Andre Walker, and Derick Roberson as rotational pieces.

Correa started five games for the Titans last season and served as a great depth piece when Wake went down. He recorded five sacks and 37 combined tackles, both of those were career highs. Correa should see plenty of playing time as Beasley’s back up.

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Walker is a bit of a wild card for the Titans this year. He spent his entire rookie season on the IR, but coaches are excited about what they’ve seen from him when healthy. The Titans selected Walker in the fifth round in 2018. The release of Gilbert is a good sign for Walker and his development this offseason.

Roberson only played in three games for the Titans last season, but he contributed in such a big way. Injuries left the Titans looking for added depth at edge rusher, and Roberson is who they turned to. He played limited snaps but was able to record three much-needed sacks for the Titans over the last three games of the regular season.

Titans could be looking to add another edge rusher in free agency

The battle for playing time in this group will be between Roberson and Walker. Roberson was excellent in his limited action last season but is considered only a pass rusher at this point in his career. He struggles against the run but could improve and earn consistent playing time in 2020.

Walker will have a role on this defense, but to what extent remains to be seen. He’s shown great potential accumulating 7.5 sacks during his senior year at Georgia. If he can come in and impress coaches early in training camp, he could be in store for a much larger role than originally expected.

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The release of Gilbert could also be a sign that the Titans are looking to add another edge rusher via free agency. Jadeveon Clowney is still available, and he’s been continually linked to the Titans this offseason. Clowney played under head coach Mike Vrabel when they were both with the Houston Texans. He would be a real difference-maker for this defense, as he would turn one of the Titan’s biggest question marks into one of its biggest strengths.