The Interesting Case of Titans Undrafted Rookie TK McClendon

There's an old saying in the NFL that you can never have enough pass rushers, so for the Tennessee Titans, being able to add a talented yet raw rusher from the ranks of the undrafted free agent pool is worth paying attention to.

Bob Self/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

NASHVILLE - When assessing the Tennessee Titans defense entering the 2023 season, there are far fewer weaknesses and question marks than their offensive teammates.   

That doesn't mean that this unit couldn't stand to add more or upgrade the current talent available to them, and one area that many felt would be addressed defensively during the draft was adding another pass rusher. 

That addition did not materialize during the draft. Still, perhaps the Titans found help in the ranks of their undrafted free-agent acquisitions in the minutes following the three-day selection meetings.    

TK McClendon was a standout rusher for the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky University following his transfer from LSU, where he began his college career as a highly recruited four-star tight end. 

 In 2022, McClendon registered 58 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks in 12 games for the Colonels. While not overall eye-popping numbers, the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder showed outstanding athletic ability and was a disruptive force for the ASUN program.

To further detail McClendon and the fact that though he went undrafted, he was someone in demand, a report by the website heavy.com the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs offered McClendon a contract before signing with Tennessee. 

With the 2023 NFL Draft officially over, teams have kickstarted the frenzy of signing undrafted free agents to round out their rosters. During this period the Kansas City Chiefs attempted to sign an edge rusher but was blocked by the Tennessee Titans.

Kansas City offered Eastern Kentucky defensive end T.K. McLendon a contract but he opted to sign with the Tennessee Titans according to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on April 29. The New York Giants and Detroit Lions also offered McLendon a contract per Wilson.

The Titans added Arden Key during the first round of free agency to help address the loss of Bud Dupree. They will benefit from the return of Harold Landry from injury, though it is unknown just how immediately impactful Landry can be in his return to the field. Behind those two, Rashad Weaver and Sam Okuayunou comprise the projected second unit of rushers, while Zach McCloud is also currently on the roster. 

 While Key and a healthy, productive Landry are an outstanding team as starters, the depth is questionable. Of course, given the history of injuries this team has endured over the last two seasons, that depth could stand additions and upgrades if possible. 

McClendon, though raw, could be in line to provide that depth and be a possible upgrade to the bottom portion of this unit in 2023.   

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