Titans EDGE Arden Key Could Be Denico Autry's Future Replacement

The Tennessee Titans brought in edge rusher Arden Key in free agency and while the two will share the field this year, Key could be a long-term solution to replace Denico Autry on defense.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans' pass rush is the key to the entire team. The Titans are clearly a defense-first ball club and that defense is pass-rush first. One of the major keys to that pass rush group over the last two season has been the versatile veteran Denico Autry. 

Autry is getting older though. Last season, Autry still put up great numbers with eight sacks, but he only played in 12 games and left a few early. Sometimes it is availability, not production that is impacted by age the most. Autry is set to turn 33 this month.

The Titans need a contingency plan for one of their most important pass rushers and they may have found it in free agency this offseason with Arden Key. Key was brought over from the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year deal worth $21 million. 

Key offers pass rush assistance, but the details are where you can see how Key could fit the Autry role going forward. It is not just that Key is an affective pass rusher, sacking the quarterback 11 times combined in the past two seasons, but that he can rush from the edge or on the interior. A versatility that Autry displays every week.

In 2022, Key rushed from an alignment inside the two offensive tackles on 167 of his 307 pass rush snaps. For comparison, Autry lined up from an interior alignment on 176 of his 388 pass rush snaps last season. 

Both players have the size, strength and agility to beat you with a power move on the edge, but also slide down into the interior and out-quick a plodding guard. Not only can both win in isolated situations, but both players can work off teammates to execute stunts.

The Titans should be excited that they get to use both together in 2023 with Autry on the last year of his deal, but if the Titans decide to move on from Autry after his contract expires next offseason, Key could be a plug-and-play option to fill the role that Autry plays for this defense currently.

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