Titans Film Room: Rookie OT Jaelyn Duncan Impresses in Week 11 Against Jaguars
The Tennessee Titans came into the season with a glaring weakness on the offensive line and that has only been exacerbated throughout the season as injuries to Andre Dillard, Nicholas Petit-Frere and now Chris Hubbard have hit the offensive tackle group.
Through those injuries we have seen Dillon Radunz get an opportunity at offensive tackle, with mixed results of course, but in Week 11 we finally got to see rookie Jaelyn Duncan see extended action. It was rather impressive considering the circumstances.
Duncan was drafted out of Maryland and was expected to go in the top 100 picks of last April's NFL draft, but fell all the way to the sixth round where the Titans eventually nabbed him. Duncan was considered to be a freak athlete, but needed a lot of development.
Duncan's plan likely did not include getting major reps this year, but it may be better for the Titans if the plan changes. Against Jacksonville in Week 11, Duncan played 25 snaps and did a respectable job.
Duncan allowed zero pressures and zero sacks. He was the second-highest graded Titans offensive lineman in pass protection per Pro Football Focus. For a team that has struggled to protect at offensive tackle all year, that has to inspire some hope.
Duncan uses great athleticism and strong hands to win in pass protection and even showed some examples of winning mentally as well by adjusting to stunts and twists or showing an understanding of his assignment.
Duncan's raw power can be useful in run blocking as well, but he was not as impressive here. Duncan is better at the moment when he is sliding backwards, not driving forwards. He has a tendency to get a little off balance by leaning forward.
The reality is, Duncan was never expected to play this season and was always seen as a smart development option. If what we saw against Jacksonville continues, Duncan's development may have gone quicker than anyone expected.
Dillard, who is set to return from a concussion this week, is the more likely option to go back in at left tackle, but if he struggles, Duncan should enter the game pretty quickly. If Dillard is the better player, it can't be by much and Duncan presents a lot more long-term upside.
Titans-Jaguars Related Stories
- BACK TO DILLARD AT LT: The Tennessee Titans suffered another injury on their offseason with right tackle Chris Hubbard expected to be out for the rest of the season and that forced the Titans to reshuffle the starting unit again. This time, with Andre Dillard sliding back in at left tackle. CLICK HERE
- CHRIS HUBBARD INJURY: The Tennessee Titans offensive line has been a major weakness all season, but it just got worse. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, starting right tackle Chris Hubbard will be out the rest of the season with a biceps injury. CLICK HERE
- VRABEL CALLS JAGS BETTER TEAM: The Tennessee Titans took an embarrassing loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday and it seems head coach Mike Vrabel decided to state the obvious on Monday, admitting the Jaguars are the better team with better coaching. CLICK HERE
- TITANS LOSE 34-14: The Tennessee Titans continue to look like one of the worst teams in the NFL each week with their most recent letdown coming in a 20-point loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. CLICK HERE
