Tennessee Titans Remaining Edge Rushers After Expected Release of Bud Dupree

The Tennessee Titans are expected to part ways with edge rusher Bud Dupree when the league year starts in a week, which will require a lot of the players left at edge rusher on the Titans’ roster.

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans never got to see a fully healthy Bud Dupree and Harold Landry. In 2021, Dupree missed six games and left a few early as he tried to get back from an ACL tear in 2020. In 2022, Harold Landry tore his ACL prior to the season starting and the injury ruined a chance to see the two together. Now, with the news of Dupree’s impending release, it appears 2023 will not see Dupree and Landry together either.

Hopefully, the Titans can get Landry back on the field at full strength in 2023, but the performance of the person across from him on the edge will be what is most important. As the Titans head into March and April they will be in roster-crafting mode. To know where they need to go at edge rusher, they must first examine what remains at edge rusher on the roster currently.

Under Contract

Harold Landry - $18.8 Million Cap Hit

Coming off the ACL injury Landry is going to be under more pressure than ever before. With no Dupree, Landry will be not only the highest-paid edge rusher, but will be one of the highest paid players on the team. It’ll be key to the Titans’ overall success that Landry perform up to his standards and up to his contract. When healthy, he certainly is capable.

In 2021, Landry had a career year. He delivered 75 tackles and 12 sacks. It earned him a five-year contract worth over $80 million. Not only did he deliver in the box score, but Landry’s versatility unlocked the Titans’ multiple defense. Landry has the ability to put his hand in the dirt and rush or stand up at a linebacker spot. Allowing a smooth transition between a five-man and four-man front. That’s the level of player the Titans will need when Landry returns.

Rashad Weaver - $1.1 Million Cap Hit

With Landry out with injury the entire season, Weaver got a major opportunity in 2022. He provided mixed results. You saw flashes of a relentless rusher that led to 5.5 sacks. We saw flashes of a physical run defender that led to seven tackles for loss. At the end of it all though, we didn’t see enough of those flashes. Weaver can lack discipline in his rush leading to open lanes for mobile quarterbacks and lose contain on the edge on run plays. Weaver is heading into the fourth year of his career and is still developing, but he has a shot to be a starting edge this year and the Titans hope he can meet the moment.

Sam Okuayinonu - $870k Cap Hit

Okuayinonu joined the Titans’ organization as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland and was able to play in six games in 2022. Okuayinonu got on the field due to the massive amount of injuries the Titans experienced, but did well with his limited opportunities. Okuayinonu only put up 11 tackles and a half sack, but considering the low expectations it was an encouraging return. Make no mistake though, Okuayinonu is fighting for a spot on the roster once camp begins. It will be an uphill battle for him to stick on the team in 2023.

The Titans are likely to add to this group in the NFL Draft and free agency. Having a third edge to rotate with Landry and Weaver should be the goal, but if Weaver can take a bit of a leap and Landry is fully healthy, the Titans should still be in a good spot at edge rusher.

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